Minimalist Baker

Simple Food, Simply Delicious

  • about
  • recipes
  • Cookbooks
    • Everyday Cooking (print)
  • Shop
  • blogger resources
  • Courses
    • food photography school
    • food video school
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars

Batch of Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars on a parchment-lined cutting board

John and I kind of have a thing for granola bars. It started when we discovered the glory that is Trader Joe’s Apple (Pie) Bars. Then, we got into more basic versions with rolled oats. But somewhere along the line we got suspicious of the ingredients – namely high fructose corn devil – and strayed away from them altogether.

However, sometimes you really just need a snack that has some serious staying power. And being that this is Minimalist Baker, you know I wanted something simple. Enter: The 5-Ingredient (No-Bake) Granola Bar. Things are getting seriously minimalist right now.

Spoonful of oats and bowl of dates for making homemade granola bars


Toasting rolled oats on a baking sheet for homemade granola bars

The base for these bars is dates – the natural sweetener supah powah. Then we add almonds, oats, peanut butter, and honey (or maple syrup) and mix it all together!

That’s it. Just 5 ingredients, no baking involved (unless you want to toast the oats and almonds) and they’ll keep in the freezer for-ever (that is, if you can resist them for that long).

Oats, almonds, and peanut butter for making healthy granola bars

Pouring warm peanut butter honey mixture into dry ingredients

If you can’t jive with peanut butter simply swap in almond, sunflower or another nut/seed butter. To keep these vegan, stick with maple syrup or agave instead of honey. And to keep them gluten-free, use GF oats. Simple, customizable, delicious.

Stirring together ingredients for homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Baking pan and stack of simple healthy homemade granola bars

Speaking of delicious, these little guys are dreamy.

Simple flavors, wholesome ingredients, salty-sweet and lots of crunch. I made a batch last week and am already down to one-quarter of ONE bar. How I exercised the self control to save one quarter of a bar is beyond me. But by tomorrow it likely won’t be there, if I know myself at all.

Cutting board with a batch of our Healthy Granola Bars recipe

These really are the perfect bar for a hearty snack because they keep you full for hours and don’t provide a sugar overload. Plus, they pack in plenty of healthy fats from the almonds and peanut butter, and lots of fiber from the oats. Afternoon and mid-morning snack, solved.

Tall stack of our healthy granola bars

 

Stack of homemade Granola Bars for delicious gluten-free vegan snacks

September 23, 2016: Video added and recipe updated to include slightly more dates so the bars stick together more easily. 

Print
Cascading stack of Vegan Granola Bars made with almonds and oats
4.82 from 369 votes

Healthy 5-Ingredient Granola Bars

Healthy, no-bake granola bars with just 5 ingredients and a sweet, crunchy texture. Peanut butter and maple syrup complement each other perfectly in this ideal portable breakfast or snack.
Author: Minimalist Baker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 10 (bars)
Category: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly 1 month
Does it keep? 3-4 Days

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 1 heaping cup packed dates (pitted // deglet noor or medjool)*
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (or honey if not vegan)
  • 1/4 cup creamy salted natural peanut butter or almond butter
  • 1 cup roasted unsalted almonds (loosely chopped // see instructions for roasting nuts)
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten-free for GF eaters)
  • Chocolate chips, dried fruit, nuts, banana chips, vanilla, etc. (optional additions)

Instructions

  1. Process dates in a food processor until small bits remain (about 1 minute). It should form a "dough" like consistency. (Mine rolled into a ball.)

  2. Optional step: Toast your oats (and almonds if raw) in a 350-degree F (176 C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until slightly golden brown. Otherwise, leave them raw - I prefer the toasted flavor.
  3. Place oats, almonds and dates in a large mixing bowl - set aside.
  4. Warm honey and peanut butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir and pour over oat mixture and then mix, breaking up the dates to disperse throughout.
  5. Once thoroughly mixed, transfer to an 8x8-inch baking dish or other small pan lined with plastic wrap or parchment paper so they lift out easily. (A loaf pan might work, but will yield thicker bars // adjust size of pan if altering batch size).

  6. Press down firmly until uniformly flattened - I use something flat, like a drinking glass, to press down and really pack the bars, which helps them hold together better.
  7. Cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and let firm up in fridge or freezer for 15-20 minutes.
  8. Remove bars from pan and chop into 10 even bars (or 9 squares // as original recipe is written). Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. I kept mine in the freezer to keep them extra fresh, but it isn't necessary.

Notes

*Although not ideal, if your dates don't feel sticky and moist, you can soak them in water for 10 minutes then drain before processing. This will help them blend better and hold the bars together better. But ideally, you can find fresh, sticky moist dates.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate.

Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 10 bars)

  • Calories: 217
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 31g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Sugar: 19g
  • Protein: 6g
instagram camera

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @minimalistbaker on Instagram and hashtag it #minimalistbaker.

 

FacebookTwitterPin It

957 Comments 15 minutes or less, 7 ingredients or less, Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Featured, Gluten Free, No Bake, Oil-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Snacks, Soy-Free, Sweet (dessert), Vegan, Winter

← Stoplight Mango Green Smoothie
Lemon Blueberry Waffles {Vegan + Gluten-Free} →
Get Our Fan Favorites eBook Here!

danaHi, I'm Dana! I am a food stylist, photographer, creator of Food Photography School and author of Everyday Cooking.

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and read more about us here!

Talk About It

(or jump to leave a comment & review)
All commentsI made thisQuestions
  1. Avatar for Inês OliveiraInês Oliveira says

    May 16, 2013 at 5:30 am

    Crunchy and delicious… sounds great!

    Reply
    • Avatar for SusanSusan says

      February 1, 2014 at 7:47 am

      If you put a handful of oatmeal in the food processor with the dates they separate nicely.

      Reply
      • Avatar for MichaelMichael says

        February 27, 2014 at 9:01 am

        I wish I had read this comment earlier. I’ll try blending a lil oatmeal with the dates next time. These bars are awesome. I got my parents hooked too.

        Reply
      • Avatar for TynanTynan says

        February 27, 2014 at 10:41 am

        Is there a way to pulverize the dates if I don’t have a food processor? …or a blender? This recipe looks amazing and I want to try it tonight!!

        Reply
        • Avatar for FakiraFakira says

          February 27, 2014 at 5:02 pm

          I was desperate for these, so I used a mortal and pestle, adding about 1/4 cup packed dates at a time. It took a while, but they came out fine. Perhaps not as good as with a blender/food processor, but they tasted awesome!

          Reply
          • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

            February 27, 2014 at 10:01 pm

            That’s determination! Glad you liked them.

          • Avatar for CarolynCarolyn says

            September 1, 2015 at 11:11 am

            I tried melting the dates along with the peanut butter and honey. It worked wonderfully and made a perfect gooey “glue” for the bars!

        • Avatar for franksfranks says

          March 10, 2014 at 9:37 am

          Just put them in hot water and simmer them until smooth. Then let cool a bit and add them to mixture. Will be easy to incorporate

          Reply
          • Avatar for Cik Ta VeganCik Ta Vegan says

            January 19, 2018 at 7:56 am

            I know right! I made it tonight and yes, it binded well afterward.

        • Avatar for Annie HubbardAnnie Hubbard says

          May 19, 2014 at 1:35 pm

          I soaked them in very hot water for about 20 minutes and then chopped them finely with a big chef’s knife, adding a tiny bit of the soaking liquid periodically to emulsify.
          I used 1/8 cup agave and 1/8 cup honey, toasted the almonds and oats, and added dried cherries and sunflower seeds. The nut butter was from Trader Joes – a combination of nuts and seeds. It came out very well – good luck.

          Reply
        • Avatar for JennJenn says

          June 2, 2014 at 12:19 pm

          I used my Magic Bullet (Single Shot+) to chop my dates. I also use my Magic Bullet for just about everything!

          I just made these bars, added some chocolate chips to make them more appealing to my hubby.. They’re awesome!

          I was spending huge amounts of money each month of ‘lunch snack’ items from the grocery store. Since we now eat nearly entirely gluten-free, this was getting expensive. This month, I’ve cut my snack bill by at least 50% by making all my own snacks: apple sauce, rice pudding, granola bars, energy balls, chocolate coconut energy bars, breakfast granola, and more!

          He’s eating smaller portions now, which are densely packed with the nutrients needed to get through 15 hour construction days! Minus all of the ‘commercial garbage’!

          <3 Love baking at home <3

          Reply
          • Avatar for Sherri HerrellSherri Herrell says

            May 8, 2015 at 8:36 pm

            5-Ingredient granola bars. Found this recipe last night, was so excited I ran out and got stuff to make several versions. However I need to know if you use the old fashioned ( long cooking) or the instant( 1 min. cook) rolled oats? Bought both, but don’t want to make any and waste anything until I know. .Thanks for the recipe, Sherri

          • Avatar for AlainaAlaina says

            August 20, 2015 at 2:24 pm

            I can echo your comment exactly! Would you mind to share those other recipes somewhere?

          • Avatar for KumudKumud says

            December 9, 2015 at 5:59 pm

            i agree with you…love the Bullet :)

          • Avatar for MaricelaMaricela says

            February 19, 2016 at 9:59 am

            Sherri, for stuff like this always use the regular oats, nothing quick.

        • Avatar for loulou says

          March 8, 2015 at 7:25 pm

          chop them with a large knife, becareful

          Reply
        • Avatar for TerriTerri says

          August 18, 2015 at 6:18 pm

          I’m late to this post.
          I use raisins but, the granola doesn’t stick together for bars. I eat it straight up and it’s a great topping.

          Reply
        • Avatar for KatlinKatlin says

          January 6, 2016 at 7:39 pm

          I chop them into little bits, kind of like I would do a tomato for taco salad but smaller. I just use my sharpest knife.

          Reply
        • Avatar for Leland StoneLeland Stone says

          July 13, 2017 at 1:36 pm

          Date pulp may be available in your area from a Middle Eastern market.

          Reply
      • Avatar for LudmillaLudmilla says

        November 29, 2017 at 2:36 pm

        Great idea. I had a hard time mixing the dates into the oats. The dates are stuck in little chunks.

        Reply
        • Avatar for SarahSarah says

          April 24, 2018 at 11:35 am

          I found it much easier to just spray my hands with some oil and mix the oats and dates by hand! Mixing with a spoon wasn’t working at all for me!

          Reply
          • Avatar for FabienFabien says

            January 13, 2019 at 6:19 am

            That’s what I did too.
            Love the recipe so thank you!

    • Avatar for JamieJamie says

      July 7, 2014 at 7:33 am

      Mine are still soft after 20 min in fridge- will they ever harden?

      Reply
      • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

        July 7, 2014 at 3:08 pm

        Hmm, perhaps your dates were VERY soft which can prevent them from hardening. Pop them in the freezer!

        Reply
        • Avatar for BiancaBianca says

          September 27, 2014 at 1:48 am

          are there any other options that dates? :) cause some people in the house dont like dates :/

          Reply
          • Avatar for ChristineChristine says

            September 30, 2014 at 1:59 pm

            I’d also like to know if there are any other fruits that would be a nice substitution dates? :)

          • Avatar for LauraLaura says

            October 12, 2014 at 8:18 pm

            I’ve been subbing prunes, works great.

          • Avatar for LisaLisa says

            January 7, 2015 at 5:23 pm

            I do not like dates either, but you don’t really taste them. They just add a little sweetness. These bars are great!

          • Avatar for nancynancy says

            February 15, 2015 at 7:10 am

            i never wanted to try moms date nute cookies. dates plain are not that great, in these bars you can’t taste dates. I threw a few crasins for flavor.

          • Avatar for Monique Ver MeerMonique Ver Meer says

            March 10, 2015 at 9:50 am

            I used half dates and half dried apricots, soaking them both, they turned out great!

          • Avatar for RebeccaRebecca says

            June 17, 2015 at 9:48 am

            I used rice crispies and dried cherries

          • Avatar for JamieJamie says

            January 28, 2016 at 10:39 am

            apricots! :) High in iron and taste great, too!

          • Avatar for Mom6Mom6 says

            August 9, 2018 at 10:20 am

            I used dried mixed fruit…apricots, mango, pineapple, kiwi, cherries and apples.

        • Avatar for HeatherHeather says

          October 20, 2014 at 1:46 pm

          I actually used soaked figs and they worked great.

          Reply
          • Avatar for KristineKristine says

            July 13, 2017 at 8:10 am

            I did the same and they came out great!

    • Avatar for JamieJamie says

      July 7, 2014 at 7:30 am

      My granola bars have been in the fridge for 20 min and are still soft. Will they ever harden if they haven’t already? I made the recipe to a t- I thought they taste good but are soft.

      Reply
    • Avatar for alexaalexa says

      April 7, 2015 at 1:50 pm

      how long will these last?

