These Nut Free Granola Bars are the perfect snack for back to school! They're lightly sweetened, perfectly chewy and even dairy and gluten free.
I LOVE making homemade energy balls and granola bars because they are so easy to make and taste amazing! The only problem with homemade energy balls and granola bars is they typically contain peanut butter or some type of nut butter for binding. Lucky for you, these nut free granola bars are nut free (duh), but also gluten free (if you use gluten free oats) and they're even dairy free granola bars! Meaning they are perfect for those with food allergies or for anyone needing an ultimate nut-free back to school snack.
These peanut free granola bars are seriously the ultimate meal prep snack idea because they are SO easy! Seriously, all you need is 10 minutes of prep time and you'll have more than enough granola bars for the week. If you are looking for a recipe to get the kids involved and excited about food.. this is a great recipe to try!
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- They're cheaper than store bought granola bars. This is one of the key reasons I love making my own homemade version. These easy nut free snack bars were made using ingredients I already had on hand plus I got 12 bars out of them!
- They're more balanced snack options. As a dietitian, I don't always rely on food labels to dictate my food choices, but one of the things I'm always conscious of is added sneaky sugars in my diet. Granola bars can be a huge source of hidden sugars, which is why these lower sugar granola bars are the perfect option.
- They're customizable. Do you have a picky eater at home? These homemade healthy chocolate chip oatmeal bars can be customized to their liking.
Easy Nut Free Granola Bars Recipe
Ingredients, Swaps, & Tips
Oats: Like most granola bars, these are made with oats. Rolled oats, quick oats and minute oats will both work (I would recommend against using instant oats). If you are gluten free- ensure you are using certified gluten free oats for this recipe.
Sunflower seeds: These add zinc, folate and vitamin E, and a subtle crunch.If you are not a sunflower seed fan, feel free to substitute these with another seed or with more oats!
Flax seed: Make sure you use ground flax seed! They are amazing for digestion, helping to lower cholesterol levels, and help hold these bars together. You can substitute the flax seed with unsweetened or vanilla protein powder of choice!
Cinnamon: For flavor! If you aren't a cinnamon fan leave it out however I think it adds the best cozy taste.
Coconut oil: Our nut butter replacement in these nut free granola bars. I have not tested this with any other replacement but butter is usually a good replacement if you are not looking for dairy free granola bars.
Vanilla extract: For flavor! Artificial or natural vanilla extract both work here, so use whatever you have on hand.
Honey: For some natural sweetness. I find honey to be slightly more binding in recipes like these peanut free granola bars, however maple syrup will work as well if you are looking for a vegan substitute!
Eggs: Once again for binding!
Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut helps add flavour to these granola bars. However if you don't love coconut feel free to add more oats as a replacement!
Chocolate chips/ mix-ins: Use whatever your heart desires- m&ms, chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, dried fruit... the choice is yours!
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper (I'd recommend this over spraying with non stick cooking spray as it make the bars easier to remove).
- Add your coconut to a small pan over medium heat, stirring every few minutes. After about 2-3 minutes your coconut should begin to turn golden brown. Once this happens remove it from the heat! This step happens FAST and you don't want to burn it!
- Add all your ingredients to a medium bowl and stir! To make it easier I'd recommend adding your wet ingredients first, mixing then following with your dry ingredients and mix-ins! note the mix will be crumbly!
- Once everything is mixed, pour the mixture into your prepared pan, PRESS down (this is important to ensure the mixture stays together I like to use the back of a spatula) and bake for about 22-25 minutes or until the top begins to turn light brown.
- Allow your bars to cool then slice into your desired size granola bars.
Substitutions
Gluten Free
Ensure you are using certified gluten-free oats! I recommend also ensuring that all mix-ins are also gluten-free.
Dairy Free
Ensure all your mix-ins are dairy free!
Nut Free
These bars are naturally nut free!
Variations
- These nut free granola bars are amazing because they are so customizable! Use whatever mix-ins you love or have on hand! M&Ms, chocolate chips, chocolate chunks, and dried fruit are all great options!
Equipment
Storage
Store these nut free granola bars in an airtight container on the counter for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to 7 days or in the freezer up to 3 months.
Top Tips for Success
Press the mixture into the pan as much as possible- this is key to getting your bars to stick together and not be crumbly after baking!
Frequently Asked Questions
A question I had to confirm for myself. The answer is.... nope! Despite the name coconut is not considered a true tree nut as it is a drupe fruit. This means that it does not contain nut proteins however if you are someone that suffers from nut allergies I would recommend checking with your doctor before consuming!
More Easy Meal Prep Snack Ideas From a Dietitian
If you love these nut free granola bars you NEED to try these other meal prep snack ideas...
- Chocolate chip cookie bars
- One bowl banana bread oatmeal cups
- Chickpea veggie fritters
- Oatmeal cookie energy balls
- Quinoa egg muffins
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these nut free granola bars, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Nut Free Granola Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
- 2 medium eggs
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted and cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups oats rolled, quick or minute all work
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup flax seed ground
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup chocolate chips or mix-ins of choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 8x8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- (optional step)Toast your coconut flakes by adding them to a small pan over medium heat and stirring occasionally. After about 2-3 minutes your coconut should begin to brown. When this happens remove from heat ASAP (or it will burn)!
- To a medium bowl, add your eggs, honey, coconut oil and vanilla extract and stir.
- To the same bowl, add oats, sunflower seeds, toasted coconut, ground flax seed, salt and cinnamon and mix until combined. Add your mix-ins and stir again. (the mixture will be crumbly).
- Press oat mixture into your prepared baking pan using the back of a spatula, sprinkle with additional chocolate chips if desired and bake for 22-25 minutes or until the top begins to brown slightly. Remove from oven, allow to cool and slice into about 16 even granola bar bites (or 8 larger bars perfect for breakfast).
Natalie Strachan says
Delicious, and easy to flatten in the baking dish unlike many other recipes I've tried. Will definitely be making again soon, thank you!!
Sarah Merette says
Hello - tastes delicious but falls apart completely like granola instead of a bar - I live in Singapore so maybe the weather contributes but is there a solution to having this hold up?
Nicole Addison says
Hi Sarah- it sounds like you need to add more moisture! I recommend increasing the amount of honey.
Mallory says
So delicious and my kids love them! Definitely will be making them regularly and pack them in my kid’s lunches since they’re nut free!