Looking for an easy homemade alternative to store-bought granola bars? Look no further - these Chewy Trail Mix Oat Bars are soft, tender, and packed full of delicious and nutritious ingredients. They're incredibly easy to meal prep ahead of time as a morning breakfast bar or as a mid-day snack for an energy boost!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
If you love trail mix like I do, for its delightful blend of chewy and crunchy textures and flavours from nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, then you're going to love these oat bars. They're a personal favourite of mine and a huge hit with everyone who's given them a taste. What makes them such a huge hit?
- Wholesome, nutritious ingredients - crafted with nutrient-rich whole foods, these homemade granola bars stand apart from their store-bought counterparts, which are often filled with refined sugars and artificial additives.
- Versatile - use your favourite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits to create some unique flavours and textures. No need to stick to the ones I use - it's totally customizable to you and what you have at home!
- Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free? No problem! Easily tailor the recipe with a few easy ingredient swaps to suit your dietary preferences.
- Kid-friendly fun - this recipe is a hit with kids, and its simplicity invites them to join in on the kitchen fun. Let them lend a hand in creating these delectable treats!
- No-bake convenience - no need to turn on the oven and heat up the kitchen with this one! These bars require no baking, making the preparation process a breeze.
- Irresistibly delicious: despite their simplicity, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how much flavour these bars can pack. I'm warning you now - they can be very addictive!
Ingredients
Please see recipe card below for exact quantities.
- Oats - use old-fashioned rolled oats for a chewier texture, although quick oats can also work here. Just steer clear of steel-cut oats as they are not compatible with this recipe.
- Nuts - I'm using almonds and cashews, but you can use whatever you like. Roughly chop them so they stick together easier.
- Seeds - I'm using a blend of pumpkin, sunflower, and hemp seeds - but use your favourites!
- Dried fruits - for some chewy sweetness. Raisins and dried cranberries are my choice here, but chopped dried apricots and dried blueberries also work great!
- Chocolate chips - to add a little bit of chocolatey goodness. Mini chocolate chips work best here!
- Ground cinnamon - for a bit of comforting spiciness.
- Salt - to enhance the flavours and make them pop.
- Honey - while honey is my preferred choice, any sticky sweetener like maple syrup or agave nectar will work great too.
- Nut butter - I'm a fan of using natural peanut butter, but feel free to experiment with almond or cashew butter. For a nut-free alternative, consider seed butters such as sunflower seed butter. Just ensure they possess a runny and drippy consistency for easy mixing.
- Coconut oil - a great binding agent to help all of the different ingredients stick together, while delivering a yummy coconut taste. You can also use unsalted butter instead (if using salted butter, just exclude the extra salt from the recipe).
- Vanilla extract - a splash for some delicious vanilla flavour.
Instructions
STEP 1: Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and give it a mix.
STEP 2: Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients (making sure to melt the coconut oil first). Mix thoroughly until well combined.
STEP 3: Line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking tray with parchment paper. Clip the edges in place with binder clips to prevent it from shifting.
STEP 4: Pour the mixture into the baking tray, and flatten it with a spatula. Make sure to press it down firmly to remove any air gaps. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
STEP 5: When it's ready, remove the trail mix mixture from the baking tray and place it onto a cutting board. It should be hardened and firm.
STEP 6: Slice it into squares or rectangular bars in your preferred size. I typically cut this into 12 square bars. Enjoy!
Storage
You can store the bars in the refrigerator for up to one week, or freeze them for up to three months. Use an airtight container with a sealable lid to preserve their freshness and prevent freezer burn. My personal go-to containers for these bars (and all my meal prep) are these Rubbermaid containers, which I love for their sealable, stackable lids and for being freezer-safe.
Toasty's Tips
- Ensure the mixture is firmly pressed into the baking tray to eliminate any air pockets, which helps bind the ingredients into a densely packed bar. A flat spatula works well, or for added pressure, you can layer a strip of parchment paper on top of the mixture and press down firmly with the base of a mason jar.
- Secure the parchment paper to the baking tray edges using binder clips to prevent shifting during pouring and pressing.
- Make sure to combine the dry ingredients first before incorporating the wet ingredients to ensure even distribution.
- Boost the nutrition - use your favourite superfoods such as chia seeds or flaxseed, or consider adding supplements for an extra nutritional boost.
- For dietary customization, opt for gluten-free oats for a GF version, substitute maple syrup for honey to make it vegan, or use seed butter instead of nut butter for a nut-free alternative. The recipe is highly adaptable to suit various dietary preferences.
FAQ
I added some mix-ins and now it's too difficult to mix. What should I do?
If the mixture becomes overly thick and difficult to mix by hand, you may have added too many dry ingredients (protein powder, as an example). Simply adjust the consistency by adding a splash of milk, honey, or nut butter. Gradually introduce small amounts at a time, mixing thoroughly until you achieve the desired texture.
Do I really need to refrigerate these before cutting into them? I don't want to wait!
Indeed, it's crucial to allow the mixture to rest in the fridge for a minimum of 2-3 hours before slicing. This refrigeration period is where the magic occurs, as the mixture solidifies and binds together. It's a vital step in the process, so hang tight and don't cut into it prematurely!
My peanut butter and honey aren't drippy anymore. What do I do?
I recommend using recently opened nut or seed butter and honey, as they'll have a runny and drippy texture that makes it easy to mix with. However, bear in mind that nut butters and honey may solidify or crystallize over time, especially after being opened. If you encounter this issue, simply heat them gently before mixing them with the other ingredients. This will ensure a thinner consistency for smoother blending.
Other No-Bake Oat Bar Flavours to Try
Check out these other easy and delicious No-Bake Oat Bar recipes:
📖 Recipe
No-Bake Chewy Trail Mix Oat Bars
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Dry ingredients
- 1.5 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup almonds - roughly chopped
- ½ cup raw cashews - roughly chopped
- 3 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon hemp hearts
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet ingredients
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil , melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, and give it a mix.
- Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients (making sure to melt the coconut oil first). Mix thoroughly until well combined.
- Line an 8x8 or 9x9 baking tray with parchment paper. Clip the edges in place with binder clips to prevent it from shifting.
- Pour the mixture into the baking tray, and flatten it with a spatula. Make sure to press it down firmly to remove any air gaps. Refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
- When it's ready, remove the trail mix mixture from the baking tray and place it onto a cutting board. It should be hardened and firm.
- Slice it into squares or rectangular bars in your preferred size. I typically cut this into 12 square bars. Enjoy!
Notes
- Video: Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here.
- Storage: You can store this away in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Use an airtight container with a sealable lid for freshness.
- Ensure the mixture is firmly pressed into the baking tray to eliminate any air pockets, which helps bind the ingredients into a densely packed bar. A flat spatula works well, or for added pressure, you can layer a strip of parchment paper on top of the mixture and press down firmly with the base of a mason jar.
- Customize the ingredients - use your own combination of your favourite nuts (1 cup), seeds (roughly ½ cup), and dried fruits (roughly ½ cup).
- For dietary customization, opt for gluten-free oats for a GF version, substitute maple syrup for honey to make it vegan, or use seed butter instead of nut butter for a nut-free alternative.
- Boost the nutrition - use your favourite superfoods such as chia seeds or flaxseed, or consider adding supplements for an extra nutritional boost.
- Make sure to combine the dry ingredients first before incorporating the wet ingredients to ensure even distribution.
- Secure the parchment paper to the baking tray edges using binder clips to prevent shifting during pouring and pressing.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO
You can find step-by-step video tutorials for all of my recipes on my YouTube Channel. There you'll find many more tips and tricks to help you along!
Nutrition
Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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