Easy Gluten Free Granola Bar Recipe - A Convenient and Healthy Snack

Have you ever found yourself in the grocery store, staring at an a shelf full of granola bars and wondering, "Are these really gluten-free?"  If so, this easy, convenient gluten free granola bar recipe may be the answer you're looking for.

Why Make Gluten Free Granola Bars at Home?

Many people have concerns about store-bought gluten free snacks, and that's perfectly understandable - especially when you're new to celiac disease or gluten intolerance.  It can be hard to trust if all the ingredients are gluten free and if there is no chance of cross contamination.

Yes, things are much better than a few years ago.  Labelling laws are improving and manufacturers are becoming more informed when it comes to special dietary needs.  But still, I'm most comfortable with food that's come from my own kitchen, and I suspect, since you're here, that you are too.  That's why I’m thrilled to share this gluten free snack bars recipe that’s not only delicious but also trustworthy.

What You'll Love About this Gluten Free Granola Bar Recipe

Besides the confidence you get from knowing they came from your own kitchen, here are are few more reasons to love these grab-and-go gluten free treats.

• They're healthy (check the ingredients).
• They're small and super portable.
• They're slightly sweet and taste great.
• They're  easy to make.  It doesn't matter if you are a novice or an expert in the kitchen.
• You don’t have to skip breakfast, even if you’re in a hurry.
• They’re awesome with coffee or tea.  Hey, that makes them a perfect afternoon snack too!
• You can get your chocolate fix.
• You can make them vegan or nut free if you like.

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The Ingredients

Our gluten free granola bar ingredients are pretty simple, but there are a few important things to be aware of.  Let's go through them.

Gluten Free Rolled Oats

Oats are naturally gluten free, but like many gluten free grains, they are high risk for cross contamination.  For this reason, it is essential that you use only certified gluten free rolled oats if you have celiac disease.  

If you'd like to know more about how oats can fit into your gluten free diet, including brand suggestions, I've dedicated a whole article to the topic.  But for this gluten free granola bar recipe, the most important thing is to look for that gluten free certification on the label.  

Gluten Free Crispy Rice Cereal

Regular Kellogg's Rice Krispies contain barley malt and are not gluten free.  Depending on where you live, you may be able to find the gluten free version of Rice Krispies.

If not, there are other brands that make a gluten free "Crispy Rice Cereal" that is similar to the Kellogg's product.  Some examples are:

• Nature's Path
• One Degree
• Barbara's
• Malt-O-Meal
• Wegman's
• Erewhon
• Aldi

Nature's Path and One Degree are available in Canada.  The other's are American brands.

The important thing to remember is to look for a gluten free label on your cereal.

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Dried Fruit

Dried fruit adds flavor, texture, nutrition and depending on what you choose, maybe some fiber to your gluten free breakfast bars.  Choose whatever you like.  Here are some suggestions:

• dried cranberries
• raisins
• prunes
• apricots
• mango
• pineapple
• blueberries
• strawberries
• cherries
• currants

I usually get my dried fruit at the Bulk Barn, but you will find lot's of options at the supermarket too.

If you pick a fruit that comes in larger pieces, I recommend cutting them up to about the size of a raisin.  You can do this in the food processor if you are using one.

Nuts are Optional

Chopped walnuts or pecans give your gluten free granola bars a nice crunch and the nutritional boost that nuts bring to your diet.  But if you or someone in your family is allergic you can leave them out.

Making it Vegan

To make your homemade granola bars vegan, substitute the honey for corn syrup and use flax eggs in place of real eggs.  They'll be just as delicious and will hold together beautifully.  I personally am not plant-based but I've used the flax egg option often as I do have an egg intolerance.

Putting it Together

If you own a food processor, it's an amazing time saving device.  Pop in the oats, cereal, walnuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt then pulse until the fruit is about the size of a pea.

If you're not using a food processor, that's fine.  Larger pieces of dried fruit can be cut up by hand.  Make them about the size of a pea or a raisin.  Then mix in the rest of the dry ingredients listed above.

Whisk together the wet ingredients (eggs or flax eggs, honey or syrup, and vanilla)  then add the dry ingredients and the chocolate chips.

Spread the mixture evenly into a greased 9x13 inch pan and then bake for about 25 minutes in a 350° oven.  Watch for the edges to start to brown and separate a little from the sides of the pan.

Cutting Up Your Bars

This recipe makes 32 perfect gluten free granola bars.  There is a technique to cutting them though.

First cut the pan of baked bars into quarters then each quarter gets cut into eight.  To make eight equal bars, cut the quarter in half to make eighths.  Then cut each eighth in half and so on til you've divided the quarter into eight.  Continue with the other quarters and you'll have 32 perfect bars.

Storing to Grab and Go

I like to wrap my bars separately in plastic wrap and keep them in the fridge for an easy nutritious snack.  If you think if will take more than a few days to eat them, you can freeze them and pull them out as needed.  The vegan version will last a little longer. 

The Recipe

Easy Gluten Free Granola Bar Recipe - A Convenient and Healthy Snack

By Patty Maguire – Naturally Gluten Free,

Have you ever found yourself in the grocery store, staring at an a shelf full of granola bars and wondering, "Are these really gluten-free?" If so, this easy, convenient gluten free granola bar recipe may be the answer you're looking for.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 32 servings
Tags: Gluten Free, Vegan Option

Ingredients

• 2 c gluten-free oatmeal
• 2 c gluten-free crispy rice cereal
• 2 c walnuts chopped
• 3 c dried fruit
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp salt
• 4 eggs (can substitute flax egg or egg replacer)
• 2/3 c of honey (can substitute corn syrup for vegan granola bars)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 c mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F and lightly grease a 9"x13" baking dish. Coconut oil works well


2. Place oats, cereal, walnuts, dried fruit, cinnamon, salt in food processor and pulse until the fruit is about the size of a pea. (Food processor is optional. You can mix your dry ingredients in a bowl. Cut up larger pieces of fruit by hand.)


3. In a large bowl whisk together the honey, eggs, vanilla.


4. Add the dry ingredients from the food processor and the chocolate chips. Mix until just combined.


5. Bake for about 25 min or until the edges start to brown. Cool in the pan then slice and wrap