      Reply
      • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

        April 10, 2015 at 5:29 pm

        1-2 Months in the freezer! Up to 2 weeks at room temperature.

        Reply
      • Avatar for TimTim says

        May 12, 2015 at 5:20 pm

        They lasted like 15 minutes at our house!

        Reply
    • Avatar for saman asifsaman asif says

      October 2, 2016 at 11:27 am

      thanks for the recipe! i added some of what i had in the house, i.e. chia and poppy seeds and some others whose names i’m not sure about, so a bit less oats. didn’t need honey and used half dates, half figs…..pretty delicious and rich, so i assume a little will go a long way.

      Reply
  2. Avatar for Katrina @ Warm Vanilla SugarKatrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says

    May 16, 2013 at 6:56 am

    Gah! These are so easy!! Love, love, love!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for TieghanTieghan says

    May 16, 2013 at 7:04 am

    Um?? Perfect!! These look awsome!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for DessertForTwoDessertForTwo says

    May 16, 2013 at 7:21 am

    How perfect! These are a great quick breakfast!

    Reply
  5. Avatar for Lindsay @ The Live-In KitchenLindsay @ The Live-In Kitchen says

    May 16, 2013 at 7:36 am

    I’ve been looking for a peanut butter/date snack. This will be perfect!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for LisaLisa says

    May 16, 2013 at 8:24 am

    I have been searching for the perfect granola bar recipe. Hopefully this is the one! :)

    Reply
  7. Avatar for Joy // For the Love of LeavesJoy // For the Love of Leaves says

    May 16, 2013 at 8:54 am

    These sound fantastic! And so easy to switch up the flavors to keep it exciting.

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Stephanie @ Girl Versus DoughStephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    May 16, 2013 at 9:08 am

    These sound amazing! Anything made with peanut butter gets my vote. :)

    Reply
  9. Avatar for Marjory @ Dinner-MomMarjory @ Dinner-Mom says

    May 16, 2013 at 9:51 am

    Love it. I hope it works with sunflower seed butter…allergies.

    Reply
    • Avatar for justinejustine says

      February 1, 2014 at 7:49 am

      Did it work? I also don’t like dates so I’m going to use raisins and cranberries.

      Reply
      • Avatar for SuzyqSuzyq says

        February 15, 2014 at 8:31 am

        The dates act as the binding agent. Comparable to forgetting to put eggs in a cookie recipe I would suspect. Their flavor is masked by the pb and all the other goodness!!

        Reply
        • Avatar for JustineJustine says

          February 15, 2014 at 8:46 am

          Well, I just wanted to say that the sultana raisins take the place of dates very well. They are perfect for the binding! I wanted to make these nut free so I could send them to school with my daughter. I used “wowbutter” instead of peanut butter, then I put chocolate chips and dried cranberries in it as well. They were a HUGE hit! Thank you for this recipe! I have been searching for an easy and flexible one for a long time.

          Reply
          • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

            February 15, 2014 at 5:15 pm

            Whoop! So glad the raisins worked! I haven’t tried that variation yet :D

      • Avatar for ReyneReyne says

        September 24, 2014 at 11:52 am

        Did substituting the raisins work out for you? I was thinking of replacing he dates also and wonder if it will work?

        Reply
        • Avatar for JustineJustine says

          September 27, 2014 at 9:02 am

          YES! They did work out. Mind you they do HAVE to be SULTANA raisins since the other ones tend to be too dry. I haven’t made them in a while but my family still begs for them. Even the nut free ones!
          The best thing I think is that I can take my daughter to the bulk barn and let her pick out whatever she wants to put in them.

          Reply
  10. Avatar for Erin @ The Spiffy CookieErin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    May 16, 2013 at 10:22 am

    I’ve never seen a granola bar recipe that uses date but I like it! Love that this is no bake too

    Reply
  11. Avatar for CaitlinCaitlin says

    May 16, 2013 at 10:51 am

    these look delicious! you can’t go wrong with 5 ingredients ;)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Lynne BLynne B says

      April 6, 2018 at 9:08 am

      yes try dried cranberries or cherries taste so good

      Reply
  12. Avatar for Alexis @ HummusapienAlexis @ Hummusapien says

    May 16, 2013 at 11:26 am

    Gorgeous! I love that they’re mostly sweetened with dates. Granola bar perfection right here. Gotta love that simple ingredient list, too!

    Reply
  13. Avatar for OlgaOlga says

    May 16, 2013 at 9:46 am

    I love it, it’s very basic and looks awesome (last two pictures are just out of this world!). As you you mentioned sweet&salty taste I guess adding a bit of salt wouldn’t hurt? Thanks for a great recipe for my on-go breakfasts :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 16, 2013 at 11:18 am

      Ah! Yes, I almost forgot to note I use salted PB – always have always do. I made that update and it’s now included in the recipe. BUT if you have unsalted definitely add a pinch of salt!

      Reply
      • Avatar for AprilApril says

        June 16, 2013 at 6:43 pm

        What can I do if I don’t have a food processor? I want to make these!! They look delish. Thanks..

        Reply
        • Avatar for MintMint says

          June 24, 2013 at 9:48 am

          I’m not the maker of the recipe (Dana), but if you don’t have a food processor, you could always get soft medjool dates and form a dough by hand. To do this, just grab the right amount of dates and add a little peanut butter (or whatever other butter you like) and dump them in a bowl. Then, just massage them together until you form a uniform dough. If you can’t find soft dates, just soak your dates in water until they soften (make sure you only use enough water for them to soften, so you won’t have to throw the delicious date water away!

          Reply
        • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

          July 3, 2013 at 12:25 am

          you could try really finely mincing the dates?

          Reply
          • Avatar for DeDe says

            January 5, 2014 at 6:04 pm

            This recipe is very crumbly; does not hold together well at all.Total disappointment. Huge waste of my time and money. Also pictures are not a good representation of the final product. Would not recommend this recipe to anyone. Aldo tried to rate this item and when I clicked on “one” star all 5 stars were highlighted. Why is thin

          • Avatar for Marissa McclureMarissa Mcclure says

            October 18, 2018 at 3:21 pm

            Below this comment someone commented that they didnt stick together. I made them and put extra honey on top to make them stick better. they are so delicious….I’m in love.

      • Avatar for NellyNelly says

        August 27, 2013 at 4:04 pm

        THANK YOU for this recipe! This is what I was looking for! I made it with almond butter and added craisins, absolutely delicious and easy.

        Reply
  14. Avatar for Susan PantleSusan Pantle says

    May 16, 2013 at 11:56 am

    These look worth making for sure!!

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Nora @ Buttercream FanaticNora @ Buttercream Fanatic says

    May 16, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    I am always on the look out for easy, wholesome granola bars. Like you, I’ve been turned off by some of the ingredients in store-bought ones. These look like they’ll be a new favorite!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for dixya| Food, Pleasure, and Healthdixya| Food, Pleasure, and Health says

    May 16, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    i made something very similar and I have been eating them for every meal pretty much..

    Reply
  17. Avatar for EileenEileen says

    May 16, 2013 at 4:03 pm

    These sound so good! Why haven’t I ever made granola bars at home before?

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Holly @ EatGreatBEGreatHolly @ EatGreatBEGreat says

    May 16, 2013 at 6:49 pm

    These granola bars sound great and so easy to make!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for JessJess says

    May 16, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    Oh for the love do I ever miss Trader Joe’s granola bars. Fortunately we get them on a frequent basis in care packages, but making them myself is a much better proposition. Hooray for 5-ingredient cooking!

    Reply
  20. Avatar for Mimi @ Culinary CoutureMimi @ Culinary Couture says

    May 16, 2013 at 11:39 pm

    Dates are a staple in my Arab household! I love how so many of your recipe use them :) It’s great that they’re a healthy alternative.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for thelittleloafthelittleloaf says

    May 17, 2013 at 8:30 am

    Healthy and delicious (as always!) – gorgeous photos :-)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for ElleElle says

    May 17, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    These look really good. They remind me of Kind bars. My kids have been bugging me to make granola bars and I can’t wait to try these out and pack into summer camp lunches.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for Laura DembowskiLaura Dembowski says

    May 17, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    I love healthy and simple treats like this! They would make such a good breakfast!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    May 17, 2013 at 7:26 pm

    These look perfect. I’ve got a big ol’ tub of peanut butter that’s screaming to be used up. I love homemade granola bars.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for CharissaCharissa says

    May 19, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    They’re in the fridge right now :) I used walnuts instead of almonds as I didn’t have any on hand but the ‘dough’ tasted delicious for sure. In a bit I’ll know whether or not they’re husband-approved, can’t wait!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for annieannie says

    May 19, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    These are perfect! Delicious, healthy, and simple to put together. I will be making these on a weekly basis for our family of 5. Thank you!

    Reply
  27. Avatar for ElisabethElisabeth says

    May 20, 2013 at 6:03 am

    Hi

    Do you think there is anyway to do this without a food processor?

    Thanks
    Elisabeth

    Reply
    • Avatar for DanielleDanielle says

      May 22, 2013 at 11:09 am

      They are simple enough if you blend the dates. I have a basic Oster blender. It might take some patience (and scraping the sides a little) but it works and they still taste fantastic!

      Reply
      • Avatar for aida ameraida amer says

        January 17, 2014 at 6:13 pm

        you can cut the dates by the knife small peices

        Reply
  28. Avatar for ArissaArissa says

    May 22, 2013 at 9:10 am

    These were incredible! Every person I gave one to asked for the recipe. These will definitely be a staple in my house.

    Reply
  29. Avatar for DanielleDanielle says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:11 am

    Absolutely amazing. Made them last night with honey, and between myself my husband and my coworkers they are all gone! I’m definitely making them tonight with maple syrup to see how those flavors work out, and which I prefer :)

    Reply
  30. Avatar for RyanRyan says

    May 23, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    How long do they need to thaw after removing them from the freezer?

    Can they just be refrigerated?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 23, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      Yes! They can. They don’t take long to thaw. I’d grab one out of the freezer and eat it right away, although it is a bit stiff, still tasty! I’d let them out for 30 minutes, just to be safe.

      Reply
      • Avatar for MariMari says

        December 10, 2013 at 7:24 pm

        Mine crumbled completely. I followed the recipe…not sure where I went wrong. They taste great but don’t stay together. Advise?

        Reply
        • Avatar for ShayShay says

          January 5, 2014 at 8:52 pm

          Mine are also falling apart! It looked like mine had far more PB, but I also followed the recipe. A little stumped. They taste great though!

          Reply
          • Avatar for StaciaStacia says

            May 26, 2015 at 8:37 pm

            I am having the same issue. Mine are falling apart. Taste delicious though. Looking for away to make them stick together and get more of the granola bar consistency. Right now I feel like I have some really good granola. I might have heated up my peanut butter/agave/honey a little too long or let it cool too much.

  31. Avatar for CourtneyCourtney says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    Made these tonight – they are fantastic!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for CandiceCandice says

    May 23, 2013 at 7:14 pm

    Thank you so much for this recipe. I saw the post the day before we were to leave on a long road trip. I had all the ingredients (plus I added organic dried cranberries and a touch of vanilla) and made them to take with us (I hate trying to find decent food on the road). They were fabulous!!! My husband loved them! I just made them again and added mini-choc chips – wonderful! I also love your black bean brownies (I listed these on my blog with full credit to you, of course). Such great recipes you share! You truly outshine the majority of “whole”, natural and minimalist foodie blogs on the web! I told my adult daughter about you and she loves your smoothies. Thanks again.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 23, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      What a sweet thing to say! Thanks for stopping by and saying hello, Candice! It’s always lovely to hear how people enjoy the site and our recipes. Thanks again for the encouragement! It means a lot :D

      Reply
      • Avatar for KK says

        October 26, 2014 at 2:00 am

        How do u store these ? And for how long ?

        Reply
        • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

          October 27, 2014 at 5:49 pm

          In the fridge for up to a few weeks, and in the freezer for up to a few months! Just in a tupperware or plastic bag.

          Reply
  33. Avatar for DarbyDarby says

    May 26, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    I toasted everything for crunch and flavor. I love PB and honey and had to lick this out of the bowl! I skipped the step of food processing the dates (barely had a cup left because I ate so many from the package). I quartered them lengthwise and then chopped so that I would have date pieces throughout.

    Reply
  34. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    May 27, 2013 at 4:40 am

    Any other substitutes for dates?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 27, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      Yes! dried cherries, raisins, dried cranberries, or just sub additional peanut butter and honey til it all sticks together! Hope that helps :D

      Reply
      • Avatar for MarwaMarwa says

        July 18, 2014 at 5:17 pm

        Wonder if you could sub dried figs as your base? Yum!

