Today I’m so excited to show you how to make a delicious nut free granola bar. I’ve been told that these awesome homemade granola bars taste better than store-bought versions, and that’s from people without food allergies.
In addition to this being a nut-free granola bar recipe, these are also gluten-free granola bars, plus they’re top 9 free as well. That makes them incredibly inclusive which I call a real win. So, let’s jump in!
One of the critical wet ingredients in today’s recipe is a butter/spread. If you don’t have one, or are new to free-from living, this article details the options for nut butters, seed butters, legume butters, and tuber butters.
Allergy Status
Free From: Wheat/Gluten, Dairy, Egg, Soy, Tree Nut (including Coconut), Peanut, Fish, Shellfish, Sesame, Top 9 Allergens, Alliums, Apple, Avocado, Banana, Beans & Lentils, Berries, Buckwheat, Cane/Refined Sugar, Carrot, Celery, Cinnamon, Citrus, Corn, Cruciferous, Garlic, Latex Cross Reactive Foods (H/M), Legume, Lupin, Mushroom, Mustard, Nightshade, Onion, Pea & Pea Protein, Potato (Nightshade Variety), Poultry, Red Meat, Rice, Squash & Gourd, Stone Fruits, Strawberry, Sweet Potato & Yam, Tapioca/Cassava/Yuca/Manioc, Tomato, Yeast
Friendly To: EOE, Vegan
Compatible With: Seed Free
Seed Free: Omit the chia seed meal. If you have an alternative low-flavour nutrition-boosting powder available to you, include that instead.
Corn Free Reminder: Be sure to source truly corn free ingredients when making this granola bar recipe. It’s totally possible to source the proper materials. RAISE (membership site) has more resources on the topic.
Tools to Make This Nut-Free Granola Bar Recipe
- Kitchen Scale (this is the one that I love so much and I have 3 of them)
- Granola Bar Pan OR Parchment Paper + Baking Tray or Glass Baking Dish
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Large Fork (I use a serving fork to mix)
- Spoon OR Cookie Dough Scoop (if using the Granola Bar Pan)
- Large Spatula OR Offset Spatula (if using the tray/dish method)
Note: I cannot say enough good things about the Granola Bar Pan. In fact, I have 8 of them. If you want an authentic experience similar to store-bought granola bars, get yourself a couple of pans to start with. The pans are oven, dishwasher, and freezer safe. Plus, you can use them for your other favorite recipes including pancakes, muffins, and other baked goods.
Ingredients for This Nut Free Granola Bar Recipe
As you can see, the ingredient list today is pretty short. With just a handful of simple ingredients, you’re going to have a tasty top 9 free snack bar.
- 200g Organic Gluten Free Purity Protocol Rolled Oats
- 130g Spread of Choice (this article has info)
- 100g Chocolate Chips of Choice
- 100mL Organic Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp Organic Vanilla Extract (this is the brand I use)
- 2 TBSP Chia Seed Meal OR 4 TBSP Organic Chia Seeds
- Optional: 1 tsp Sea Salt
Important Ingredient Notes
Oats: I call for Purity Protocol gluten free oats which you won’t find at the average grocery store. Zego PP Oats are available in some locations, but if you’re gluten free, and don’t have a safe source of oats, order online.
If you’re not gluten free or managing a wheat allergy, you can use regular organic rolled oats.
Spread of Choice: You can use any spread in this recipe including sunflower seed butter, almond butter, chickpea butter, tiger nut butter (tuber, not a tree nut), and so on. Each spread/butter will have its own taste profile, so use one you enjoy.
Chocolate Chips: I suggest using mini top 9 free chocolate chips. I like the brands Pascha and Enjoy Life. If you have a brand you already enjoy, use them to your heart’s content.
Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is a liquid sweetener, and if you need to swap it, you have to use another liquid sweetener such as honey or brown rice syrup. There are other liquid sweetener options, and you can read all about them in this article. Know that you can’t use a granulated sweetener such as organic white cane sugar.
Sea Salt: If you’re a foodie at heart and want to have a little fun, use smoked salt instead of sea salt, or a 50/50 blend of the two.
More Delicious Homemade Nut-Free Granola Bars
- Enjoy Life Cocoa Loco Copycat Bars (gluten free + top 9 free)
- Raspberry White Chocolate Nut-Free Granola Bars (GF + top 9 free)
- Buckwheat Granola Bars (buckwheat is a seed, not a type of wheat, and these gars are oat free + gluten free + top 9 free + top 14 free + vegan)
- Baked Maple Banana Oat Squares
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Nut Free Granola Bar Recipe Directions
Get ready for super easy directions! Place a large bowl on your kitchen scale and tare to zero. Add all of the ingredients, except for the oats. Use a large fork to give the mix a very good stir. This ensures that the sweetener and optional salt are well distributed throughout your bars. This is a good time to preheat your oven to 350f/175c.
