Granola bars are a classic snack food.  My girls and I love these no bake granola bars because they are so versatile.  You can eat them for breakfast, lunch, or an afternoon snack.  When you make your own, you know exactly what ingredients are in there.  Since you didn’t add any high fructose corn syrup or preservatives into the mix, they are much healthier for you.

Another great reason to make your own granola bars is you can customize them.  All you need is a basic understanding of what goes into a granola bar.  I’ve broken it down to 6 categories: base, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, binder, sweeteners, and spices.  Pick and choose what ingredients you want in each category.

Are you feeling super healthy?  Are you craving anything citrusy?  Do you want a lot of nuts and seeds in there?  These no bake citrus granola bars have a delightful orange flavor from the orange juice and orange zest.  I like to serve this to my girls as an afternoon snack with a glass of water.  Be creative.  Have fun making a batch of granola bars that are what you exactly want.

Love this recipe?  Check out these other delicious snack recipes!

Lemon Zest Roasted Chickpeas (a crunchy snack that’s high in protein, fiber, and iron)

Holiday Spiced Nuts (a sweet and spicy combo of roasted nuts)

Boiled Peanuts (an overnight method for this classic Southern snack)

No Bake Citrus Granola Bars

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• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: 12 bars

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Description

No bake citrus granola bars are an easy, healthy snack that’s packed with protein to give you energy!  Oatmeal, peanuts, dried fruit, and a hint of orange makes these chewy, gluten free bars a tempting snack.  Feel free to change them up to your tastes.

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Ingredients

Base

• 2 cups quick oats (160g)

Dried Fruit

• 1 cup raisins (150g)
• 1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries (60g)

Nuts and Seeds

• 1 cup roasted peanuts, crushed lightly (150g)
• 1/2 cup sweetened dried coconut, shredded (38g)
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed (26g)

Extra Add Ins

• Zest of one medium orange, such as Minneola

Binder

• scant 1/2 cup liquid coconut oil (100g)
• scant 1/2 cup liquid honey (150g)

Sweeteners

• 2/3 cup brown sugar, packed (150g)
• 1 tablespoon orange juice

Spices

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon salt (optional)

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Instructions

1. Line the base and sides of a 9 by 9-inch pan with a sheet of parchment paper.
2. Crush the peanuts by placing 1/3 cup of them in a sandwich bag.  Lightly bang with a rolling pin until the peanuts are the size you want.  Repeat the process until all the peanuts are crushed.
3. In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
4. In a medium sized bowl, mix the wet ingredients together, then pour into the dry ingredient bowl.  If the coconut oil has solidified, warm it up in the microwave to turn into a liquid.  Thoroughly mix all the ingredients together with a large spoon.
5. Dump the granola mixture into the prepared pan.  Press the mixture into the pan using your fingers and the bottom of a glass to really compact it.
6. Cover with foil and place in the fridge for at least two hours so the bars can harden.
7. Lift the granola bars out of the pan and cut the square of granola in half with a sharp knife.  Cut each half into 1 1/4 inch bars.
8. Store the bars in the fridge.  Enjoy them as a snack or a dessert replacement.

Notes

• These bars are best stored in the fridge, since they soften quickly.  If you plan on taking them in your lunch, wrap it in plastic wrap or put in a snack-sized Ziploc bag.