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No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars (V+GF): Soft and chewy granola bars that taste just like an oatmeal raisin cookie. An easy Vegan and Gluten Free recipe made with whole ingredients.
Oh life, how did we get here? What culinary sorcery has led to these No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars?
Well, there’s a story. Isn’t there always a story? 😉
Confession time: When I was a little kid, I thought oatmeal raisin cookies were made to trick us kids into eating healthy foods. In my young mind, these cookies were the equivalent of spinach muffins or, worse… carrot cake. Just–I know, I know, I was also wrong about the carrot cake. But, come on! If the word “carrot” was in there, how could it be a real dessert?
Anyway, it was during elementary school field trips that I was forced to encounter these so-called trick cookies. The teachers would get all of us kids lined up in a row, then point us towards a huge spread of semi-mysterious, crinkly brown paper bags that we were to choose from.
All I knew was that I really, really hoped I would get the “good” bag, which was filled with Cheetos, a grilled cheese sandwich and a chocolate chip cookie. I just hoped and wished as hard as I could that I wouldn’t get the “bad” bag, which was filled with apple chips, a veggie sandwich and, wait for it…
An oatmeal cookie.
Guuuurl, those were the un-fun bags. The kind adults wanted to pick.
Yuck!
Well, one fateful day, I got stuck with one of these Healthy But Totally Gross lunch bags.
Sighing, but dutifully resigned, I sat down with one of these bags, pushed my sleeves up and wiped my fingers over my glasses to clear them out. After all, this was business. Healthy, non-fun business.
I ate the sando, because, well, what choice did I really have? I munched on the apple chips… which were surprisingly good (make that Item #3 on the list of Foods I Was Wrong About). And then, it was time for The Oatmeal Cookie.
As I peeled the wax paper sleeve open, I caught a big whiff of something homey, something sweet.
The cookie stared at me. And I stared at the cookie.
I thought, why not? Kids like me were supposed to go on adventures and take big risks. What bigger risk could I take than to eat this trick cookie?
I took a bite. And immediately, the cinnamon, the sugar and all of those juicy raisins brought happiness to my mouth. With every chew, I became convinced that the real trick these adults were trying to pull was letting us kids believe these cookies weren’t good. How rude! How deceiving! (I was not a trusting child.)
Well, I knew better now.
And to this day, I first decline, then double-back whenever I’m offered an oatmeal raisin cookie. After all, I’m a savvy adult now. I finally know better. 😉
When you bite into one of these no bake oatmeal raisin granola bars, you’ll know immediately how incredibly wrong I was about those oatmeal raisin cookies. In fact, you probably already knew that, you smart cookie, you.
Now, don’t tell any of the kids in your vicinity, but *whispers* I actually made this guy nice and healthy. But, shhhh! Let’s not scare them off! After all, it’s our duty as adults to trick them into eating better. Right?
Let me *quietly* tell you all about them. These No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars are:
- soft and chewy like a trick cookie an oatmeal raisin cookie
- so incredibly easy to make
- made with simple, whole ingredients
- vegan and gluten free
- nutritiously packed with protein and vitamins
- a super convenient snack
If you already love oatmeal raisin cookies, you’re probably already drooling over these. If you’re like the little beaming baker, prepare to be blown away.
After all, who doesn’t need a bit of culinary adventure in their lives?
Healthy Granola + Granola Bars We Love
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- Dairy Free Oatmeal Cookies
No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free)
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups gluten free rolled oats
- ½ cup homemade gluten free oat flour*
- ½ cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 flax eggs, whisk together 2 tablespoons ground flax + 6 tablespoons warm water, let set for 15 mins
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ½ cup natural, unsalted almond butter or peanut butter
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Add-in Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raisins
- ½ cup chopped walnuts, optional, or other toppings
Instructions
- Line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients: oats, flour, coconut, cinnamon and salt.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the wet ingredients: flax eggs, coconut oil, nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to fold the ingredients together until well combined. Fold in raisins and walnuts.
- Pour into the prepared baking pan. Spread granola bar mixture into an even layer, pressing down until tightly packed and smooth.
- Place baking pan in freezer for 15-20 minutes, or in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Remove from the freezer/refrigerator. Grab the paper liner and lift the bars out of the baking pan. Set onto an even surface and slice into 18 bars. Enjoy!
Notes
- Storing at room temperature: These bars will be slightly soft, but still firm at room temperature. If you’re bringing these as a snack, make sure to store them in a hard container, like a Tupperware.
- *To make homemade oat flour: place rolled oats into a blender. Blend until you get a just slightly grainy flour. Remember: 1 cup of rolled oats does not equal 1 cup of oat flour. You’ll need to blend more rolled oats to create less flour- the oats decrease in volume as you turn it into a flour. It’s easiest to blend up a big batch of oat flour, and just scoop out what’s needed for any recipe.
