Gluten Free Chewy Playgroup Granola Bars
Perfect for busy mornings, snack time, or post-playgroup energy boosts, these Gluten-Free Chewy Playgroup Granola Bars are a wholesome treat that’s as versatile as it is delicious. Packed with nutrient-dense gluten-free rolled oats, crispy rice cereal, and naturally sweetened with honey, these bars strike the perfect balance between chewy and satisfying. The recipe offers customizable mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or chopped nuts to cater to your family’s preferences. Better yet, they’re nut-free friendly with the option of sunflower seed butter, making them ideal for allergy-conscious households. With just 10 minutes of prep time and no baking required, these easy homemade granola bars are the ultimate grab-and-go snack for kids and adults alike.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup crispy gluten-free rice cereal
- 0.75 cup almond butter (or sunflower seed butter for nut-free option)
- 0.5 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 0.25 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
- 0.25 cup chopped nuts or seeds (optional)
Instructions
Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides for easy removal. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine gluten-free rolled oats and crispy gluten-free rice cereal. If using mix-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or nuts, stir them into the dry mixture now.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine almond butter, honey, and coconut oil. Stir frequently until the mixture is completely melted and smooth, around 2-3 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt.
Pour the warm almond butter mixture over the oats and cereal mixture. Use a spatula to mix everything together thoroughly until the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. It’s important to compact it well to ensure the bars hold together once set.
Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or until the mixture is firm enough to slice.
Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the granola bar block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut it into 12 bars or desired shapes.
Store the granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They can also be individually wrapped in parchment paper for grab-and-go snacks.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3472 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 176.2 g | 226% | |
| Saturated Fat | 45.1 g | 226% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 1373 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 417.0 g | 152% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 45.9 g | 164% | |
| Total Sugars | 170.5 g | ||
| Protein | 83.2 g | 166% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 632 mg | 49% | |
| Iron | 30.4 mg | 169% | |
| Potassium | 2455 mg | 52% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
