This recipe is totally versatile, based on what you have on hand, and what your likes/dislikes are. Don’t be afraid to mix things up a little. I just tried to make my dry ingredients & my add-ins the same as the original recipe (but all gluten free ingredients, of course), and it worked great. I think using some gluten-free puffed rice or corn flakes may be nice next time, just to lighten them up a little, making them a little less dense.
What are your favorite granola add-ins? M&M’s? Chocolate chips? A certain dried fruit? Herb (that could be interesting, huh?) Please share, the combinations are endless, I’m sure.
Gluten Free Homemade Granola Bars
I cut approximately 26 bars from this recipe, 1"x5 1/2", and stored them in tiny snack sized zipper bags (1 per bag). Perfect to grab on the way out the door, so you will never be stuck without something to snack on.
Ingredients
- 2 cups certified gluten-free rolled oats
- 3/4 cup gluten-free rice bran
- 1/4 cup ground flax seed
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup quinoa
- 1/4 cup shelled sunflowers
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup flaked coconut
OR You can do:
- 2 cups certified gluten-free rolled oats
- 3/4 cup rice bran
- 1 cup of nuts, crushed (pecan, walnut, cashew, macadamia, almond, etc.)
- 3/4 cup seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, flax, sesame, etc.)
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup honey (or 1/4 cup honey, plus 1/4 cup maple, agave, or brown rice syrup)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped dried fruit (cherries, cranberries, blueberries, apricots, etc.)
Instructions
Notes
Source: Based on a recipe from Phoo-d.com
Sarah says
That is a beautiful looking granola bar. I really need to venture into the world of making my own granola bars. I love my bars to taste like oatmeal cookies, but with cranberries instead of raisins. Thanks for sharing this.
Eliana says
There's nothing like a good homemade granola bar. This one looks perfect.
Betsy says
Oh, you have come to the rescue! I have been looking all over for a granola bar to make to go camping with this weekend and coming up with nothing that may work. I cannot have oats however so I wonder if ground up walnuts may work as a replacement – any ideas on that?
Also, I am fairly new to the gf world so is the quinoa cooked, or just the dried grain or flakes? Sorry, I know very little about them.
Thanks for the recipe!
Jeanine says
Sarah, I was thinking of doing a batch with dried cranberries & white chocolate chips. I bet that'd taste great!
Betsy, I so know what you're talking about! Wow! First off, this recipe is compiled of a bunch of things I had on hand. I threw the quinoa in cause I had it. 🙂 I used the uncooked grains, but I'm thinking flakes would work well too. As for the oats, maybe try a combination of ground nuts and crushed gf cereals? Like I said, there are SO many different variations that can be made, just try to keep the dry ingredients about the same quantity as this recipe, so that the syrup quantity is still right for it. 🙂
betty r says
I love homemade granola bars..your recipe looks much like mine.
I need to make them again.
Jeanine says
In that case, Betty, you have a great granola recipe! I like that it isn't baked, and it doesn't have flour in it, so it's not cookie like. Very impressed with this recipe, may have to make some for the gluten eaters in the family too. 😉
Cinde says
These sound really good, thanks for the recipe.
You listed "Barley Malt Syrup" as a sweetener in the ingredients. Barley Malt contains gluten, so I am thinking it is a typo. I just thought I would bring it to your attention just in case.
Jeanine says
Duh! Good point, Cinde! I'm thinking brown rice syrup. I'll go change that. 😉 Thanks!
Gwen says
I'm very excited to try this recipe! I'm always looking for healthy homemade treats for me and the fam. thx!
angelina says
hi, these look fantastic. ive been looking EVERYWHERE. can you provide a sub for ricebran? (i havent got any) any grain will do? flour? cooked rice?
Jeanine says
Don't let the rice bran stop you! I'd replace it with quinoa flakes, or up the seeds to make the 3/4 cup needed. As long as your dry ingredients equal about the same, so that the syrup that you pour over there isn't too much, it should be good. Don't be afraid to play around with this recipe, it's very forgiving!
Genevieve says
This is delicious! It's the second time I make it. Kids adore it!
How would I make it less sweet thou? Should I simply put less brown sugar? Will it remain the right consistency?
I made it with blueberries today! DELISH!!