        Reply
    • Avatar for DonnaDonna says

      September 17, 2013 at 6:24 am

      @Emily….You could also do this GEM of a recipe with soft, dried fig…..I love the flavor and it lowers the IG factor as well!…I often sub soft fig for dates to great effect!

      My…this recipe is a go-to “classic” in our household….I come for the EXQUISITE photography and witty prose…but always leave with a recipe “find”…such as THIS one.

      Reply
    • Avatar for ColinColin says

      February 9, 2014 at 8:07 am

      Tried figs instead of dates, worked well for as out dates were ‘out of date’! I also mixed in some sultanas and cranberries to the gooey blend, added a little water as well, toasted all the dry ingredients and tossed in sunflower and pumpkin seeds, nice.
      Great recipe thanks!

      Reply
  35. Avatar for Kami-RaeKami-Rae says

    June 5, 2013 at 10:54 am

    These are incredibly delicious, filling and have become my go-to breakfast! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for Roar SweetlyRoar Sweetly says

    June 7, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    Discovered your blog through Make Great, who posted her efforts with this granola bar. I made it yesterday with beautiful, organic ingredients. I have experimented a lot with different muesli bars in the past and I have to say…this is, hands down, the best. The dates really give it a sweetness. It’s nice and chewy…not too hard. Thank you, will definitely be checking out your other recipes.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      June 7, 2013 at 9:44 pm

      Love to hear it!

      Reply
      • Avatar for Roar SweetlyRoar Sweetly says

        June 13, 2013 at 5:08 pm

        I have just posted my efforts with full credit and a link to your blog. Thank you again for sharing.

        Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 3, 2013 at 12:08 am

      So great to hear!

      Reply
  37. Avatar for AspenAspen says

    June 11, 2013 at 9:25 am

    They were great but use instead of 1/4 honey use half agave and half sugar

    Reply
  38. Avatar for NN says

    June 11, 2013 at 6:35 pm

    I just made this for the second time, and will be making it again – these taste and look great!

    However, I’ve found that they fall apart if I take them out of the freezer for very long, and when I’m making them, there isn’t enough liquid to really bind it together. This time around I increased the maple syrup/peanut butter mixture, but would prefer something a little less calorie dense – any advice?

    Reply
    • Avatar for TT says

      November 3, 2014 at 10:19 pm

      Add some water, ground flax seeds (maybe 2-3 tbs, you should experiment) before mixing. The water draws out some of the starch from the oats, and forms a gum-like consistency with the flax seeds, both of which will make it hold together better. If you end up adding too much water, add some more oats or cocoa.

      I highly suggest adding 1/4 cup raw cocoa to this recipe (it doesn’t have to be ‘raw’, just not chocolate). Add more water if the mixture becomes too stiff.

      If you want a slightly healthier alternative to the peanut butter, try going 1/2 peanut butter and half tahini (ground sesame seed paste) – it will change the taste a little, but once you have it often enough, you don’t notice.

      Reply
  39. Avatar for SheriSheri says

    June 13, 2013 at 3:24 pm

    It’s was delicious, but they fell apart, I didn’t use dates or any other dry fruit could that be why?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 3, 2013 at 12:19 am

      yep, that’s probably why.

      Reply
    • Avatar for kekopeankekopean says

      January 19, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      I made them and my dough was a bit too soft butcuz i read all comments beforehand, i put them in an oblong glass baking dish and baked in oven to dry out the dough and it worked out great they were chewy instead of crunchy which was fine for me and everyone at my house loved the wonderful taste, will make them again with other nut butter as i made without peanut butter this time

      Reply
  40. Avatar for michelinemicheline says

    June 19, 2013 at 10:25 pm

    Question – Can i substitute the peanut/almond butter for tahini or something else? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 3, 2013 at 12:27 am

      tahini may work but it will taste much different. hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Avatar for KK says

        October 27, 2014 at 3:52 am

        How long can I store them for ?

        Reply
        • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

          October 27, 2014 at 5:36 pm

          Months in the freezer, a few weeks in the fridge!

          Reply
    • Avatar for JessicaJessica says

      September 26, 2015 at 8:15 am

      You could try sunflower seed butter! It’s a great alternative to nut butters and has a really nice roasted nutty taste and similar texture.

      Reply
  41. Avatar for JanelleJanelle says

    June 20, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    These turned out just as I wanted and were delicious! I actually double baked mine so they were crunchy. I have been doing a lot of the ‘raw’ date/ cacao recipes and wanted a different consistency! Perfect thank you! Next I will try your brownies. I love your bog, especially the unique way you have both introduced yourselves

    Reply
  42. Avatar for FreyaFreya says

    June 22, 2013 at 3:16 pm

    Hello! These look great, I am hoping to make some to bring camping this summer, so I have a question for you! Do they get all melty and messy if they have been out of the fridge for a while because of the peanut butter?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for DanaDana says

    June 24, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    OMG making these asap! (with almond butter) They are similar to my not very healthy but very delicious chocolate dream bars :)
    -Dana

    Reply
  44. Avatar for AmaliaAmalia says

    June 24, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Hey there!

    First off, I am in love with this blog you guys have put together a really amazing website..

    For these I have a question, is there an alternative ingredient I could use to replace the dates? Or reduce the sugar? I am a dancer so grab and go granola bars are a must, but sugar catches up with me during class..

    Thanks! ~Malia

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 3, 2013 at 12:39 am

      Amalia, thanks! As for the dates, you could replace a dried fruit with slightly less sugar, such as unsweetened cranberries or cherries?

      Reply
      • Avatar for DonnaDonna says

        September 17, 2013 at 6:25 am

        Or think dried figs or …even lower in the sugar realm….goji or mulberries!!!

        Reply
  45. Avatar for RaeRae says

    July 1, 2013 at 8:07 pm

    I’ve been looking for a great granola bar recipe and this really seems to fit the bill. My only concern is a comment on “crunchy”. We need a soft one, so I’m wondering if it is really necessary to freeze these? Would rather keep them easy to bite and not crunchy.

    Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 2, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      not necessary to freeze, it just helps them set up. But for a softer bar just leave them at room temp : )

      Reply
  46. Avatar for SophieSophie says

    July 2, 2013 at 3:27 am

    I think this recipe looks amazing, I’m definetly making these tomorrow! I’m not raw vegan, so has anybody tried baking these to give them a crunch?
    And any alternatives for dates? My stomach can’t tolerate them, as much as I love them.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 2, 2013 at 12:53 pm

      any other dried sweet fruit will do!

      Reply
  47. Avatar for AlyaaAlyaa says

    July 2, 2013 at 7:52 am

    Hey, If I want to make more of this, do I just double (or triple) the recipe for everything?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 2, 2013 at 12:52 pm

      yep, and use a large pan : )

      Reply
  48. Avatar for allison1998allison1998 says

    July 4, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    I just bought a container of Medjool dates at Costco over the weekend and was searching Pinterest for a granola recipe that included them in it. This recipe popped up and I am so glad that it did!

    I just finished making a double batch of these and I cant wait for them to cool completely so that I can cut them. We have been nibbling the edges and it tastes great. Thanks so much for this recipe. It will become a staple in my household.

    Reply
  49. Avatar for shaktishakti says

    July 5, 2013 at 4:17 am

    Lovely bar.
    For those unable to massage…….the mincing or whizzing with little water is perfect. I would not waste the liquid but use it to stir in yoghurt smoothies, soak fruit for puree to eat, make dried fruit rolls, or add to cake mix. It also softens peanut butter to make bars or dips!
    My very old dog likes his treat. He loves fruit juice stirred into his porridge a few times per week and so does not get actual sugar stirred in.

    Reply
  50. Avatar for AprilApril says

    July 6, 2013 at 5:58 pm

    Just made these. Thank you for a great recipe!

    Reply
  51. Avatar for Miss unknownMiss unknown says

    July 8, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    I love these! I substitute dates with dried apricots and it works perfectly! Thnk you so much for the recipe!

    Reply
  52. Avatar for GabrielleGabrielle says

    July 8, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    What’s better than a granola bar that saves money, tastes delicious, and is health conscious. I made some subs that I thought I would share. I have a nut allergy, so I used sun nut butter, which is out of this world, and I subbed dried cranberries for the almonds. This is really a limitless recipe with all the swaps you can make to it. Thanks so much! Now I can enjoy granola bars without worrying about nuts!

    Reply
    • Avatar for RobinRobin says

      January 31, 2014 at 4:19 pm

      Thanks for the tip! My friend is peanut-sensitive so I’m always on the lookout for alternatives for when we get together.

      This looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
  53. Avatar for ericaerica says

    July 12, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    made these today with agave nectar, powdered peanut butter, & dark chocolate chips as a bonus. they are delicious!!!!!!!

    Reply
  54. Avatar for SatsSats says

    July 16, 2013 at 1:39 am

    Sounds delicious! I found they didn’t hold together too well even though they were yum. Can I bake them? How long and what temp?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for elishaelisha says

      September 24, 2013 at 6:16 pm

      Mine were not stable either. They looked gorgeous, tasted gorgeous, and cut into nice looking rectangles….but when we pick them up to eat they bend and break.

      I’m wondering if I need to add more dry ingredients as I added turkish apricots to the recipe so maybe it was too moist?

      The next time I make it I think I will add cocoa nibs :-)

      Reply
      • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

        September 25, 2013 at 10:39 am

        Yeah, the dry-wet ratio has to be pretty steady here or they won’t hold their form.

        Reply
  55. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    July 20, 2013 at 8:16 am

    Thank you for this recipe! I hosted a play date with 15 kiddos and we all had a great time making your easy granola recipe.

    Reply
  56. Avatar for ChloeChloe says

    July 20, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Can you substitue dates for figs :)? This looks amazing btw :) xx

    Reply
  57. Avatar for CraigCraig says

    July 28, 2013 at 7:28 am

    Made a batch with dedicated coconut and some chopped dried apples – they were delicious! Have just made a batch with flaked rather than whole almonds, looking forward to seeing if they’re chewier than with whole almonds. Great recipe though! They’ll be forming part of my healthy diet staples!

    Reply
  58. Avatar for JoshJosh says

    July 30, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I’ve made this a few times, and absolute love it. As an athlete on a pretty strict diet plan, this works perfectly for my carb portion of a meal, and is a HUGE carb booster before games or matches.

    One question though – is there something I’d be able to add to this to increase the protein content a little? I don’t want to increase nuts because it throws the fat ratio off for my plan. If I have to reduce a bit of one of the staples to add a more protein rich source, I’m ok with that. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for KaylaKayla says

      July 30, 2013 at 4:42 pm

      Maybe you could sub hemp hearts for the almonds, or reduce the almonds and add a few scoops of protein powder. :) You could also sub part or all of the oats with quinoa flakes.

      Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 30, 2013 at 10:47 pm

      Hmm, well you could cut back on oats and/or nuts and compensate with hemp seeds! They’re an excellent protein source. You could also consider chia seeds and flax seeds. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Avatar for LynLyn says

        January 19, 2015 at 5:28 pm

        Wow, so many comments and ideas to read – this is January 2015! I substituted the peanut butter for half almond butter and half a spread which is made up of brazil nuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews, hazelnut, sesame seeds and chia seeds, which is an Australian product. This is delicious. I soaked the dates for a few minutes in hot water before processing and I used quick oats, which I roasted.

        Reply
  59. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    July 30, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    Made these tonight and the taste is great but having a challenge of making them stick together. They seem sticky enough but… They are not staying. Any thoughts on why? We used almond butter instead of peanut because we are allergic to peanuts. We also used a cheap brand dates, wondering if they were not moist enough. Never really got the dough consistency but they are sticky. Going to try again because we love the taste but with different dates. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for JennyJenny says

      August 18, 2013 at 5:41 pm

      Had the same problem! I wonder if you reconstitute the dates next time, that might help? (Aka: soak them in water for a bit to plump them up).

      Reply
  60. Avatar for LesleyLesley says

    July 31, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    AMAZING! Saw this recipe and I was thinking about my whole kayaking tour! Bought the ingredients as soon as I was done. Made it with 1/4 cup peanuts, 1/4 cup cashews, 1/4 cup almonds, and 1/4 cup chocolate chips. So good it brought tears to my eyes. I will never buy another granola bar again! Thank you so much!

    Reply
  61. Avatar for EricaErica says

    August 1, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Soooo delicious! I used chocolate almond butter and added flaxseed. My son and I are going to have a hard time saving any for dad when he gets home. Thanks!

    Reply
  62. Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

    August 7, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    I have made these twice now, and while they truly are great tasting, mine are always a soggy mess. Any chance you could do a YouTube video? I don’t know what I’m doing wrong :-(

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 7, 2013 at 8:26 pm

      Weird! Mine were the opposite of soggy. Did you freeze them?

      Reply
      • Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

        August 8, 2013 at 12:11 pm

        I have to keep them in the freezer – if I eat them around ten minutes, they are a great consistency, but once thawed (like when you take it to work and it is 5 hours later), you could just roll it up in a ball. What am I doing wrong? Don’t get me wrong, they are delicious, but not easy to eat.

        Reply
        • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

          August 9, 2013 at 1:55 pm

          Hmm, that’s so weird! Maybe add more oats or nuts? Are you using enough dates? I don’t know!

          Reply
          • Avatar for StephanieStephanie says

            August 13, 2013 at 12:31 pm

            Just had a thought…. I read somewhere to soak the dates for an hour before blending….. but maybe I’m picking up too much liquid – The first time I added the date water to the blender to allow it to blend easily, second time I just added a tbsp of liquid – otherwise it just doesn’t blend. Third time might be the charm – I’m going to just cut the dates in pieces….. will report back. I also have my son making a batch and a coworker – so if theirs turns out, I’ll know what I must do – ask others to make them for me! But, I really can’t stress how absolutely delicious they are. Why would anyone buy granola bars again??!

  63. Avatar for GiuliaGiulia says

    August 10, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    I can’t wait to make these, they look amazing!! Just wondering if I could use crunchy pb instead of smooth because its the only kind I eat and it seems wasteful to buy a new jar. Keep up the great work!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 11, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      yes! smooth or crunchy will both work :D

      Reply
  64. Avatar for Mel S.Mel S. says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:16 am

    I just made this with my 6 year old and I had to comment ASAP. These are amazing! I stopped buying granola once I started educating myself on processed food, so we missed eating granola bars as I couldn’t find a recipe that didn’t used corn syrup. My son, the picky eater loved these! We used pecans instead of almonds because he doesn’t like them. I also added a few vanilla chips, and pressed a few on the top. This recipe is a keeper! Thank you!!

    Reply
  65. Avatar for BridgetBridget says

    August 12, 2013 at 4:43 pm

    Also wondering if you can use figs instead of dates…

    Reply
    • Avatar for DonnaDonna says

      September 17, 2013 at 6:32 am

      @ Bridget….ABSOLUTELY….I do this swap every time …and it works like a charm….I actually like the taste of fig more…and it’s lower on the glycemic index…I have a sneaking suspicion that figs will become the “new Medjool date!

      Reply
  66. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    August 12, 2013 at 11:53 pm

    These are amazing! I used 1/2 cup dates 1/2 cup raisins (didn’t have enough dates) and needed to add more honey and peanut butter to get things to hold together and they taste fabulous!

    Reply
  67. Avatar for Rochelle HutchinsonRochelle Hutchinson says

    August 16, 2013 at 5:46 am

    I tried this recipe and it was delicious but instead of using chopped dates, I blitzed them up as I don’t like the texture of dates and it was perfect.

    Reply
  68. Avatar for LeenaLeena says

    August 16, 2013 at 4:44 am

    Hi,
    Thank you for this recipe I will try it very soon.
    I am a student and I’m looking for healthy snacks with no oven/blender required and this looks amazing. Only one question: can I add a vegan protein powder to the mix or it will just be strange because of the no baking.
    Thanks again

    A reader from France :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 16, 2013 at 10:02 am

      I think that would work, depending on the texture. If it’s too grainy, use less next time. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  69. Avatar for JennyJenny says

    August 18, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    So I made these last night and they TASTE wonderful but they wont stay together:/ I think I know what I need to adjust, however, I didn’t want to waste the ingredients again before I got some input:) I left them in the fridge longer than 20 minutes since they were falling apart when I cut them initially, but they still are not staying together. I think I did not chop up the dates enough so the chunks are too big and aren’t dispersed enough to hold everything together. Do you think this might be it? Let me know any thoughts! I love the taste so I just might eat it like granola if I can’t get it right;) Also, I put them in the freeze and that didn’t work either…. Also, I used agave instead of honey.

    Reply
  70. Avatar for JacquieJacquie says

    August 18, 2013 at 9:30 pm

    These are delicious! Stumbled across this recipe. Perfect for the gluten free people in my life, and I get two thumbs up from my other half that usually frowns at these healthy recipes! Only made these for the first time a few days ago, and already needed to make my second batch. Thank you!

    Reply
  71. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    August 20, 2013 at 12:03 am

    Just made these tonight. Mine are pretty moist, and didn’t really set up in the freezer. Maybe I need to add more oats? Yours look much more dry than mine. Mine are kind of shiny. They taste delicious though!

    Reply
  72. Avatar for MirandaMiranda says

    August 20, 2013 at 6:23 pm

    Brilliant recipe, absolutely delish and perfect for breakfast!

    Reply
  73. Avatar for PninaPnina says

    August 20, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    When I found this recipe today, it was the first time that I stumbled upon your website. Hooray for your wonderful offerings and those of the other great internet chefs that help us to feed ourselves and our loved ones well. So, I ended up putting in everything but the kitchen sink :) and there goes the simplicity of just 5 ingredients, ha ha. I used ground flax seeds, toasted pumpkin, sunflower and sesame seeds, tamari almonds and walnuts in pieces, a mix of almond butter, peanut butter and tahini with honey, 2 tablespoons of water and 2 teaspoons of coconut oil as binder, I used raisins and mixed dried berries with 1/4 cup date sugar for the fruit, and lastly I added some pure vanilla extract, and 1/4 cup chopped up chocolate chips! They are delicious, they hold together well (even out of fridge for hours), and have a nice texture. Please just tell me if you also have a hard time mixing all the dry ingredients with the sticky binders?? It was so hard to get everything evenly mixed that I ended up using my hands, but so much stuck to them that it was also a nuisance to scrape all that back into the bowl ( more fun to lick the rest off ) Help please I want to make these again with greater ease :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for PninaPnina says

      August 20, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      oh, I forgot to say that for saltiness and daily dose of iodine I added ground dulse, which is great cuz you can’t taste it at all :) I just learnt that if you are a vegan like myself who only uses grey unrefined sea salt and does not enjoy seaweed then there is a good chance you are not getting enough iodine in your diet : O

      Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 21, 2013 at 2:37 pm

      Pnina, it is a little difficult to mix being that the “wet” ingredients really aren’t all that wet and the dry ingredients are SUPER dry. BUT, with a little patience and strong arm stirring, it all comes together!

      Reply
  74. Avatar for BiyaBiya says

    August 24, 2013 at 10:06 am

    i just finish making these… I added All brans cereal flakes …. instead of honey and roll of oats, i added Maple syrup and oatmeal flakes :D … they turned awesome …

    I also really appreciate your open options to add other ingredients :) Thank you so much for this easy peaasy recipe :D

    Reply
  75. Avatar for RajRaj says

    August 29, 2013 at 7:55 pm

    Amazing recipe. I loved making and eating these bars. Not a big fan of peanut butter so used cookie butter that I bought from Costco. Thank you for this great recipe.

    Reply
    • Avatar for SamSam says

      October 24, 2013 at 9:13 pm

      Using cookie butter totally defeats the point of making these healthier than store bought processed bars though, LOL

      Reply
  76. Avatar for KateKate says

    September 2, 2013 at 1:25 am

    For those who are allergic to nuts (or just out!) I substituted sunflower butter for the peanut butter, and pumpkin seeds for the almonds. They were delicious! I’m going to add some more dried fruit next time, as it was bit too oat-y for my tastes. But this recipe is a keeper.

    Reply
  77. Avatar for Sarah TüzemenSarah Tüzemen says

    September 12, 2013 at 12:51 pm

    Thank you for sharing such a yummy, easy and what is more healthy recipe :)

    Reply
  78. Avatar for CaroCaro says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    I made these EXACTLY as per your recipe and they were PERFECT! Really delicious AND they stayed together. I couldn’t fault them and can’t wait to make again. I used half quick oats and half large flake oats (old fashioned) which probably helps hold them together if people are having trouble with that. I toasted the oats at the same time as the almonds, it really brought out the flavours. I also wrapped each bar individually in wax paper and stored in the fridge so that they are grab and go. They still stay together even when they’ve been out of the fridge for days though. I don’t have a food processor so just chopped the dates by hand, only takes 5 minutes and a bit of elbow grease. Love this recipe, just what I’ve been looking for as a healthy snack at work or to take out on the trail. Thanks!

    Reply
  79. Avatar for mayonmayon says

    September 29, 2013 at 6:15 am

    Delicious bars ! I am a new vegan and your website makes the transition so easy with all these wondefful recipes ! Thank you ! :)

    Reply
  80. Avatar for Amy CAmy C says

    September 30, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    Just made them! So easy to make and delicious :) #yum

    Reply
  81. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    October 2, 2013 at 7:14 am

    I was so excited about this recipe, which was absolutely delicious, but definitely ended up with more of a granola in cereal form than a granola bar. I wonder what made mine fall apart? I feel like we followed the recipe pretty exactly!

    Reply
  82. Avatar for RaenaRaena says

    October 11, 2013 at 9:17 am

    I made these yesterday and added some milk chocolate chips……AMAZING!! I can’t believe how easy they are and how delicious! They taste like cookies, and there is no sugar in them!! I am so happy to have an alternative to the chemical-packed processed granola bars found in the grocery store!! Thank you :-)

    Reply
  83. Avatar for Ashley Urke | Domestic FashionistaAshley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says

    October 17, 2013 at 1:47 pm

    This is a great recipe! I was looking for a simple and easy recipe to use up some leftover ingredients! I replaced dates with prunes and granola for the almonds to use up what I had! A great adaptable recipe I will be keeping! It came out delicious!

    Reply
  84. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    October 17, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    Oh my goodness, I just made these and I am never buying granola bars again. I used maple syrup instead of honey (we make our own syrup so have plenty on hand…. plus I just like the taste better!) and I absolutely loved them. Thanks for sharing something so tasty and ridiculously simple :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      October 17, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      haha! Love to hear this, megan! I know. That’s exactly what I thought when I made these. I used to buy John and I those Quaker chocolate chip bars but they are too sweet and have questionable ingredients. These are WAY better and healthier – never buying storebought again!

      Reply
  85. Avatar for LondonLondon says

    October 20, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    I made this today and can’t wait for my daughter to try them. Very very tasty and will continue to make it. I notice lots of people say it won’t stay together…I did not know how hard to press the mix into the dish so i took a chance of pressing the mix very hard into the dish. Maybe the people having problems need to press it down a bit before they put it in refrigerator. Just a thought!

    Reply
  86. Avatar for Roni YonkaRoni Yonka says

    October 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    These are super easy and delicious. Any way to keep the chocolate chips from melting in the mix? I’m assuming my peanut butter and honey was too hot!

    Reply
  87. Avatar for RobynRobyn says

    October 21, 2013 at 8:33 pm

    OMG! Just made these for my brother in law who is celiac- so good! I tried another gluten-free/5 ingredient one right before I made these and they were not good. Not good at all. So I was really happy with the way these turned out. I stood on mine, that’s how hard I pressed, and it wasn’t as difficult as I thought it was going to be mixing them up. I thought with that doughy date ball it was going to be impossible, but it wasn’t. Thanks so much!

    Reply
  88. Avatar for GermaineGermaine says

    October 25, 2013 at 5:31 pm

    I just made these. I roasted the oatmeal and almonds together in the oven. I used creamy peanut butter and honey and I only had 2 dates so I filled in with apricots, figs and prunes. I chopped the fruit up nicely in my blender, took about 2-3 minutes but great consistency, like a fine dice. Mixed it all together, covered with plastic wrap, then pressed down HARD to push it all together, refrigerated for 20 minutes, worked like a charm. Delicious!

    Reply
  89. Avatar for TamaraTamara says

    October 30, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    Ever since finding this post, I make granola bars weekly now! I used your basic recipe and changed it a bit using a few different ingredients, and they have come out perfect every time! I love how easy and inexpensive they are, and my boyfriend just loves them. He takes one to work almost every day for a snack and I love knowing that he is eating something so good for him! Thanks again and again for your inspiration :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      November 1, 2013 at 5:27 pm

      Love to hear it! Thanks for sharing, Tamara.

      Reply
  90. Avatar for rachelrachel says

    October 31, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    You mentioned they last in the freezer forever….Any idea of how long they are good on the counter top? Or should they be kept in fridge?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      November 1, 2013 at 5:23 pm

      I think they’d be fine on the counter for several days, or even a week. But to keep mine fresh I prefer them in the fridge or freezer. Up to you and how fast you eat them! Hope that helps :D

      Reply
  91. Avatar for RubyRuby says

    November 3, 2013 at 5:04 pm

    I am an oatmeal hater and these enable me to get the benefits of oats in a yummy bar. Hurray!

    Reply
  92. Avatar for PattyPatty says

    November 4, 2013 at 8:52 pm

    I made them last nite and boy are these delicious! Instead of using dates I had dried cranberries and cherries… And I used my blender to process them… It was a success and even my boyfriend who is not into healthy eating loved them. Thank you for the great pictures and even better photos!

    Reply
  93. Avatar for Jeanette NybergJeanette Nyberg says

    November 6, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    These may be the most delightful little thingies I’ve ever tasted. I’m having trouble not eating it all before I get it into the pan….

    Reply
  94. Avatar for LauraLaura says

    November 7, 2013 at 1:34 pm

    Hey! This is a great recipe.

    -Laura

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      November 7, 2013 at 5:16 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Laura!

      Reply
  95. Avatar for KeriKeri says

    November 10, 2013 at 11:55 am

    When I made these, they turned out more like chunky granola than actual bars. The dates were extremely hard to break up. I think maybe next time I will add more pb and maple syrup so that it sticks together better…

    Reply
  96. Avatar for MikelaMikela says

    November 12, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    I tried this recipe lastnight. I LOVE these!!! My coworkers and family devoured them! Thank You!!!

    Reply
  97. Avatar for TanyaTanya says

    November 13, 2013 at 7:12 pm

    Ok, I ate one this morning and boy is it good! I am so glad the pan was at home! LOL! I would have ate them all!

    Reply
  98. Avatar for EliseElise says

    November 24, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    I’ve made these twice. The first time I used sugar free maple syrup and I could only find chopped dates. I also did not toast the oats. They were super delicious, but very chewy and easily fell apart. I just tried them again, following the recipe exactly, using deglet noor dates, honey and toasted oats. After reading some reviews, I pressed very hard when putting them into the baking dish. When I brought them out of the freezer, they definitely held together better than the first batch… but were still lacking the “crunch” factor I’ve been looking for. I decided to bake them a bit to see if that would help. Now they are even softer than before putting them in the oven! But overall….these bars taste amazing and I will continue making them!

    Reply
    • Avatar for EliseElise says

      November 24, 2013 at 1:28 pm

      *** Update: I let the bars cool on a cooling rack after baking. After a few minutes they were CRUNCHY!!! If you are seeking Nature Valley-style crunchy bars, I would recommend baking these!

      Reply
      • Avatar for TerriTerri says

        July 7, 2014 at 4:51 pm

        how long did you bake them for?

        Reply
  99. Avatar for EmmanuelleEmmanuelle says

    December 4, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    They are absolutely delicious! I did the recipe with half almonds/hald cashew, and next time I will try a vegan version with agave instead of honey! Thanks again for sharing the recipe :-)

    Reply
  100. Avatar for tkaztkaz says

    December 16, 2013 at 2:42 pm

    I’ve got my first attempt in the fridge. The test will be when my kiddos have them for snack after school. Like the easy ingredients, no bake, whole foods, natural sweeteners. I added 1T of flax seed for boost.

    Reply
  101. Avatar for BrittaniBrittani says

    January 2, 2014 at 10:57 am

    Sooo – I love these. I’ve made them several times, and I just have to tell you a fun modification I made – I used Craisins instead of dates – OMG. SOOOOOOOOOO good. So there’s a fun variation!!! :) Thanks for the recipe, these are my go-to quick snacks – Gluten free (I have Celiac), delicious, and healthy! :)

    Reply
  102. Avatar for PatriciaPatricia says

    January 2, 2014 at 2:07 pm

    I’ve made these twice and they were perfect both times! I only had prunes so I used them instead of dates. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  103. Avatar for Lorie BarteeLorie Bartee says

    January 4, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    These were the best granola bars I have ever eaten. I added a few splashes of vanilla and replaced almonds with roughly chopped cashews. The kids were begging me for more. Even my 3 year old wanted to make a meal out of them. Thank you for posting this recipe!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 4, 2014 at 10:16 pm

      Yay! So glad to hear these worked out for you and your family. Thank for sharing, Lorie!

      Reply
  104. Avatar for gailgail says

    January 6, 2014 at 9:57 am

    Couldn’t sleep last night so decided to make granola bars for my daughter who leaves home without eating breakfast. These are the best easiest most delicious bars I have ever tasted. I only had raisins and sunflower butter. Worked perfectly. Thanks so much.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 6, 2014 at 10:54 am

      So glad you tried these and love them, Gail! Thanks for sharing :D

      Reply
  105. Avatar for DylannDylann says

    January 8, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    I am going to add toasted coconut flakes and pecans for some different flavors. I love the simplicity!

    Reply
  106. Avatar for Angela SparrowAngela Sparrow says

    January 9, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    These are so delicious. I added dark chocolate chips and chopped all the ingredients together. I don’t think I’d buy commercial granola bars again. My friend even raved that they were delicious.
    I love your site. Thank you so much for sharing these great recipes.

    Reply
  107. Avatar for KarolaKarola says

    January 10, 2014 at 2:16 am

    I made these last night. V simple and they did look like the picture in the recipe! I blitzed my almonds for 30secs just for ease of cutting up later. Being British, I have just bought some cups (we don’t normally use these in the UK ) so for once, I didn’t have to try to convert everything into metric for hours!

    My main tip would be to use the base of the cup to flatten and press down the mix so that it is compact, flat and smooth and as the recipe says, definitely line your tin with paper to avoid having a nervous breakdown removing the bars! I had a 9×9 inch tin, but as I added around a cup of mixed dry fruit, it worked fine.

    My husband likes them and has them in his packed lunch today – a sure sign of success! Salted hint works really well too.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 10, 2014 at 10:37 am

      Glad you approved :D Thanks for the tips, too! It seems everyone’s ingredients differ a little depending on where they’re brought, so the “compacting” advice was quite helpful. Cheers!

      Reply
  108. Avatar for CharleeCharlee says

    January 11, 2014 at 9:06 pm

    GENIUS! So delicious. And I was able to process the dates decently in my Nutribullet. Nice to be able to make a “clean” snack that hits my sweet AND salty tooth at the same time. THANKS!

    Reply
  109. Avatar for ShaunahShaunah says

    January 13, 2014 at 10:34 pm

    Made these tonight! Came out perfect, but I definitely broke a sweat. Was not the easiest recipe for being minimalistic, but certainly will enjoy them for the rest of the week.

    Reply
  110. Avatar for BridgetBridget says

    January 16, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    OK…..just made these with my 3 year old daughter and we LOVE them! I am always looking for healthy new snacks for not only her but for me and my Hubby as well.

    I only had unsalted crunchy almond butter on hand so I used that but I added some granulated “Himalayan Sea Salt” to bring out the flavors of everything! This salt is very healthy for you and I cook with it so I figured “why not”! I also added just a little dried pomegranate to give it a bit of tartness!

    These are DELISH! So happy I found your website! I am looking forward to trying some of the other recipes!

    Reply
  111. Avatar for JulieJulie says

    January 17, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Wow, these are delicious! Thanks for posting this great recipe. I soaked my dates in hot water to soften them and mixed the 5 ingredients together with my hands, which makes a mess of my hands but allows me to “mush” everything together much easier :) I also found the final product to be a bit crumbly but it’s not a big deal. I wonder if mixing a bit of unsweetened applesauce into it would help make it stick?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 17, 2014 at 12:39 pm

      Julie, great question. But I don’t think applesauce would do much besides over-moisten the mixture. I think soaking the dates longer and giving them a good process is your best bet. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  112. Avatar for MeredithMeredith says

    January 18, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    These turned out great! I don’t have a food processor, so I cut up the dates and put them in a blender–it turned them into the appropriate doughy consistency. I made sure to mix all the ingredients VERY WELL–I could see how they would be crumbly if you do not mix well enough. Also make sure to very firmly press them into the baking pan and freeze for 15 minutes to harden. Delicious!

    Reply
  113. Avatar for MeganMegan says

    January 19, 2014 at 4:51 pm

    This was the recipe that originally drew me to your blog and I finally made them today. I toasted the oats, used organic raw almonds, almond butter and agave. They taste great and I will be taking them with me as I travel for work this week to give me a healthy snack while abroad! Thanks for the great recipe!!

    Reply
  114. Avatar for Tracey-LynnTracey-Lynn says

    January 19, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    I made these for the first time 3 weeks ago… Absolutely Chewy Deliciousness! They are now packed in everyone’s lunch every day.. My husband & son love them! I make a separate batch for myself replacing the honey with maple syrup, just as delicious!! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 20, 2014 at 7:43 pm

      Yay! They’re kind of my fave, too :D

      Reply
  115. Avatar for Helen @ Scrummy LaneHelen @ Scrummy Lane says

    January 20, 2014 at 11:13 pm

    Will be on a loooong plane journey at the weekend and found this while looking for an easy, healthy and tasty cereal bar recipe. I think this ticks all 3 boxes so I’ll be making these later in the week. I’ll try to let you know how they went!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 21, 2014 at 8:55 am

      Great! Please do!

      Reply
  116. Avatar for Anna ClarkeAnna Clarke says

    January 22, 2014 at 9:48 am

    I have just made a batch of these for the first time and couldn’t resist trying one. Omg they are delicious! And so easy to make. I didn’t quite have enough dates so made the rest up with apricots and raisins. Totally yummy and they stayed together perfectly. These will definitely be a regular nibble in our home. Thank you so much :)

    Anna

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 22, 2014 at 9:53 am

      Yay! love it. Thanks for sharing, Anna!

      Reply
  117. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    January 22, 2014 at 1:49 pm

    Would apricots work instead of dates? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 22, 2014 at 9:37 pm

      Yes, I think so!

      Reply
  118. Avatar for IanIan says

    January 24, 2014 at 10:23 am

    Best bars ever!!! For vegan option use agave. I’m allergic to peanuts so we use cashew butter. Even better tasting from those people that have made both. Also swapped out the Medjool dates for the parnoosh ones from Walmart that come in the square tub. And 1 other ingredient added, organic natural vanilla extract. Adds a nice touch.

    Once completed usually cut up into 1 inch squares from a double batch and makes about 100 pieces. Storing in freezer in tub for up to 2 weeks as well. Everyone in the triathlon club we are in has said they are the best bars they have ever had! And they all want the recipe. 3-4 pieces make a great energy boost when training or a mid-morning/afternoon snack. Well done on the recipe!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 24, 2014 at 1:28 pm

      Yay! So glad these turned out so well, Ian! That’s awesome that you double these and store up for quick snacks. Love that idea! Thanks for sharing and for the encouragement. Glad to have you as a reader!

      Reply
  119. Avatar for RDRD says

    January 28, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    I have made these bars twice now and my husband just loves them. I don’t have a food processor. So, I processed the dates in a blender with a little bit of water and though they didn’t become a ball like yours, the bars themselves set just fine. Also, I toasted the oats and almonds on low heat on my cast iron pan. Was just perfect – thanks Dana!

    Reply
  120. Avatar for EllyElly says

    January 30, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    I made these granola bars a couple months ago and they were amazing. I tried them again last night and they didn’t stick together. I didn’t have creamy pb so I used chunky instead, but that was the only change I made. Thoughts?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      January 30, 2014 at 1:39 pm

      Hmm, perhaps the chunky set it off since there’s less surface area to bind to the dry ingredients? Otherwise, were your dates a little dry? That can affect the sometimes. But can be fixed by soaking them for 10 minutes then draining before pureeing. Hope that helps, Elly!

      Reply
  121. Avatar for Carol SollerCarol Soller says

    January 31, 2014 at 2:36 pm

    These bars are super delicious…only problem is trying to grind the dates. Almost blew the motor on my little food processor. I ended up putting a few tablespoons of boiling water on the dates so my machine would work.
    They are so good that I have already eaten more then I should have.
    I notice you give the nutrition facts at the end of the recipe but how many servings should this make if made in the 8″ x 8″ pan?

    Reply
  122. Avatar for JillJill says

    February 7, 2014 at 9:53 am

    These were wonderful!!!! My health food store was out of dates, so I used raisins, and I used pecans instead of almonds. I also added 1 – 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds. This is what I did to get them to stay together: I placed a sheet of plastic wrap on top of the dough in the pan and pressed, and then I took a can of soup and rolled it around on top of the plastic while pressing down on the can. After refrigerating awhile, they cut apart beautifully, and they maintained their shape for almost a week, without refrigeration, until I finished them off. The last bar tasted as fresh and delicious as the first.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 7, 2014 at 12:06 pm

      Jill, you’re so smart! Love the soup can tip. I just press mine like I mean it with my hands, using some parchment paper, then freeze them. Then they cut perfectly!

      Reply
  123. Avatar for suzannesuzanne says

    February 8, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Correct me if I’m wrong but with 19 grams of sugar (almost 5 teaspoons), how are these granola bars healthy

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 8, 2014 at 4:38 pm

      Suzanne, I appreciate your insight here. I recognize 19 grams of sugar is quite a bit but it’s from all natural sources. Of course, if that’s too much for you cut back a little or just cut the bars in half. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  124. Avatar for llll says

    February 10, 2014 at 12:16 pm

    awesome recipe, can i use already made granola, instead of the rolled oats?

    also can you eat them straight out the freezer and how long does it last?

    :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 10, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      Depending on how chunky/sweet your granola is, yet. But if it’s too chunky or sweet, it may affect the flavor/texture. Yes, I eat mine right out of the freezer and they last for up to a month or more.

      Reply
  125. Avatar for NoelleNoelle says

    February 10, 2014 at 11:16 am

    Just started The Daniel Plan with my small group and while grocery shopping a little more carefully than usual, I had the sudden urge to make my own granola bars for my mid-morning snack at work. Luckily I came across your recipe fairly quickly since I was blocking up the grocery lanes searching :). I have attempted making granola bars once before and the family was not impressed with the results. Yours, though, was a WIN with the hubby! I think the key difference was toasting up the almonds and oats. Definitely gave a great flavor. We only added raisins this time because none of the other dried fruit was on sale. Two things to look into now: (1) a similar recipe minus any nut butter (for the picky one – not allergic) (2) a place to find dates and nuts at a less expensive price!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 10, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      Glad you enjoyed these!

      Reply
  126. Avatar for Emily H.Emily H. says

    February 10, 2014 at 8:27 pm

    Hi Dana! I just recently discovered your blog and am in LOVE. I made these today and have one question – mine turned out more crumbly than they should have been. They fell apart too easily. I followed the directions exactly, but maybe I added a little less honey + peanut butter than I should have? How can I make them stick together more?

    Thank you!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 11, 2014 at 11:54 am

      Hi Emily! Some people have had issues with crumbling so refer to the comments/replies for more indepth feedback. But for the most part, they’re crumbling for a few reasons:

      1) Your dates were too dry – FIX: soak them for 10 minutes then drain before blending.
      2) Your peanut butter wasn’t a natural brand or was very thick. Mine was drippy because of the oils. FIX: Use a more natural brand (just peanuts + salt) next time.
      3) You may have used slightly too many dry ingredients. FIX: Be sure to pull back on those next time to make them more sticky.
      4) You didn’t press hard enough. FIX: One reader had the idea of putting parchment paper down and then using a book to really press down hard. That’s one of the biggest keys is pressing hard enough to make sure it all conforms/sticks together.

      Hope that helps!

      Reply
  127. Avatar for NancyNancy says

    February 12, 2014 at 2:01 pm

    Does the type of oatmeal, old fashioned versus quick oats, affect the final product?

    Reply
  128. Avatar for PatricaPatrica says

    February 16, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    I love these and so does my family. To make a nut free version I substituted out the peanut butter for soy butter and put in chocolate instead of the almonds. Perfect for the kids lunches! Thanks again for the idea and the yummy at home original peanut kind!

    Reply
    • Avatar for xrivaincxrivainc says

      February 16, 2015 at 8:36 pm

      I have nut allergies and am on a heart healthy diet. I second the soynut butter substitution (creamy low-salt version), and I’ve been using salted roasted soynuts instead of the almonds. They make awesome bars.

      I’m now experimenting with adding cherry craisins and dark chocolate (72% cacao), with a touch of vanilla extract. I’m finding I need to reduce the soynuts a bit (3/4 c) to keep the volume down.

      Thanks for the great recipe.

      Reply
  129. Avatar for LoriLori says

    February 21, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    I made these with prunes instead of dates. and I added cocoa powder. they were amazing!

    Reply
  130. Avatar for AparnaAparna says

    February 22, 2014 at 5:25 am

    These are utter fabulousness! Loved them!

    Reply
  131. Avatar for AngelaAngela says

    February 25, 2014 at 6:11 pm

    These are, like, the best thing to ever happen to me! To die for, thank you for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 26, 2014 at 12:15 am

      Huge compliment! Thanks Angela! ;D

      Reply
  132. Avatar for EmilyEmily says

    February 25, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    I made some last week and they were PERFECT! Thank you for this amazing recipe. They were a huge hit with my family too — the whole batch was gone in a day. I noticed some comments about the bars being crumbly and added an extra 1/4 cup of dates just to be safe and they held together beautifully.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 26, 2014 at 12:14 am

      Thanks for sharing, Emily! Glad you enjoyed these :D

      Reply
  133. Avatar for kate blumekate blume says

    February 26, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    these are WONDERFUL! i’ve made 3 batches of them just in the last few weeks as they are irresistible and so easy to eat on the go (college student here!).

    one thing i would suggest is to put the cut up dates (i don’t own a food processor so i do it by hand) in the pot with the honey and peanut butter. when i tried to add the dates afterward the bars would not stick together. when i put the honey, pb and dates all in the hot pan at once, they bind together perfectly.

    Reply
  134. Avatar for MorningstarMorningstar says

    February 28, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    Dana, was looking for something simple and healthy, like a little scrub brush for the tummy! And this sounded like it. They turned out fantastic, what made it easy for me is I placed all dry ingredients into the warm pan with the honey and peanut butter mixture and wha la everything was covered and mix evenly. I also did 1/2 maple and 1/2 honey along with pecans and almonds. oh delicious!!! Thanks so much!

    Reply
  135. Avatar for CarolineCaroline says

    March 4, 2014 at 3:01 pm

    Yummy!! Love these bars!

    Reply
  136. Avatar for Jennifer D.Jennifer D. says

    March 7, 2014 at 8:20 pm

    Tried these the other night and they are awesome!

    Reply
  137. Avatar for AngeliqueAngelique says

    March 9, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Great recipe.

    Reply
  138. Avatar for AngeliqueAngelique says

    March 9, 2014 at 6:16 pm

    Thank you so much for sharing this granola bar recipe. I have made some before from a New York Times recipe. It was good, but I do not like to use a lot of sugar. So I am always modifying recipes, is my son is allergic to nuts. Your recipe hit the spot. I already add spices to sunflower seed butter so it tastes better so adding it to your recipe was awesome. My son loves these bars. I didn’t have any dried fruit except goji berries and I added pepita seeds instead of almonds. We just finished a class and pulled out our tray and cut ourselves a bar. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 10, 2014 at 2:22 pm

      Love it! Sounds like you customized them to your liking. So glad you enjoyed these!

      Reply
  139. Avatar for Brie (Beran) TickelBrie (Beran) Tickel says

    March 10, 2014 at 7:01 pm

    Delicious!! Thanks, Dana!! I, too, prefer roasted nuts and oats. Still a very quick and simple recipe, though. Had some crumbling apart, maybe I should have soaked the dates……?

    Reply
  140. Avatar for rahulrahul says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:18 am

    pls tell the how much days put granola bars in home that granola bar pure

    Reply
  141. Avatar for Joanna DawsonJoanna Dawson says

    March 12, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    I had to come back and say how much I LOVED these! I did everything as described (almost). I thought the mixture was a bit dry and was afraid it wouldn’t come together, so I added some extra honey, but suspect it wasn’t necessary. Will trust the recipe next time. We costed these out and figure it was about $0.30 per bar to make, and could probably do it for even cheaper. So delicious, healthy and affordable! Thank you!

    Reply
  142. Avatar for KathieKathie says

    March 13, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Got it into my head to make these, but realized I didn’t have the dates when I went to the pantry. Substituted with 1/2 figs, 1/2 dried apricots and they are outstanding. Love that they are no bake and lots of versatility with ingredients.

    Reply
  143. Avatar for MichelleMichelle says

    March 14, 2014 at 9:01 pm

    Can I use sultanas/ raisins instead of dates? Allergic to dates and figs.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 15, 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Yes!

      Reply
  144. Avatar for Jonathan LackmanJonathan Lackman says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:56 am

    These look really good. I’m going to try them this week.

    Reply
  145. Avatar for jessjess says

    March 19, 2014 at 2:47 pm

    I have an alerrgy to dates, any alternatives? or would it be okay to not use them?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 19, 2014 at 10:27 pm

      Another dried fruit, such as cherries, cranberries or raisins would work well here.

      Reply
  146. Avatar for RuthRuth says

    March 20, 2014 at 7:10 am

    Made this last night, whilst they taste amazing, they’restill sticky and gooey rather than crispy/hard. Any ideas where I went wrong?

    Reply
    • Avatar for cezycezy says

      October 20, 2014 at 4:30 pm

      Yes I have the same problem :(…Anyone ideas?

      Reply
  147. Avatar for MadjidMadjid says

    March 21, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    Hi Dana,

    I made them few days ago and they are really good. My wife and I, both loved them.
    The only thing is that I wanted to know if I could replace the peanut butter by olive oil instead.
    Do you think it will make it ?

    BTW, Thanks for the recipe.

    Madjid

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 21, 2014 at 4:17 pm

      I don’t think that will work as soundly. Perhaps you could sub another nut butter, such as almond?

      Reply
  148. Avatar for DanielleDanielle says

    March 21, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    I don’t typically have dates in the house so I took a chance and used d’noir prunes – worked great!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 21, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      Good to know!

      Reply
  149. Avatar for robynerobyne says

    March 23, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    I love these bars. Make them about every two weeks for my kids lunch boxes. Healthy and fun to make. I use a rolling pin to smooth them out and then cut them. My son tells me they look more “normal” !
    Cant wait to try some other recipes from the site. Oh…and also…the photography is just fabulous. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 24, 2014 at 9:22 am

      My heart is warmed! So glad you son loves the bars and you love the photography! Cheers, Robyne.

      Reply
  150. Avatar for RickRick says

    March 25, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Hi there, I have been meaning to try this recipe for quite awhile and after finally getting all the ingredients together I finally got my chance. I must say they are absolutely amazing. I too loved granola but since going gluten free I could no longer enjoy it and have been searching for some healthy alternatives.

    I used maple syrup instead of honey and added a little butter to the liquid since it looked like there may have not been enough. I also used 2 cups of oats and ground 1 cup in the food processor after toasting them in the oven. I also added 1/4 cup of chocolate chips. I toasted the almonds with the oats and gave them a rough chop as well.

    Thanks for sharing this recipe, it will definitely become a staple in our home. Keep up the good work!
    Rick

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      March 26, 2014 at 5:39 pm

      Yay! So glad you enjoyed these, Rick! Thanks for sharing your experience.

      Reply
  151. Avatar for sksk says

    March 31, 2014 at 8:55 am

    They were amazing!!! The only thing I changed was instead of using a whole cup of almonds, I added 1/4 cup almonds, then mixed in some chopped walnuts, chia seeds, and sunflower seeds. I definitely recommend roasting the almonds, it gives it a very nice crunch. The chia seeds add a different texture to these and also provides the nutritional value. I’ll be making more of these very soon for my whole family! I wish I had known about this recipe years ago, can’t believe I have been buying the crappy garnola bars from stores and wasting my money. These taste way better than any store bought garnola bar. I am trying to lose weight at the moment, otherwise I think chocolate chips would have been a great addition.

    Reply
  152. Avatar for AudreyAudrey says

    April 5, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Delicious, mine isn’t holding together too well, I used a little less honey, not sure if that’s why. It doesn’t matter, still very moreish, let’s see how long it lasts.

    Reply
  153. Avatar for JaniceJanice says

    April 6, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    Oh my…just made these and they are FANTASTIC. I didn’t have enough dates on hand so I did a 50/50 mix of dates and dried medjool figs, which turned out perfectly. I added some sunflower seed kernels, a handful of dried cranberries, and some M&Ms because….well, chocolate. Great for someone who’s trying to stay GF!

    Reply
  154. Avatar for ChiChi says

    April 7, 2014 at 8:23 pm

    Dana,

    Thank you SO much for such a simple yet healthy & delicious recipe. It’s truly what keeps me coming back to your website because you do live up to the name of minimalist in your recipes. I find it hard to spend a lot of time in the kitchen creating something, only to devour it in minutes, and your recipes streamline that process for me.

    I’ve made this recipe twice for my family and it’s fabulous– I use half the recommended amount of dates, double the peanut butter/almond butter + large coconut flakes. My husband truly can’t believe how easy & tasty it is to make our own granola bar.

    Thanks once again for the inspiration ; )

    Reply
  155. Avatar for CelaCela says

    April 9, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    I just discovered your site, and love it (and the amazing photography). Just made these granola bars. They are delicious. I didn’t have dates, so substituted them with figs (Turkish Smyrna from Trader Joe’s). I used raw almonds, but mixed in some salted cashews to add back a little sodium. They held together nicely, although will crumble if handled too much (I will try soaking the figs for a little while before processing next time). Even without soaking, the figs turned into a nice ball of stickiness, which worked very well, and there is just a hint of fig taste. I shaved some 72% dark chocolate on top for an added treat and antioxidants. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe. I am on to try out the black bean brownies.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      April 9, 2014 at 4:59 pm

      Glad you enjoyed these, Cela! And super glad you found us : ) Thanks for your kind words and for sharing your experience with these bars. Still one of my favorite recipes to date! Cheers.

      Reply
  156. Avatar for TayltTaylt says

    April 10, 2014 at 7:21 pm

    I made these tonight with prunes (all I could find…) and they turned out delicious! None of the flavors are overwhelming (mainly I was concerned that peanut butter can be a really strong flavor in granola bars) and it turned out amazing! I would suggest, like others, putting some oats in the food processor with the dried fruit (dates/prunes/raisins) to help blend it up…I put a few almonds in there too and I like how it affected the texture of the granola. Yum. Can’t wait to try it with other dried fruit!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      April 10, 2014 at 7:35 pm

      So glad you enjoyed these! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
  157. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    April 12, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    I’ve found that I can make 32 bars for about 4 dollars which is about the price of a package of 6-8 granola bars at the grocery store. And they taste fantastic. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe.

    Does anyone know how long these last if left in a ziplock bag or airtight container at room temperature? I like to have different containers with mixed snacks ready at hand for me to pick and choose before I have to run out the door and I really don’t want to waste these. I don’t see why these shouldn’t be shelf safe but soaking the dates is what makes me wonder.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      April 13, 2014 at 5:35 pm

      Katie, thanks so much for sharing the cost analysis on these! I had no idea they were such a great deal. As for storage, I’d think they would be fine stored at room temp for at least a week. I personally liked to keep mine in the freezer for optimum freshness, that way none go to waste. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  158. Avatar for AnnAnn says

    April 15, 2014 at 8:30 am

    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! I never imagined that the first granola bar I’ll ever eat will be made by yours truly. And it’s so yummy! Thanks again! =)

    Reply
  159. Avatar for wkwk says

    April 20, 2014 at 11:47 am

    I din really follow the recipe. Can’t find packed dates so I just replace with dried cranberry and apricot. use normal butter instead of almond butter or peanut butter. The end result is the bars crumble apart while cutting. Can I just remix everything and go bake in oven to salvage it?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      April 20, 2014 at 6:28 pm

      Never tried baking these – sorry I couldn’t be of much help!

      Reply
  160. Avatar for Sara M.Sara M. says

    April 24, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    I just wanted to tell you how great this recipe is! My kids love them (in spite of the dates). I also found a place to get date paste from, so instead of 1 cup of pitted dates, processed, I use 2/3 cup of the paste. (I figured it out by measuring how much date “paste” was after processing.) I also appreciate the fact that you don’t have to bake them, and that there’s no junk in them. Thanks again!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      April 25, 2014 at 10:27 am

      Thanks for the note on the date paste, Sara! So glad you and your family are enjoying them. Cheers!

      Reply
  161. Avatar for karolkarol says

    April 25, 2014 at 11:10 am

    how many grams weights one bar?

    Reply
  162. Avatar for LisaLisa says

    April 28, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    Hello!
    This is a great and easy recipe to follow. I made these with my husband today and couldnt wait to taste them. They are delicious. It also makes us happy to be able to make these at home using our favorite ingredients. I only used one cup of oats and a little extra honey and peanut butter and the bars still came out yumm. Thank you! ;)

    Reply
  163. Avatar for RebeccaRebecca says

    April 29, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    These are fantastic! I have made several homemade granola bars over the years that are always just mediocre. Not this recipe! These are fantastic, and much more whole food based than store bought bars. These will be a staple in our house for years to come. I individually wrapped them and am storing them in the freezer for easy grab and go snacks. Thanks!!

    Reply
  164. Avatar for CarolinaCarolina says

    May 4, 2014 at 8:42 pm

    Hi! These bars look great, but I don’t really like dates. Can I swap them for something else??

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 5, 2014 at 11:21 am

      Carolina, I don’t like dates on their own either but in this and other raw dessert recipes they’re fantastic! If you’re still hesitant, try another dried sweet fruit, such as cherries, prunes or raisins.

      Reply
      • Avatar for CarolinaCarolina says

        May 8, 2014 at 8:35 pm

        Thanks for the tip I’ll try it !!

        Reply
  165. Avatar for DaleDale says

    May 15, 2014 at 12:21 am

    Hey Dana and John!
    I’m living in Turkey and looking for a granola bar recipe since they’re not available here to buy. Pretty cool that my old college group friend’s wife had the #1 Google hit for “homemade granola bars”!

    Reply
    • Avatar for John ShultzJohn Shultz says

      May 15, 2014 at 8:52 am

      Aww – thanks Dale! And it’s amazing that you’re living in Turkey! Let us know how they turn out!

      Reply
  166. Avatar for ErishaErisha says

    May 20, 2014 at 6:10 am

    Hi Dana,

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. Would really love to try but I wanted to ask your advice on whether I can replace the honey with raw cane sugar? Would that affect the overall result in binding? Also, does it affect the method (as it is granulated and not syrup-y or liquid). Kindly advice because I can’t use honey/maple or agave. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 20, 2014 at 11:22 am

      Honey makes it stick together, so I don’t think cane sugar would work! But, you can use more dates and hopefully that will help. Can you use brown rice syrup? Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Avatar for ErishaErisha says

        May 20, 2014 at 9:16 pm

        Thank you for the help Dana. I think I will experiment with more dates then. :)

        Reply
        • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

          May 20, 2014 at 11:21 pm

          Lovely! Let me know how it goes!

          Reply
  167. Avatar for LeeLee says

    May 20, 2014 at 12:59 pm

    These are so good! I could gobble up the whole pan.
    I didn’t use a food processor. It worked just chopping the dates.
    Yum!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 20, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      haha, me too! Thanks for sharing your experience, Lee!

      Reply
    • Avatar for ConnieConnie says

      August 3, 2014 at 8:31 pm

      I was looking through these comments to see if anyone made these without a food processor since I don’t have one. Good news! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  168. Avatar for WaynetteWaynette says

    May 21, 2014 at 9:31 pm

    Dana, do you think bananas would work instead of dates? The recipe sounds great and can’t wait to try it.
    Just found your blog and will definitely be back.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      May 22, 2014 at 1:55 pm

      Not sure, but it’s worth a shot!

      Reply
    • Avatar for GeorgiaGeorgia says

      September 6, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Did using a banana work? If you don’t mind me asking :)

      Reply
  169. Avatar for Dawn M DavisDawn M Davis says

    May 28, 2014 at 2:41 pm

    I just made these for the first time and they are so simple and delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  170. Avatar for EmEm says

    June 2, 2014 at 2:30 am

    I made these for my lunch! They are so delish! I used less honey and rather when melting the homemade peanut butter I added some cinnamon, ginger and vanilla. I then cut up a small bar of 85% dark choc and stirred it when the mix was still warm. Heaven!! I am never ever buying any form of lunch bar from the supermarket again :).

    Reply
  171. Avatar for PatrickGSR94PatrickGSR94 says

    June 3, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Love this recipe! My wife and I watched the Forks Over Knives film last weekend and now we’re looking for all kinds of healthy, natural food choices. This one fits the bill!

    Instead of almonds I used cashews, which I chopped up pretty finely. I also added some dried apples and cranberries, and added 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein powder. Now I’m having trouble keeping the bars together. I had to put the glass dish in the freezer for like 2 hours just to be able to cut them, and they still crumbled a bit when cutting. We’re keeping the pieces in the fridge, and they definitely fall apart awhile after being removed from the fridge.

    My dates were moist out of the bag so I didn’t soak them in water or anything. Could the protein powder have made the mix too dry or something?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      June 3, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      Lovely! So glad you enjoyed it. Publishing another naturally-sweetened, simple granola bar recipe next week, so stay tuned!

      Reply
  172. Avatar for PoonamPoonam says

    June 9, 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Hey, I will try these out asap, but one question, how would cornflakes, sweetened or not taste in here, or some museli?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      June 9, 2014 at 2:29 pm

      Probably pretty good! Let me know how you like it if you give it a try!

      Reply
  173. Avatar for hippymomelizabethhippymomelizabeth says

    June 9, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    My daughter – karinthia and myself just made these !!!

    Reply
  174. Avatar for Sara H.Sara H. says

    June 10, 2014 at 9:00 am

    I used to love granola bars, but stopped buying them because of the number of ingredients and high sugar content, etc. So I was excited to find and try this recipe. These granola bars are excellent! Very tasty, and very easy to make. I add 1 Tbsp or so of Chia seed for some omega 3, but other than that have made it as posted. My 3 and 5 year old enjoy them too, which is a major plus. Thanks for this recipe!

    Reply
  175. Avatar for AnikaAnika says

    June 16, 2014 at 5:19 pm

    @Dana These sound wonderful, but what are your recommendations for substitutes for all of the sugar? 19g of sugar is too high for me and I hope there are some substitutes cus I really want to make these!! Thanks a ton!

    Reply
  176. Avatar for JaimeJaime says

    June 16, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    Made these tonight and they turned out great! Thanks! I did make a few modifications… I pulsed 1/4 cup of oats with the dates in the food processor (not sure if it did any good because I still got a ball). I subbed 1/4 cup of the oats with 1/4 cup ground flax meal. Then, instead of mixing by hand, I put everything back in the food processor and pulsed until fully combined. The oats were chopped up, but they bars held together perfectly and were delicious! I used maple syrup instead of honey and didn’t add any almonds. There are so many possibilities with these bars! I might try using undentured grass-fed whey protein powder in my next batch. Also, since coconut oil is naturally a little sweet, you might be able to use 2 tbsp of coconut oil and 2 tbsp of sweetener to cut down on the sugar content. Thanks again!

    Reply
  177. Avatar for Syesha OmarSyesha Omar says

    June 22, 2014 at 3:46 am

    Hi Dana! I made the granola bars last night and they were AMAZING, but they refuse to stick together and keep falling apart!! Am I not putting enough peanut butter or dates????

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      June 23, 2014 at 4:32 pm

      It is likely that your dates weren’t sticky enough or you didn’t use enough. Next time, soak your dates in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain before processing. A little extra PB never hurts either. Oh, one last tip – put something flat on them and press down REALLY hard so they compress and hold together! Hope that helps!

      Reply
  178. Avatar for MM says

    June 26, 2014 at 4:04 pm

    What are your rules for publishing your recipes, along with corresponding photos, in magazines? My magazine would like to use your 5 Ingredient Granola Bar recipe and photo in a healthful eating spread, and, of course, we would give you credit.

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      June 26, 2014 at 10:59 pm

      See our about page for details!

      Reply
  179. Avatar for HelenaHelena says

    June 27, 2014 at 12:06 am

    I made these today. They tasted absolutely incredible. The bars included: toasted almonds, banana chips and coconut. Here are some tips that I thought would be of help to the recipe.

    1. Not everyone has a food processor. And to save washing extra bowls and dishes from the food processor, you can simmer the dates in a little bit of water to soften them so they become a paste. Stir frequently, adding water as needed. I added vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt. Then I stirred in the peanut butter and honey.

    2. I mixed the oats with the dried fruit and nuts, and then added the liquid mixture.

    Next time I will make these, I will take out the honey and add coconut butter or coconut oil. I found these bars to be sweet enough with the dates. Having another stabilizer (coconut) will hold these bars together a little better. I found that, even after pressing them down firmly, they were slightly on the crumbly side.

    Reply
  180. Avatar for pqapqa says

    June 29, 2014 at 12:10 am

    How many days exactly can it be store?

    Reply
  181. Avatar for Regina @ Leelalicious.comRegina @ Leelalicious.com says

    June 30, 2014 at 6:01 pm

    I made these awesome granola bars on the weekend. They were huge hit with my husband too. I love that they dont require baking (though I did toast the oats). I didn’t have almonds on hand so subbed in some trail mix (seeds + raisins mainly) and they still hold together perfectly!

    Reply
  182. Avatar for ElizaEliza says

    July 3, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    Made these the other day and was so impressed with the results. My bars tasted so yummy and have now disappeared within a couple of days. Two of my friends have since tried the recipe and fallen in love also so thank-you for introducing me to food-heaven once again!

    Reply
  183. Avatar for DamonDamon says

    July 7, 2014 at 7:08 pm

    I made these this morning, with the addition of a tablespoon each of chia seeds and ground flaxseed, and about 1/4 cup dried cranberries. I also lightly toasted the oats and nuts. I enjoyed them, but they were good, not great.

    The bars held together well for me without refrigeration. I simmered the honey for about a minute or two to evaporate a little liquid before adding the peanut butter. I let it cool on the counter for 5 min before cutting. Not crumbly at all.