Now, put the bowl back on your scale, tare to zero, and add the oats. Mix again until all of the ingredients are well combined, and you’re ready to bake granola bars.
Next, line the bottom of a glass baking dish or large baking tray with parchment paper. This recipe is a good size for a small square baking dish (it can be glass, or a metal square baking pan). If you opt to scale up (something I often do) use a large rectangle glass baking dish, or a large baking tray if you have one. Alternatively, you can also use the Granola Bar Pan.
If you’re using the pan/dish/tray method, transfer the entire granola mixture to your baking vessel. Use a large serving spoon or large offset spatula to press the mixture into a flat even layer all over the pan. You can also cover the mix with parchment paper and use your hands or a rolling pin to spread the granola mixture out evenly.
If you’re using the Granola Bar Pan, scoop granola bar mixture into each cavity. Use your press to push down the mixture into the cavity so it spreads evenly.
Bake at 350f/175c for 20 minutes.
If you used the tray method, once the mix has cooled, slide the parchment paper off on to your counter. Use a sharp knife to cut into 12 bars.
This recipe makes 12 nut-free granola bars that are great for kids, adults, lunch boxes, a great snack, or even as a fantastic addition to an allergy friendly breakfast. These days, a lot of schools are asking families to send nut free snacks to school (some consider peanuts nuts even though they’re legumes). This nut free granola bar is a great school snack since it’s nut free, peanut free, and US top 9 free.
How to Store Your Delicious Nut Free Granola Bars
You have two choices when it comes to storing these tasty granola bars. First, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature. I don’t suggest storing these bars in the fridge.
Your second option is to store these in the freezer. This can allow you to batch cook and get ahead, which is what I often do. To freeze, line a large baking tray with parchment paper, then place a single layer of granola bars on the tray. Top with a large piece of parchment and add another layer. It’s OK if the sides of the bars are touching, but you want to prevent the tops and bottoms from touching so they don’t all stick together.
Once the bars have frozen solid, transfer them to an airtight container. If you’ll be using these as an afternoon snack or something of that nature at home, you can store them all together in a large baggie. If you’re adding these to lunch boxes, store them in a snack size freezer bag so you grab one and go.
For a super duper authentic experience, you can get baggies like these online for your bars. I do that sometimes when I feel like putting in a little extra effort for the kids. Either way, it takes about an hour for the bars to thaw completely from the freezer. However, my kids will tell you that a 60% frozen granola bar is the perfect snack.
How to Alter This Nut Free Granola Bar Recipe
I always encourage people to make a recipe as-is the first time, then the next time you make the recipe, have fun with it. By having a point of reference, you’ll know if your alterations went too far, or if they’re on point.
Altering these easy nut free bars can be helpful if you want to have a sense of variety, be it for road trips or daily lunches. These ideas only scratch the surface, so make sure you try your favorite add-ins as well.
If you don’t need peanut and nut-free options, here are some changes you can make to this nut free granola bar recipe:
Make peanut butter granola bars by using peanut butter as your spread of choice. You can also add a peanut butter chips in place of some of the chocolate chips to really reinforce the flavour.
Add crushed tree nuts that you enjoy. I once made these with sprouted crushed almonds for my kids, and they really enjoyed the added crunch.
Add 30g of your favourite protein powder that’s either chocolate based, vanilla based, or a flavour that will compliment the chocolate chips well.
If you’re packing these granola bars in nut free school lunches, or manage a nut allergy, here are some ideas to try next time:
Add small pieces of dried fruits. It’s important that the pieces are small so they don’t interfere with the binding ability of the other ingredients, but this is a fantastic way to add a pop of flavour.
Add up to 30g of organic freeze dried fruit powder. I like the brand Karen’s Naturals. They sell whole freeze dried fruits, as well as the powder. You could use either. If you opt for whole, you’ll still need to crush the pieces a bit so they aren’t too big. If the pieces are too big, they can interfere with the binding power of the other ingredients.
Use a mix of white chocolate chips and regular chocolate chips for a fun tweak.
Add 30g of your favourite protein powder that’s either chocolate based, vanilla based, or a flavour that will compliment the chocolate chips well.
Answering Your Questions About This Nut Free Granola Bar Recipe
Could I add sunflower seeds instead of chia seeds?
Swapping the chia seeds for sunflower seeds is a great way to incorporate different nutrients into your homemade granola bars. Rather than add whole sunflower seeds, you’ll want to crush them first. If you have a food processor, blitz them in it instead, and you’ll have awesome results.
If the pieces of sunflower seed are too big, they can disrupt the binding of your bar, which is why this recipe calls for chia seeds (they’re super small and won’t get in the way of anything). You can also purchase sunflower seed meal and use that instead.
Do these nut free bars have a chewy texture?