Lauren says
OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I have been looking for a chewy gf granola bar that actually holds together since my 3 yr old was diagnosed with celiac in May. I have tried, miserably failed at, and thrown away, many many recipes, and many many granola bars. These are perfect!! I used oats, Koala Krisp cereal and raisins, I also subbed Karo syrup instead of honey and they are FANTASTIC!!!! He gobbled them with his lunch. Thanks for making my little man smile and feel a little more "normal"!
Jeanine says
Awwww…Lauren, THAT is exactly why I share recipes. I know what you mean about trying & failing to find "THE" recipe. So glad that they worked out as well for you as they did for me. 🙂
Phoo-D says
I'm so glad that these worked out for you and that you were able to make them gf! We love these bars and they are the perfect snack for high energy activities.
Jeanine says
Yes, I'm lovin' these granola bars. 🙂 The recipe is so versatile & the syrup is perfect! thanks so much for the base recipe. 🙂
Jeanine says
@Anonymous Welcome rho to the crazy world of gluten-free baking/eating! 🙂 Don't worry, you'll be cruising along without "training wheels" in no time.
If there is an allergy to honey, I would try doing 1/3 cup maple syrup, brown rice syrup or light molasses PLUS 2 Tbsp granulated sugar in place of the 1/2 cup of honey. I can't guarantee it'll be the same, as I haven't tried it, just what I'm "guessing" at after doing some reading.
Anonymous says
These taste good with 1/2 cup brown rice syrup (no honey) and a tbsp or two of (soy or cow's) milk added to the cooking mix, which seems to tenderize them a bit – the first batch was very hard after it cooled.
I use wet hands to press the mix into the pan, and cut them while they're still warm. Quinoa flakes instead of rice bran, and pumpkin seeds instead of quinoa grains – this is really a good recipe that I make regularly now. Many thanks!
Stephen & Rebekah Page says
I am so completely in love with your site! I feel so free to be able to make actual good gluten free- it sure has come a long way!!!!
Jeanine - The Baking Beauties says
Thank you, Stephen & Rebekah! It sure has come a long way, I can't wait to see what the next few years brings. 🙂
Marianne says
This looks fantastic! Any ideas of what I could use instead of rice bran? My sweet GF girl is allergic to rice (and corn). Thank you!
Marianne says
Oh! I just found another comment above about trying quinoa flakes instead of rice bran. No need to answer the previous question. 🙂
Jeanine says
Glad that you found your own answer, Marianne! The recipe for these granola bars is very flexible. Basically, you want to come up with the same amount of dry ingredients, so that the wet ingredients cover it the same way (not too syrupy, but enough that it will still stick together). Quinoa flakes are a good sub, or even ground flax seed. Hope you enjoy them!
Dawn says
I just made these. I used mostly lyles syrup (I had about 2tbs of honey left) and they turned out great.
I also used 1 cup of coconut and used sunflower and pumpkin seeds making sure to keep the total dry ingredient measurements the same.
Thanks for the recipe base! I’ve been on the search for a good granola bar for a long time 🙂
Jeanine says
That’s great, Dawn! As long as you keep the dry & wet ingredients about the same, the combinations are endless!
Mandy says
Can you freeze the ones you won’t eat in a week? Might be a dumb question but I’m new to all of this too!
Also, do you think margarine would work instead of butter? I have a dairy allergy as well as gluten intolerance.
Jeanine says
I think as long as you wrap each bar individually, it would work to freeze them without a problem. And margarine will work just fine. 🙂
sarah says
I have been looking high and low for a glutn free granola recipe! Thank youuu! I am on a anti candida diet and I cannot have dairy, sugar (except stevia) and wheat. I may have to replace the oats with steel cut but its okay in moderation.
Thanks again! I love quinoa
Sylvia says
These are amazing – I accidentally toasted my 2nd batch a bit too much, but one person said it made them better and it was the “best granola he’s ever tasted or purchased!”…and he’s not even gluten free.
My substitutions were milled flax seed, I used raisins and flavoured dried cranberries and also put in extra cinnamon. The first time I used agave nectar and maple syrup – but the bars fell apart. Definitely need to use some honey for a better binder.
