Who doesn't love a good snack? Our homemade vegan granola bars are the perfect, easy-to-make treat that's both yummy and healthy. Just a few simple ingredients and you're set!
Being mindful of our snack choices is crucial to dodge those unhealthy cravings. Over eight years of embracing a plant-based lifestyle, we've navigated the challenges of finding vegan alternatives for everyday favorites, especially snacks.
The quest for vegan-friendly snacks often hits a roadblock with store-bought granola bars, as they're either non-vegan or packed with sugar and unhealthy fats.
This led us to create our own granola bars at home, focusing on whole, plant-based ingredients. The result? Delicious, healthy, and incredibly easy-to-make granola bars. Dive into the recipe below and snack smart!
This recipe was inspired by the recipe featured in our How to Make Granola Bars and our gluten-free granola recipe on this site.
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💚 Why you will love them
- Easy to make
- Healthy ingredients
- Deliciously vegan
- Perfectly crunchy
- Customizable flavors
🧾 Ingredients
Based on what ingredients you have on hand, just a few kitchen essentials are required, which can be easily swapped out as needed.
- Dates and dried fruit
- Almonds
- GF Rolled oats
- Salted peanut butter
- Seeds
- Coconut flakes
- Maple syrup
See the recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions
| Original Ingredient | Suggested Substitution |
|---|---|
| Dates and dried fruit | Raisins or dried apricots |
| Almonds | Walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, or almond pulp leftovers from making homemade almond milk |
| Gluten-free rolled oats | Spelt or regular rolled oats |
| Salted peanut butter | Almond or cashew butter |
| Sesame and poppy seeds | Flax or chia seeds |
| Coconut flakes | Shredded coconut |
| Maple syrup | Date paste, unsweetened applesauce, agave, or coconut nectar |
🔪 Instructions
Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Line the baking pan with parchment paper and bake rolled oats and almonds for 15 minutes. (optional)
Step 2: Pit dates.
Hint: Baking oatmeal and nuts will add an extra crunch and toasted flavor note, but it is unnecessary. If you are looking for no-bake granola bars, this recipe also works. Just skip step 1.
Step 3: Blend dates with dried cranberries in a food processor until you have a thick ball.
Step 4: Mix and blend the toasted oats and almonds and pulse for a few seconds. This will create a base of chopped almonds and oats.
Step 5: Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add wet ingredients like maple syrup and peanut butter (or almond butter). Then add the poppy seeds, sesame seeds, and coconut flakes. Use a wooden spoon to fold the granola mixture thoroughly.
Step 6: Spread the granola bar mixture onto the baking tray lined with parchment paper, cover it with another piece, and firmly press down using the bottom of a glass.
Step 7: Freeze for 20 minutes. Next, lift the parchment paper edges to remove the granola mixture and move it to a cutting board. Score with a knife's tip for even-sized bars before cutting.
Remember that the nutrition serving in this recipe is calculated on a base of 12 granola bars.
💡 Expert tips
For flawless results, every time with your recipe, consider these expert tips:
For the best binding, ensure your dates are fresh and sticky; if they seem dry, soak them in warm water for a few minutes before blending.
Toasting your oats and nuts can enhance the flavors significantly, but watch closely to prevent burning.
Precise measurement of the wet ingredients is key to achieving the perfect consistency and preventing the bars from becoming too crumbly or sticky.
Chill the bars thoroughly before cutting to ensure clean, even slices and to maintain their shape.
Add a pinch of salt to the mixture; it can help amplify the sweet and nutty flavors of the ingredients.
📖 Variations
For Nut-Free Bars: Swap almonds with pepitas, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds, using equal amounts. You may omit the baking step or bake for just 5 minutes to prevent burning. Substitute peanut butter with unsweetened coconut flakes and/or chocolate chips to maintain the bars' structure and stickiness. Consider adding rice cereal for extra bulk.
Chocolate Addition: Incorporate ½ cup of vegan mini chocolate chips for a chocolatey twist. Opt for vegan, dairy-free dark chocolate chips to keep it healthy, though be mindful of the added calories.
Enhancing Flavor:
- Vanilla Extract: A teaspoon can add a delightful aroma, enriching the bars' flavor profile. Orange and almond extract are also some of our favorites.
- Spices: Spice things up with ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for an instant flavor boost.