- Adapted from my Good Morning Breakfast Cookies.
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If you enjoy the ingredients in these no bake oatmeal raisin granola bars, you just might love my Good Morning Breakfast Cookies (Vegan + Gluten Free).
What better way to channel your inner kid than with this Protein-Rich Strawberry Peanut Butter Smoothie? 🙂
Question of the Day
What food did you dislike as a kid, but find yourself enjoying as an adult?
I can’t wait to hear your responses.
I made these and they are very good but I am concerned about the raw eggs in this recipe?
Hi Jackie, I’m so happy you enjoyed these! As for the raw eggs, my recipe calls for 2 flax eggs. There’s nothing to worry about when you whip these up–they’re made of ground flaxseed and water. Hope this helps! 🙂
I apologize but I am not familiar with flax eggs I used 2 eggs wisked together with the ground flax and warm water -is that not the same thing?
There’s no need to apologize at all, Jackie! I’m sorry that you had to go through this experience. In vegan baking, flax “eggs” are used as a substitute for chicken eggs. So, any time a recipe calls for “flax eggs”, it means you’ll be whisking together warm water and ground flaxseeds to create an egg-like mixture. The flax “eggs” are used as a great binding ingredient in vegan baking–so as to avoid the use of chicken eggs. So sorry for the misunderstanding, Jackie. Hopefully you’ll be able to give this recipe another try without the eggs. 😉
i felt the same way about “healthy” cookies and muffins when i was a kid lol
these look great! thanks for sharing 🙂
Could I sub in sunflower butter instead of almond or peanut butter? My girls aren’t allowed to habe any nuts/nut butters at school.
Hi Elisa, sunflower butter should work. I’ve never tried it myself, but this recipe is somewhat flexible. After you’ve made the batter, if it’s too dry, you can add in more sunflower butter or maple syrup. Let me know how it turns out! Thanks for stopping by!
I make a lot of breakfast bars and I wanted to tell you that these are the best ones I have ever made. I am looking forward to eating them everyday this week! And I am sure again next week 🙂
That’s so wonderful to hear Ali! 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how you enjoyed them. –> Enjoyed being the operative word! Yay!! Yup, these really do keep well throughout the week–they’re a big hit in my family. I made a chocolate chip version too. Hope to see you again soon! 🙂
You had me at no bake! I am not a good baker, so this is right up my alley! I love granola bars, but the store bought kind can not compare to homemade. The addition of raisins sounds delicious, but the best part is that you made it CHEWY! Who wants a hard granola bar? LOVE THIS!
Oh, haha. But I seriously doubt that you’re not a good baker. Come on, Amanda! 😉 So true on the chewy factor. Thanks so much for stopping by!
You seriously made me smile with your story about the enounter with the oatmeal cookie! I think I kinda felt the same way, but I knew it was still a cookie – so it must be ok 😉 I haven’t had much luck with granola bars, so I can’t wait to try these!
Aw, that’s wonderful to hear Megan. I’m so glad. 🙂 Good logic! Some of us weren’t so smart. Hehe. If you do try them, be sure to let me know how you like them. 🙂 Thanks Megan!
Ohmigosh, Demeter! You turned my favorite cookie into a gorgeous granola bar! I cannot wait to make these.
Yay for oatmeal cookies being your favorite cookie! 🙂 If you do, let me know how it turns out. Thanks Kelsie! So glad you’re here. 🙂
Oh wow! These look SO GOOD! Basically the ideal thing to have as a snack! Will have to give them a try! 🙂
Yes! Thanks Kerry! Nice to meet ya. 🙂
Haha, love the story. I can totally relate to how you felt about oatmeal cookies as a child. Oatmeal raisin granola bars looks like an amazingly delicious and healthy way to relish the oatmeals. Love they are vegan and gluten-free. Now I want them so badly in my life!
Aw, thanks Anu! 🙂 Yep, I’m always looking for delicious ways to eat oatmeal– plain just doesn’t cut it. Haha. Thanks so much. Sending you a big, virtual stack. xoxo. 🙂
First of all, I just LOVE your stories! And second, I have never heard of that lunch bag thing!! I have to think about that one some more, but in the meantime since it led to these gorgeous baked oatmeal bars of scrumptiousness it definitely has a silver lining – pinning!! Happy happy Tuesday to you, my delicious friend!
Thank you so much Kate!! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. 🙂 Really? Maybe it was just the “delightful” school I went to. lol. Probably those mystery bags are up there with mystery lunch meat. haha. Love you positive attitude! Thanks so much Kate. Have a great week!