    Tip: add the date paste to the pot after the peanut butter has melted, and heat together until it’s pliable. This makes it easier to combine the wet and dry teams.

    Reply
  184. Avatar for MicheleMichele says

    July 14, 2014 at 10:02 pm

    These granola bars are absolutely amazing. I have made them several times and each time have been asked for the recipe. With the last batch I made, I topped them with melted 70% dark chocolate and they were awesome.

    Reply
    • Avatar for MicheleMichele says

      July 14, 2014 at 10:05 pm

      Forgot to mention, that one batch I made I was out of almonds so substituted raw peanuts (skin on) which I roasted with the oats and that was probably the most successful batch yet!

      Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 15, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      Lovely! So glad you enjoyed these, Michele. Great idea on the melted dark chocolate! So yummy.

      Reply
  185. Avatar for susansusan says

    July 15, 2014 at 9:45 am

    Could you use dried plums instead of dates??

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      July 15, 2014 at 11:13 pm

      Yes, I would think so!

      Reply
  186. Avatar for KellyKelly says

    July 18, 2014 at 9:58 am

    Can I make these without the dates? if so, what would anyone suggest I use instead?

    Reply
  187. Avatar for Sarah GravesSarah Graves says

    July 19, 2014 at 8:37 am

    These are great! Made them with raisins, had no dates. I think I would like to try figs next time? Everyone loved them.
    I toasted the oats and almonds and rough chopped the almonds and threw in a handful of oats with the raisins while processing. Great recipe, fully customizable.

    Reply
  188. Avatar for MargieMargie says

    July 20, 2014 at 2:25 am

    These are so great, but you totally don’t need the dates! They make the bars so unbearably sweet. I made them again without any dates and they’re perfect. Make sure you use enough honey or they won’t stick together. Any ideas on a second ingredient to make them stick together so that you don’t have to use so much honey? (I had to use almost half a cup.)

    Reply
  189. Avatar for MayMay says

    July 23, 2014 at 6:32 pm

    I’m from Malaysia. I have been purchasing commercial bar for my kids which are very expensive in this part of the world. I found your recipe and was amazed with the result after first try! They are so easy to make and my kids who do not like dates love them! They thought the black sticky stuff is chocolate!! Thank you so much for sharing! This is definitely a keeper for me.

    Reply
  190. Avatar for Joel MJoel M says

    July 23, 2014 at 5:01 pm

    I’m definitely going to have to try these! Although I’d also be interested in a more energy packed bar to take when cycling, what extra ingredients would you recommend? Just more honey?

    Reply
  191. Avatar for JadeJade says

    July 30, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Thank you! I’m always on the lookout for a fast, nutritious, efficient breakfast! These are delicious, but next time I’m going to use half the honey. Gorgeous photography, it was very motivating!

    Reply
  192. Avatar for Lori EsauLori Esau says

    August 1, 2014 at 4:04 am

    I had just dehydrated figs, apples, and bananas. They were great chopped, and added in.

    Reply
  193. Avatar for Donna GibsonDonna Gibson says

    August 1, 2014 at 8:48 am

    This recipe sounds amazing and I plan to try it! I have a question about the peanut butter though. There are now processed peanut butter products that use the term “natural” because they don’t contain high fructose corn syrup. Is that the product you’re referring to in the ingredients? Or are you referring to the freshly ground peanut butter that contains pretty much nothing but peanuts? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 1, 2014 at 11:36 am

      I’m referring to peanut butter that’s just peanuts and salt!

      Reply
  194. Avatar for CorinnaCorinna says

    August 3, 2014 at 6:24 am

    Hi, Dana!
    Thanks for this simple but very yummy recipe.
    For a vegane version, I took rice syrup instead of honey. And, as it was not sticky enough, I added a little bit more rice syrup.
    I used my new Tup***ware bar formers (4 quite big bars which should be cut in halfs or 4 parts when they are ouf the bar former) and, with the rest of the pastry, I used my new Tup***ware molding tower set (6 bottoms of the form are covered with pastry and in the deep freezer for a later use as first layer of a delicious dessert with whipped cream …).
    Greetings from Germany (Bavaria).

    Reply
  195. Avatar for JenJen says

    August 3, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    These are wonderful just as you have described, but my son is not a fan of peanut butter or almond butter. I know if I take that out, they may not stay together as well. Any suggestions on how to omit the “butter” and still have them stick together and taste good? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 3, 2014 at 9:16 pm

      More dates! And more honey. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  196. Avatar for DianaDiana says

    August 5, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    Hey! This recipe seems SO EASY!! And I really want to make it. But I can’t find peanut or almond butter anywhere. Is it alright if I replace it with regular butter?

    Reply
  197. Avatar for DeniseDenise says

    August 6, 2014 at 7:47 pm

    Does it matter if it is quick cooking oats?

    Reply
  198. Avatar for Laura ChandlerLaura Chandler says

    August 8, 2014 at 10:56 am

    I have made these twice and toasted the almonds, not the oats….YUMMMM. Even my 9 y.o. daughter, who loves her Kashi granola bars, loves these better! Thank you thank you thank you!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 8, 2014 at 11:55 am

      Yay! So glad you and your family enjoy them. Thanks for sharing, Laura!

      Reply
  199. Avatar for RebeccaRebecca says

    August 8, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    Insanely delicious, and so easy to customize. I like adding raw pumpkin seeds, raw sunflower seeds, chia seeds and coconut, and using various nuts. I’m seriously addicted. Can’t thank you enough for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
  200. Avatar for AimeeAimee says

    August 10, 2014 at 3:13 am

    Did this and subbed the dates for sultanas. Blended them till they were a purée to hold them together. Worked very well!!

    Reply
  201. Avatar for KimberlyKimberly says

    August 11, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    I prepped this in 15 minutes! Delicious and organic and homemade…doesn’t get any better!

    Reply
  202. Avatar for WesleyWesley says

    August 11, 2014 at 10:32 pm

    Yum…added dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, chia seeds and hemp harts so I increased the peanut butter and honey by a little bit to add some extra bind. Can’t wait to havethese as a snack at work.

    Reply
  203. Avatar for AyuAyu says

    August 16, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    Hi Dana, oh it looks delicious. how long do they keep in the fridge or at room temp?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 18, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      In the fridge several weeks. At room temp at least a week. In the freezer for months!

      Reply
  204. Avatar for JesseJesse says

    August 17, 2014 at 8:02 pm

    Have you found the honey/agave syrup to be a necessity? (as a bonding agent) I know the dates are sweet enough as they are, so is the additional sweetness required?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 18, 2014 at 2:19 pm

      Not at all! It’s more for extra stickiness and binding. But add a few more dates and then go without!

      Reply
    • Avatar for RuchiRuchi says

      September 14, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      We tried it without honey/agave syrup and it turned out sweet enough for us. The recipe is so easy that the whole family pitched in. My husband processed the dates and our four year old added chocolate chips. It turned out great! Thanks so much for the recipe.

      Reply
  205. Avatar for SethSeth says

    August 19, 2014 at 6:48 am

    Thanks for posting this recipe! For someone who is not a date fan, do you have another recommendation to use in its place?

    Reply
    • Avatar for CrystalCrystal says

      September 3, 2014 at 11:40 am

      Hi Seth, I’ve tried similar recipes using figs or raisins – the raisins need to be super soft, you can soak them in warm water 5-10 mins first to soften them – and they’ve worked great. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • Avatar for CandaceCandace says

        January 10, 2015 at 8:41 pm

        Any particular type of raisins? I’m allergic to the entire coconut/palm family so dates and figs are out but raisins I can do, anything else you would recommend to try?
        Any ideas are welcome!
        Thx

        Reply
  206. Avatar for ReneeRenee says

    August 19, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Amazing! Will never buy store bought granola bars again! And I don’t even like dates…usually! Thanks so much for sharing!
    I toasted my oats and slivered almonds, used chunky peanut butter, added mini chocolate chips and dang brand coconut chips. Irresistible! Can’t wait to try other combinations!

    Reply
  207. Avatar for Lisa SmithLisa Smith says

    August 19, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    These are so awesome. I can’t believe how great they taste with so few ingredients. I’ve made them several times, already & shared the recipe with all my friends! I’ve added pecans both times so technically, mine were more than 5 ingredients! I used figs once instead of dates because I had them on hand which worked fine as a substitute. They just have little minute seeds in them but the texture works well to hold the bars together. I also added some dried plums (prunes) once, as well. This recipe is so yummy & versatile, you could use all sorts of different things! I dry fresh fruit from my farmers market so I’m planning on making some with the different fruits over the winter. I store my granola bars in the freezer in a rubbermade container which is perfect to grab one out to put in my lunch. I wrap it in a small piece of foil. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe with us!! I would encourage everyone to try it. You won’t be disappointed and you won’t feel any guilt because they are so simple and healthy!

    Reply
  208. Avatar for SallySally says

    August 23, 2014 at 10:46 am

    Just made these, they are quick and easy and taste delicious! These delights will be taking the place of my chocolate bar addiction. Love love love ! Will also be perfect for those busy days when you skip breakfast. Thank you for my happy joy granola bars!

    Reply
  209. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    August 25, 2014 at 2:44 pm

    Very easy to make, the honey and peanut butter only took 1 min in the microwave.

    Reply
  210. Avatar for JeanetteJeanette says

    August 26, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    Delicious. Didn’t have almonds but used pecans which I toasted and some coconut which I also toasted, added the vanilla, used half honey and half maple syrup. So simple and easy to put together, made them yesterday and they barely lasted the day. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  211. Avatar for IsabelleIsabelle says

    August 29, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I forgot to rate this along with my comment.

    Reply
  212. Avatar for IsabelleIsabelle says

    August 29, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    I made some so our two live-in college students can more easily fight the hungries and not give in to junk before they can get home again. I shared half the bars with a friend whose family found them so perfect, she’s going to make them for her family now, too. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      August 29, 2014 at 1:45 pm

      Great! Thanks for sharing, Isabelle!

      Reply
      • Avatar for fifi parkerfifi parker says

        September 13, 2014 at 7:23 am

        Hi dana, is there like a substitute for honey? Because I dont have a lot of that.

        Reply
  213. Avatar for HannahHannah says

    August 29, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    Thanks!
    haha made them as study snacks. They were so quick and easy that I could make them in one study break, and they lasted me a few days (cut it into 36 little squares though)

    Reply
  214. Avatar for MaryMary says

    September 1, 2014 at 1:55 pm

    Dana I just made using unpasterized warmed honey and added a
    bit of light canola oil to maximize on the holding.
    Also I added Tblspn of Fr.s Coaco pwder for extra taste.

    Reply
  215. Avatar for LeanneLeanne says

    September 5, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Reply
  216. Avatar for WendyWendy says

    September 6, 2014 at 5:26 am

    19 g of sugar in one bar is hardly healthy… Look delicious though.

    Reply
  217. Avatar for CatherineCatherine says

    September 6, 2014 at 8:09 am

    These are soooo good and easy to make, perfect for the lunch box, I didn’t have whole almonds so I used flaked, which I toasted.

    Reply
  218. Avatar for Olga AmayaOlga Amaya says

    September 6, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    I love these granola bars, the best recipe ever. This is my favorite blog!!!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      September 8, 2014 at 5:54 pm

      Thanks Olga! xo

      Reply
  219. Avatar for MarieMarie's Paradise says

    September 7, 2014 at 8:50 am

    My husband tried this recipe…and it is really so so delicious!! I will not buy granola bars in the supermarket ever again! If you don’t mind, I think I will put your recipe on my blog (maybe I’ll add a few ingredients…and I will of course make sure your blog is mentioned)! :-)

    Reply
  220. Avatar for ashtonashton says

    September 7, 2014 at 9:22 pm

    Hi! I love your site! Such cute photos. How do you know what the nutrition information from your recipe? I have a wordpress blog too! How do I get the cute recipe plug-in that you use for your site?
    Thank you!!

    A

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      September 8, 2014 at 5:45 pm

      The recipe plug in is easy recipe and I use caloriecount.com to provide nutrition estimates. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  221. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    September 9, 2014 at 3:33 pm

    Made these today substituting the dates for raisins. Taste is super duper! Only one problem – they aren’t very firm and don’t hold their shape well. Think the raisins were a little too juicy after soaking (oops). Will be trying again with dates in the near future as the simplicity and taste of this recipe is absolutely fab! Thank you so much for sharing :) xx

    Reply
  222. Avatar for Jorge MoryJorge Mory says

    September 9, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    Thanks! simply but good recipe. I tried with dried fruit intead of dates (i dislike them) and works perfect. Now i am going for my second try ;). Greets from Chile. (sorry for my poor english)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      September 10, 2014 at 4:03 pm