Based on what tasters have told me, these nut free granola bars could be called chewy bars. They say that there’s some crunch, a bit of a soft center, and overall, a chewy texture.
Can I use pumpkin seeds in place of the chia seeds?
Swapping for pumpkin seeds is a great way to incorporate different healthy fats in your homemade nut-free granola bars. Rather than add whole pumpkin seeds, you’ll want to crush them first. If you have a food processor, blitz them in it instead, and you’ll have awesome results.
If the pieces of pumpkin seed are too big, they can disrupt the binding of your bar, which is why this recipe calls for chia seeds (they’re super small and won’t get in the way of anything). You can also purchase pumpkin seed meal and use that instead.
Would this recipe taste good with melted coconut oil?
When making these nut free bars, I don’t suggest adding coconut oil unless you LOVE the taste. In terms of function, coconut oil won’t disrupt this recipe. When it sets after you allow the bars to cool, you’ll have some enhanced sticking/binding power.
One of my kids has a coconut allergy, so it’s not an ingredient that I work with often. I can’t tell you how much to use, so either use an amount that you know will work, or research other granola bar recipes that use coconut oil and see what a good ratio would be. Happy baking!
Are these healthy granola bars?
The term healthy isn’t a regulated term, and it’s always going to have a different meaning to each person you ask. If I were to instead ask if this recipe is a healthy alternative to store-bough granola bars, it would be a huge yes if you’re shopping at the average American grocery store.
If on the other hand, you shop at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and natural/organic grocery stores, you may be used to seeing loads of bars with healthy ingredients and this is average in comparison. It’s all about perspective.
Having said that, this nut free granola bar is made from wholesome ingredients, there’s no vegetable oils, there’s whole grains from the oats, and it’s not loaded down with five forms of sugar like some of the bars on the market. So, is it a healthy recipe? Sure. Should you eat 8 bars a day? Nope.
Ultimately, your unique dietary needs and personal food values will determine if this is a healthy recipe, so go with your gut. Har har. Don’t worry, I won’t quit my day job to become a comedian.
Can I swap the maple syrup for brown sugar?
No, you won’t be able to swap the maple syrup for brown sugar. Maple syrup is a liquid sweetener whereas brown sugar (along with white sugar, date sugar, etc.) is a granulated sweetener. They don’t perform the same.
In the case of this nut free granola bar recipe, the liquid sweetener is part of what holds it all together. If you change it for the wrong type of sweetener, your bars will be prone to falling apart/breaking.
Could the rolled oats be swapped for oat flour?
If you want the intended outcome of this original recipe, as pictured, no, you can’t swap the rolled oats for oat flour, coconut flour, almond flour, or any other kind of flour.
When you swap for flour, you’re headed towards a baked bar rather than a granola bar. When the oats are intact, you have a granola bar (think: store bought bags of granola, but eaten in bar form).
If you want to make a baked bar with flour instead, I’d suggest following a different recipe so you get the right ratios and the best results.
Do I have to use gluten-free oats?
If you don’t have Celiac Disease, a wheat allergy, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, or follow a gluten free (or wheat free) diet for any reason whatsoever, no, you don’t need to use certified gluten-free oats to make these bars.
I call for gluten free, purity protocol oats because my recipes are primary developed for those with food allergies and other dietary restrictions. Just make sure you’re using regular rolled oats and not another kind of oats like quick oats or steel cut oats, as they aren’t the same thing.
Can I make this recipe in a food processor?
No, to make this easy recipe, you’re going to want to mix by hand in a large bowl. Alternatively, you could scale up and use a stand mixer with your paddle attachment. Using a food processor would create more of a dough if you wanted baked bars rather than granola bars. The key difference is that in granola bars, the oats are still whole.
Baked snack bars are also awesome FYI. Also, if you’d like to try your hand at making granola butter (an alternative to sunflower butter etc.), you could put all of the ingredients into your food processor and keep it on until a spread forms. You may need to add a little milk of choice, but the end result would be epic.
Could I swap the oats for puffed millet or rice cereals?
With these ratios, puffed millet and puffed rice cereal, and crisp rice cereal won’t work. You’ll end up with bars that fall apart, and they won’t have the crunch that you’re looking for. I suggest searching online for recipes that meet your dietary needs and also use those ingredients as the base, rather than trying to convert a recipe.
What’s the best spread if I have peanut and tree nut allergies?
In this scenario, you’ll want to look into seed butters or tiger nut (tuber, not a tree nut) butter. Tiger nut has a natural deep, rich, and nutty flavour which you may really enjoy. However, gram for gram, it costs a lot more than seed butters which are a lot more common.
You won’t be able to purchase tiger nut butter at a local grocery store, so look online first. It’s the same issue with some seed butters as well. Not many manufacturers have nationwide distribution, nor the customer base to support that kind of operation.
This article has links to brands, and a lot more information on the topic.
