These delicious vegan granola bars are made with wholesome ingredients like oats, almond butter, and maple syrup. They’re super quick and easy to make, and perfect for packing in school or work lunches, or for an easy grab and go breakfast or snack.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.
One of the biggest challenges of following a plant-based diet is finding good, nutritious snack options. Most processed snack foods are full of oils, high fructose corn syrup, and lots of chemical ingredients.
Sure we can always grab a piece of fruit, some raw veggies, or some nuts, but when you’re wanting a little something more, these baked vegan granola bars are a perfect option.
In addition to being easy to make, they’re are full of healthy plant based ingredients, are gluten-free, and are naturally sweetened with maple syrup. They’re also easy to customize with your favorite healthy add-ins.
With beta glucan from the healthy oats (a soluble fiber that helps lower LDL cholesterol), plant based protein from the almond butter, and Omega 3 fatty acids from flax seeds, these bars are a perfect snack for any time of day!
The only downside to these bars is that they do crumble a little bit. But I’ve noticed this same issue with crunchy granola bars from the store, and the crumbles don’t take away from the deliciousness of this recipe.
Ingredients in these baked granola bars
- Rolled oats
- Oat flour – you can substitute with other flour such as whole wheat flour, buckwheat flour,
- Chopped almonds – or other nuts
- Ground flax seed
- Salt
- Almond butter – or other nut or seed butter
- Maple syrup – can be substituted with brown rice syrup, agave nectar, or honey (if you’re not vegan)
- Vanilla
Variations
Customize this recipe to make your favorite flavored granola bars by adding in up to a half cup of a mixture of your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or chocolate chips. You can also vary the flavor by using your favorite spices and extracts.
Some great add-ins are:
- Pumpkin seeds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Peanuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Coconut
- Chopped dates
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
- Chopped dried apricots
- Dried cherries
- Dried apple
- Mini vegan chocolate chips
- Vegan white chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Orange zest
How to make homemade granola bars
In a medium sized bowl, mix together the rolled oats, oat flour, ground flax seed, almonds, and salt.
In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, almond butter and vanilla.
Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until fully combined.
Line an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Transfer the granola mixture into the pan, and press firmly. This is easiest to do by placing another piece of parchment on top of the granola and pressing down with a measuring cup or even your hands. The firmer it is pressed together, the better your granola bars will hold together.
Bake at 350° F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are lightly brown.
Allow to cool completely.
For chocolate drizzle, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring between each heating, until the chocolate chips are melted. Drizzle over the cooled granola bars.
Cut into bars or squares and enjoy!
Tips and tricks for making these baked vegan granola bars:
- To make them gluten free, be sure to use gluten free oats.
- For nut-free bars, use sunflower butter instead of the almond butter, and use seeds or other nut free add ins.
- If the mixture seems too wet, add a bit more oats or flour.
- Add a little more liquid sweetener or nut butter if the mixture is too dry.
- Be sure to press the granola bar mixture as firmly as possible in the pan. You can do this with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, and a spatula around the edges.
- For easy removal from the pan, allow the parchment paper to hang over the edges just a bit.
- Don’t go overboard on the add-ins or the bars will not hold together as well.
How to store them
These granola bars will keep in an air tight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also store them in the refrigerator for over a week.
They also freeze beautifully! Wrap the individual bars in parchment or plastic wrap, and then store place them in a Ziploc bag or air tight container. They will keep in the freezer for 2 to 3 months.
Looking for more plant based snacks?
- Blueberry Oat Bars
- Oil Free Waffle Fries
- Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gingerbread Popcorn
- Vegan Carrot Muffins
- Oil Free Vegan Granola
- Vegan Chili Cheese Fries
- Homemade Baked French Fries
- Vegan Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Vegan Chocolate Mug Cake
- Vegan Cheesy Fiesta Potatoes
- Oil Free Vegan Donuts
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a rating and feedback below. It only takes a few seconds, but helps other visitors to my site. Thank you for taking the time to leave your comment!
And come join our Oil Free Vegan Recipes and Support Facebook group, where you can share your favorite oil free vegan recipes, and give and receive support on your plant based journey.
Vegan Granola Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ cup oat flour
- 4 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- ¼ cup chopped raw almonds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup chocolate chips for drizzle
Instructions
- Preheat oven to a 350° F.
- In a medium sized bowl, mix together the rolled oats, oat flour, ground flax seed, almonds, and salt.
- In a small bowl, combine the maple syrup, almond butter and vanilla.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until fully combined.
- Line an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Transfer the granola mixture into the pan, and press firmly. This is easiest to do by placing another piece of parchment on top of the granola and pressing down with a measuring cup or even your hands. The firmer it is pressed, the better your granola bars will hold together.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are lightly brown.
- Allow to cool completely.
- For chocolate drizzle, place chocolate chips in a small bowl. Heat in the microwave for 15 seconds at a time, stirring between each heating, until the chocolate chips are melted. Drizzle over the cooled granola bars.
- Cut into bars or squares and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition calculations are approximate.
Pin to save for later:
