Crunchy Oats and Honey Granola Bar – Nut & Gluten Free

Crunchy oats and honey granola bar – if you like thin, crunchy granola bars with classic, no nut ingredients, then this bar is for you.

crunchy granola bar

In our house, it’s my girl that loves crunchy, simple oat bars. And now, finally, after many attempts, we have an oats and honey granola bar recipe that doesn’t crumble, satisfies her cravings and meets my desire for more fibre and less salt and sugar. And because it’s nut free, there’s no problem sending these bars to school.

crunchy granola bar

Crunchy Oats and Honey Granola Bar Recipe

crunchy granola bar
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Crunchy Oats and Honey Granola Bars

A crunchy oats and honey bar that is easy to make and perfect for packing and taking anywhere. Made with whole grain oats, quinoa puffs and brown rice cereal.
Prep : 20 minutes
Cook : 30 minutes
Author: Getty Stewart

Ingredients

  • 2 cups large flake oats
  • 1/4 cup oat flour grind 1/4-1/3 cup oats*
  • 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
  • 1/4 cup hemp hearts or sesame seeds
  • 1/2 cup quinoa puffs
  • 3/4 cup brown rice cereal
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Toast oats, by spreading on large baking sheet and baking at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Line 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
  • In large bowl, combine oats, oat flour, flax seeds, quinoa puffs, brown rice cereal and salt.
  • In small bowl, mix oil, honey, vanilla and brown sugar.
  • Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well.
  • Transfer to prepared pan and press down firmly into an even layer.
  • Bake for 25 minutes or until light golden brown on top. Bake slightly longer for crispier bars.
  • Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then use parchment paper to lift bars onto cutting board. Cool completely, then cut into bars. (I usually cut 3 across and 8 or 9 along the long edge).
  • Store in an airtight container or freeze if keeping more than 7 days.

Notes

Grind your own oat flour by placing 1/4 cup large flake oats in a coffee/spice grinder and pulsing until fine flour.
To ensure this recipe is gluten free, buy oats rolled in a gluten free factory (the oat package will state if it is gluten free).
Like any bar, you can swap in your favorite ingredients (nuts, dried fruit, chocolate seeds, etc.). Just keep the ratio of small flour like bits and larger bits about the same. 
 
Tried this recipe?Mention @GetGettyS or tag #GetGettyS

Tips and Tricks for Crunchy Granola Bars

1.Toasting the oats helps make these bars crunchy. The toasting prevents the liquid ingredients from softening the oats. Don’t skip this step if you want your bars crunchy! It also adds a more nut like flavor.

2.Use a glass, your hand and parchment paper, a rolling pin, or the bottom of a pot or measuring cup to firmly press the raw ingredients into the baking pan. Seriously – press hard!

crunchy oats and honey bar pressing

3. The combination of honey and brown sugar helps set these bars. If you use one or the other or substitute with other sweeteners, results will vary as sweeteners harden differently.

4. When the bars come out of the oven, let them cool in the pan for 15 minutes before moving them. And then let them cool some more before cutting them.

crunchy oats and honey bar baked

I used a long straight edged blade to chop through the bars. I just pressed down, no back and forth see saw motion.

crunchy oats and honey bar cutting

5. Using a 9 x 13 inch pan makes these bars fairly thin – that’s a good thing because it helps get them crunchy and it helps with portion control!

crunchy oats and honey bar thin

6. The oat flour or ground up oats help stick everything together. The flour will fill in the nooks and crannies that are left if you use just big pieces of oats and add-ins. The bigger your ingredient pieces the more air pockets there will be and the higher the risk of crumbly bars.

crunchy granola bar

Other Oat Recipes

Large flake oats are a staple in our house, we eat them for breakfast at least three times a week. Oats are one of the most nutritious, versatile, delicious and easy to cook whole grains available. If you don’t believe me, check out this article on Oats written by one of my trusted sources for nutrition info, Canadian Registered Dietitian Rosie Schwartz.

In addition to this oats and honey bar recipe, here are some other ways we enjoy oats.

If you have any questions, let me know, I’m always happy to connect with readers.

In the meantime, if you make these bars, please take a pic and share it with me by tagging @getgettys on Instagram. Or leave a comment and let me know how it went.

Select, store and serve seasonal food for everyday cooking with Getty. Getty is a food educator and Professional Home Economist, who loves sharing tips and recipes following the seasons from her Canadian kitchen. Sign up to get seasonal tips and recipes delivered to your inbox. Learn more about Getty or check out her books and pdf guides.

2 Comments

  1. Hi Getty:

    Not sure if you know, but Co-op @ Grant Park sells a certified gluten-free brand called “Only Oats” I’ll be trying this yummy
    looking recipe! Bulk Barn sells this brand too, but it’s quite a bit more expensive.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.