I love trail mix.
I mean, if it has chocolate in it, that is.
These granola bars happened because I missed the (almost) raw goodness of my breakfast cookies and needed another morning snack that had just as much staying power and was as easy to make.
They also happened because I saw that Trader Joe’s (my literal heaven on earth) started stocking cashew butter. Something with that nutty goodness needed to happen FAST, let me tell you.
If you don’t have cashew butter, any nut butter will work in these bars. I suggest something off the beaten path (read: not peanut), but whatever your favorite is, go for it.
For my other add-ins, I went with roasted salted pistachios (shelled, thank god), coconut, raisins, almonds, and chocolate.
Of course.
These date-sweetened bars take five minutes or less and come together in the bowl of your food processor for minimal mess factor. Talk about quick and easy, huh?
The great thing about making your own granola bars is you know exactly what’s in them. Even with all-natural prepackaged bars, the processing isn’t always allergy-safe. I used gluten-free certified rolled oats here, and as long as your nut butter and add-ins have no traces of wheat or dairy, these bars are completely safe for vegans and GF eaters alike!
Whether you have a special diet or just want to eat some trail mix in breakfast bar form, these granola bars are for you!
- 10 medjool dates, pitted
- ¾ cup rolled oats (gf certified!)
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tbsp cashew butter
- ¼ cup almonds
- ¼ cup pistachios
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- In a food processor, pulse dates until soft and dough-like
- Add the oats, coconut, and cashew butter and process until well combined and a soft dough has formed
- Add the nuts, chocolate, and raisins and pulse until everything is finely chopped and combined
- Press the mixture into a lined 4x6 pan and freeze for one hour or until solid.
- Remove from the freezer and slice into bars.
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I love how you turned trail mix into granola bars, Medha! This looks like the perfect, healthy treat!
Thanks so much, Gayle!
These look like the perfect breakfast and snack. I love this trail mix granola combo.
Thanks, Cindy 🙂
These trail mix granola bars sound perfect! I love trail mix with chocolate in it too, it’s the best part right? 😉
Exactly! 🙂
I really need to get my hands on some of that cashew butter, sounds amazing!!! And the rest of these bars: pistachios, almonds and chocolate…yes please!
You really do! Thanks 🙂
I’m going to have to go to Trader Joes and get some cashew butter. These granola bars look amazing!
Thanks!
I love trail mix, too! But, honestly, I usually eat around all the nuts and other things and just eat the chocolate, then eat the rest after all the chocolate’s gone. However, these look so chocolate-y and heavenly, I’m going to have to try them. Pinning!
Thanks so much!
I’ve been so starving at work in the afternoons lately and keep thinking that I need to make some granola bars to make to hold me over until dinner. These look amazing and I love all the ingredients you used! I need to make these soon 🙂
Thanks so much! Give them a try 🙂
oh my! I could eat the screen. I made chocolate candies last week with similar ingredients but didn’t think to add oats. These look delicious 🙂
Those sound amazing!
Trail mix is one of my all-time favorite snacks. I LOVE that these granola bars are no-bake and super-easy. — My kinda snack right there!
No bake is the bomb!
This granola looks amazing! Love the fact it’s GF and Vegan! Can’t wait to try the recipe out!
Thanks so much! I’m new to gf cooking!
This is all of my favourite trail mix fixings in a portable a bar! Nice one. I’m pretty sure nuts and chocolate were made for each other. This would be the perfect little pick me up in the afternoon 🙂
Thanks so much!
I too love trail mix! Awesome idea turning trail mix to granola bars… definitely a delicious idea perfect for a sweet snack. Thanks Medha for the recipe.
Thanks so much, Thalia 🙂
Oh Medha – these granola bars look brilliant! And soooo much healthier than storebought. I need to try them! 😉
They are! No weird preservatives 🙂
Your bars look so healthy, hearty and delicious! They’re the perfect snack!
Thanks so much! 🙂
Love this trail mix! They look fantastic and perfect for an on the go snack = the cashew butter sounds really good in here!
Thanks so much! I knew I needed to use the cashew butter in something special 🙂
I soooo need to make my own granola bars! Like you said, I love that you know exactly what’s in them! this is on my bucket list for this year! These are great!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Looks really yummy,
perfect snack to take with you
on the beach!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr
Great idea!
For some odd reason, our lunch period at school is at 10:30 in the morning, and by the time we get to seventh period, we are starving. This seems like the perfect snack to eat in the hallways! Thanks for the recipe!
Yeah lunch is weirdly early at my school too! I’m always bringing snacks to school 🙂
Cashew butter in a bar? Yes, please! That is my favorite butter of all, and to add chocolate, yum!
It’s soooo good 🙂
Did someone say cashew butter!!! I love that stuff. Nifty job on the trail mix too 🙂
Thanks 🙂