Question – do you have the nutritional information on these handy? (calories, fat, sodium, protein etc..) If not I will calculate, but thought I’d ask 😉
Jeanine says
That’s awesome, Sylvia! It is amazing what a little extra toasting can do for the flavours.
I don’t have the nutritional information available though, sorry. If you do figure it out, would you mind sharing? Thanks!
Kristina says
Hi Jeanine, I just made these today, let cool. They aren’t staying together. I doubled the recipe and may have goofed on some math. I also soaked my oats overnight but dried, toast in oven. I even tried taking a mound in my hands and squeezing and it still does not hold together. Any ideas? I’m willing to take it all out of the pan and add whatever may get it to work and repress. It tastes delicious though. We leave in two days for a week long camping trip. Thanks!
Kristina says
Update…I put wax paper on them and pressed down with all my strength. Then let them sit in the tray overnight covered with the wax paper. I was able to cut them this morning and they held together as long as they were cut very small. Yeah! I think I will use the suggestion from above and use all honey next time. (I used a combo of honey, maple and agave).
Marisa says
I just made these last night… super delicious!! I used the bran, oats, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup pecans, 3/4 cup sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup coconut, and 1 cup cranberries… excellent combination. Thanks for the recipe!!! And the brown sugar added in is TO DIE FOR!!!
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
Hmm. I’m wondering how I missed seeing this recipe all this time! I too have been looking for a good granola bar and this one sounds like just what I’ve been looking for!
Thanks Jeanine!
Jeanine Friesen says
What – you haven’t read EVERY SINGLE RECIPE here, Michelle? lol KIDDING! I like making these to take along hiking, etc. They pack up really well, and are totally customizable, as long as you have the same amount of dry ingredients so that the amount of syrup is right.
GwenH says
Hi Jeannie, what is Rice Bran? I have not seen it at the store that sells gluten free products near me. I live in a small rural area, there are no big city stores within 2 hours from me. Is it just another name for Rice Flour or can rice flour be substituted for rice bran? I was recently diagnosed with celiac disease, and I’m still learning all about the GF Flours. Could a person use ground almonds in place of rice bran?
I have been looking for a recipe for Granola Bars, and this might is the first one I’ve found…. thank-you for all your great recipes, I look forward to trying lots of them.
Jeanine Friesen says
HI Gwen! In this recipe, you can EASILY sub the rice bran for anything else, as long as your dry & wet ingredient amounts stay the same. Ground almonds sounds fantastic.
This is rice bran, for future reference: http://www.bobsredmill.com/rice-bran.html
GwenH says
Ok thanks Jeanine, I will give that a try and let you know how it turns out. Thanks for you help on the Rice Bran, I will keep an eye open for it next time I’m shopping.
GwenH says
Hi Jeanine, I made your Granola Bars today and OMG they are delicious!! I used almond meal and coconut meal for the rice bran, and slivered almonds, cashew pieces, slightly ground flax seed, pecans, coconut, sunflower seeds, and for the dried fruit all I had was raisins so I added a few chocolate chips in with the raisins.
Thank-you so much for the recipe, I had a craving granola bars for a few months ago, but didn’t have the strength or desire to make them, then after I was diagnosed with CD I thought I would never be able to have granola bars, but thanks to your recipe I can make them when ever I want to.
Jeanine Friesen says
Haha, they are good, aren’t they? Totally versatile too, as long as you keep the dry & wet ingredient proportions the same. Thanks for your comment, it make me smile.
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
These granola bars sound awesome! Is there any way you can think of to add some protein powder so they would have more protein? I’ve tried g bars before but used agave syrup but they always fall apart. I can’t each much sugar, but will try small amount of honey on these. I’m reading this post in Jan. 2014 and last reply was June of 2013! so you may not get this reply… don’t know… but am happy to find this recipe and will give it a try! I would love if they were protein rich as love taking protein bars with me when I go on trips in the car, as so hard to find anywhere to stop and eat (that is gluten free).!!
Jeanine Friesen says
Marilyn, I think I would replace a few tablespoons (maybe 1/4 cup) of the rice bran with gluten-free protein powder, or even dry milk powder.
amanda says
These are amazing!!! I didn’t have rice bran, but almond flour was a fabulous substitute. I also didn’t use the brown sugar, just the honey. Wonderful!!