I ran for the bus every single day that I worked in a corporate office. I’d shuffle down the block in my heels, my hot coffee sloshing onto the pavement, and my mouth full of a grab-and-go breakfast (like these Strawberry Oatmeal Bars), silently praying that the bus was behind schedule. This was my Monday through Friday for four straight years. You would think that after one year of stressed-out suit sprinting that I would have learned to leave the house earlier, let alone after four years, but it never happened. What did I do instead? I stored my heels in a box underneath my desk and made sure I also always had a stash of no-bake trail mix granola bars (or sometimes Healthy Granola Bars) at the ready. I might be late, but at least I wouldn’t be hungry.
How to Make Trail Mix Granola Bars
If you find yourself rushing in the morning, struggle to find time for a healthy breakfast or snacks, have picky eaters to feed, or a bus of your own to catch, this trail mix granola bars recipe is for you (or try these No Bake Granola Bars). Because they’re a no bake recipe, they take only a few minutes to make, are made from simple ingredients (like this Crock Pot Granola), and can last for weeks, so you’ll always have them at the ready. Plus, they are super yummy, filling, and healthy too!
The Ingredients
Oats. The base for every great granola bar (and Healthy Granola recipe). It adds a hefty dose of fiber and plant-based protein to every bite.Rice Cereal. Adds a lovely contrasting texture to the oats and additional crunch. I always opt for a whole grain cereal whenever possible for a few healthy bonus points.Flaxseed Meal. Adds additional fiber and protein along with healthy fats. The flaxseed meal also helps bind the granola bars together and hold their shape (as in these Fig and Date Energy Balls).Peanut Butter. A generous scoop (or two) of your favorite peanut butter gives these healthy granola bars a wonderful nutty flavor and helps hold everything together (if you love peanut butter, you’ll also enjoy these Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls).Honey. A little squeeze of honey gives these bars the smallest kiss of sweetness and just the right amount of sticky chewiness.Coconut Oil. Incorporates some healthy fats into the bars and keeps these trail mix granola bars moist.Cinnamon. Just a hint to warmly spice the granola bars with a little extra something-something. (For more cinnamon goodness, try these Oatmeal Breakfast Bars.)
The Directions
Storage Tips
To Store. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks in a covered container.To Freeze. Trail mix chewy granola bars may be frozen for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly in plastic and stored in a freezer-safe container.
Tools Used to Make These Bars
8×8 Baking Pan. My go-to pan for bars, brownies, and more.Parchment Paper. I especially love these pre-cut sheets for their ease and convenience.
These days I’m still running late but with a trail mix granola bar in either hand.
Nuts. Almonds, walnuts, honey-roasted peanuts, pistachios.Seeds. Sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds (pepitas).Dried Fruit. Raisins, dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried apricots.Chocolate. You can never go wrong with mini chocolate chips or a drizzle of melted chocolate before chilling these bars.
All were duly devoured, but today’s recipe is my favorite. It has just the right amount of sweetness, and the coconut oil helps the bars hold their shape.
Peanut Butter Lovers Granola Bars. You can certainly swap the coconut oil for extra peanut butter if you’re a big fan. (Or try these Vegan Protein Bars or Peanut Butter Protein Bars)Swap the Nuts and Fruits. Feel free to change out the nuts and fruits for any flavors you love or have on hand. Unlike my old bus route’s departure time, this peanut butter granola bar recipe is very flexible and forgiving!
More Granola Bar Recipes
No Bake Peanut Butter Chia Healthy Granola Bars Orange Almond Healthy Granola BarsCranberry Almond Granola Bars