✅ 12 reasons for making your homemade granola bars
- Easily make your own and play with fun flavors.
- Take complete control of what comes into your mouth instead of trusting what comes in that packaging—something that is hard to control with store bars.
- Keep binges in line.
- Customize your flavors easily.
- Make them even if you are missing any types of ingredients.
- Use readily available mainstream ingredients.
- Adjust your budget accordingly.
- Make different kinds depending on your needs (i.e., morning energy, post-workout protein)
- Make them without failing (it’s tough to have them wrong)
- Quickly make them.
- Easily to store
- Make sure they are vegan, with no ingredient scanning.
🥡 Storage
Store for up to a week in the refrigerator or up to 6 months in the freezer.
I like to freeze them in an airtight container, divided using parchment paper to avoid them from sticking.
Unthaw the bars in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.
📚 More healthy snack ideas
If you like these bars, you will also like our healthy vegan truffles, vegan protein cookies, no-bake homemade fig bars, 3-ingredient low-calorie protein balls, and no-bake pumpkin balls.
Relish the zing of a tempting mini blueberry muffin, with only 69 calories, and ready to serve in less than 25 minutes!
If you try any of these recipes, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
🎥 Video
📋 Recipe
Homemade Vegan Granola Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup oats rolled, Organic, Glute-Free
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup dates
- 2 oz dried fruit cranberries and raisins
- ¼ cup maple syrup or agave
- ¼ cup peanut butter salted, or almond or hazelnut butter
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds or chia, flax seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
Directions
- Heat oven to 350 ºF (175º C) and line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add your oats and almonds to a bare baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.
- Add dates and dried fruit to a food processor and blend until a ball is formed — ~15-20 seconds. It should be sticky.
- Add the toasted oats and almonds blend for 5 additional seconds
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the maple syrup, peanut butter, poppy and sesame seeds, and coconut flakes. Use a spoon to mix thoroughly.
- Transfer to the same parchment paper prepared baking pan used for baking and use a wooden spoon to disperse into an even layer. Cover with parchment paper and press down with a drinking glass to get the mixture packed tightly, preventing the granola bars from crumbling. Chill in the freezer for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the dish and chop into 12 bars. Store in a container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 2 months. They keep their shape best right out of the freezer or refrigerator.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
KIM MARIE EVANS
Hi, I was wondering if these bars are soft or hand, Because I don't have teeth to chew and if there was a way to make them soft so I could enjoy them without cutting my mouth apart. by the way thank you for the answer about the nuts for the veg parm sub it's my step mom thats allergic to walnuts.
Gus
Hi Kim, thank you for your comment. I am happy to help here.
These granola bars are more on the crunchy side. You can also try them, but skip the nut baking step and also blend the mixture in your food processor until the mix is soft enough.
Also, if you prefer a soft bar that is easier to chew, I recommend you try out our fig bars, which are chewy.
Hopefully, that helps! Don't hesitate to let us know how they turned out for you!
Sara Welch
This is such a delicious recipe and was the perfect way to start my day today! Hearty and flavorful; loved every bite!
Gus
I am glad you enjoyed it, Sara! Thanks for your review!
Elaine
I absolutely agree. Life wouldn't be the same without healthy snacks lol. Delicious bars!
Gus
We are on the same page! thumbs up for healthy snacks and granola bars!
Kris
My kids absolutely adored these! Super easy and tasty. 🙂 Will definitely make again!
Heather Johnson
saving these for later - i need to make granola bars this weekend and this is perfect
Gus
I am sure you will love them! These granola bars are super tasty!
rebecca
super delicious! love the substitution ideas and ways to customize them.
Jacque Hastert
These are a great way to start the day and even better for an after-school snack! I will be adding this to my must-make soon, as my kiddos love granola bars.
Carrie Robinson
These would make the perfect after school snack for my daughter! 🙂 Definitely trying this recipe soon.
Andrea
These look fantastic and I had no idea these were this easy to make. I have all the ingredients so will be making these ASAP!
Emily Flint
I made these with agave and chia seeds and everyone loved them! This was the perfect snack for my kiddo after school.
Taly
Buenisima opción para reemplazar las harinas y lo industrializado!
Gracias por compartir!
Cuando prepare mis barras de granola les cuento! =)
Saludos!!
Preethi
Beautiful pictures! Looks awesome!
Gus
Thank you Preethi. I am glad you like the pics!