Homemade Vegan Granola Bars Recipe

I just whipped up these homemade vegan granola bars, and let me tell you, they’re like a crunchy hug full of almonds, cranberries, and a hint of maple sweetness that’ll make you want to skip your morning coffee. Plus, adding dark chocolate chips was the ultimate chef’s kiss moment; these bars are the perfect companion for my on-the-go lifestyle!

I enjoy making these nutritious vegan granola bars. I pack them with good stuff (really): rolled oats, almonds, and dried cranberries.

There’s a comforting blandness to those ingredients that makes you think you’re a good person for eating them. They’re high in fiber, and the good fats come from the pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.

Almond butter serves as the glue, and it’s really the first time I’ve liked almond butter—maybe because it has no vanilla enhancement. The maple syrup is the second thing that makes these taste good.

Homemade Vegan Granola Bars Recipe Ingredients

• Rolled oats: Rich in fiber, they support digestion and provide lasting energy.
• Almonds: Packed with healthy fats and protein, they add crunch and nutrition.
• Dried cranberries: Provide sweetness and antioxidants, enhancing flavor and health.
• Pumpkin seeds: High in magnesium and zinc, they boost immunity and heart health.
• Sunflower seeds: Offer vitamin E and healthy fats, promoting skin and heart health.
• Almond butter: Creamy and protein-rich, it binds ingredients while adding thickness.
• Maple syrup: Natural sweetener with antioxidants, lends a rich caramel flavor.

Homemade Vegan Granola Bars Recipe Ingredient Quantities

Here is a list of ingredients for Homemade Vegan Granola Bars:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup almonds, roughly chopped
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup almond butter
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

How to Make this Homemade Vegan Granola Bars Recipe

1. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and take a 9×9 inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper so that the paper hangs over the sides. This will help you get the brownies out of the pan after they are baked.

2. In a large mixing bowl, blend together the rolled oats, almonds, dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds. She stir until the blend is completely mixed.

3. In a small saucepan over low heat, blend the almond butter and maple syrup. Stir continuously until the blend is smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, and then blend in the cinnamon and salt.

4. Over the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl, pour the almond butter mixture. Using a spatula, stir until everything is evenly coated.

5. When using chocolate chips, allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding them. Then, gently fold the chips into the mixture.

6. Pour the mingled to blend into the prepared baking dish. Utilize either a spatula or your hand to press the mixture into a firm, even layer.

7. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are dark brown.

8. Take the granola bar pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. This will take about 1 hour.

9. After it has cooled completely, use the parchment overhang to lift the granola block from the pan. Put it on a cutting board and slice it into bars of whatever dimensions you want.

10. Store the granola bars in a container that cannot be penetrated by air at room temperature, and they will be good for up to a week. If you want to keep them any longer, put them in the refrigerator. They are really good; the only way to make them bad is to not eat them.

Homemade Vegan Granola Bars Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. 9×9 inch baking pan
3. Parchment paper
4. Large mixing bowl
5. Small saucepan
6. Spatula
7. Wire rack
8. Cutting board
9. Airtight container

FAQ

• Can I use a different type of nut instead of almonds?Certainly, you can replace almonds with walnuts, pecans, or any other nut you prefer.
• Are these granola bars gluten-free?Ensure that you utilize certified gluten-free oats to make them gluten-free.
• Can I replace maple syrup with another sweetener?You may use agave syrup or brown rice syrup as an alternative.
• How should I store these granola bars?Keep them in a sealed container at room temperature for a week at most, or go with the second option: keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
• Can I omit the chocolate chips?Sure, you can omit the dark chocolate chips altogether. Or substitute them with something else you like, such as dried fruits or seeds.
• What if I don’t have almond butter?Almond butter can be replaced with peanut butter or any other nut or seed butter.
• Is there a way to make the bars lower in sugar?It is possible to lessen the quantity of maple syrup or replace it with a sweetener that contains no sugar.

Homemade Vegan Granola Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Substituting for rolled oats can be done with either quick oats or quinoa flakes.
Almonds: Substitute chopped walnuts or pecans for almonds in equal amounts.
Cranberries, dried: Use raisins or dried cherries.
When it comes to the seeds of the pumpkin, substitute them with chia seeds or flaxseeds.
Almond butter can be replaced with peanut butter or sunflower seed butter.

Pro Tips

1. Customize Your Mix-Ins Feel free to swap the dried cranberries with other dried fruits like apricots or raisins, or add other nuts like walnuts or pecans to change the flavor and texture of your granola bars.

2. Toast Your Ingredients For a richer flavor, toast the rolled oats and nuts in the oven for about 10 minutes before mixing them with the other ingredients. This will enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to your bars.

3. Ensure Binding Consistency To make sure the bars hold together well, let the almond butter and maple syrup mixture cool slightly before mixing it with the dry ingredients. This will help the mixture stick better and not crumble as much when cooled.

4. Press Firmly in the Pan When spreading the mixture in the baking pan, press it down very firmly with the back of a spatula or your dampened fingers. Compacting the mixture will help the bars maintain their shape once baked and cooled.

5. Add a Finishing Touch If you’re not adding chocolate chips during the mixing stage, you can drizzle melted dark chocolate over the top of the bars after baking and cooling. Let the chocolate set before slicing for an extra decadent touch.