Healthy No Bake Granola Bars with Seeds and Chocolate

These healthy no bake granola bars are packed with omega 3’s, fibre, natural sweetener and plant-based protein. Easily make them nut-free for a school-safe treat.

Why your family will love these granola bars

• They contain healthy fats and phytoestrogens (estrogen mimickers) from flax, oats, sesame seeds (tahini buttter), pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds which are helpful for hormone balance in postpartum, regular menstrual cycles, and mood balance
• They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup instead of refined sugar
• Rich in fibre from oats
• They can be made nut-free for those with allergies and intolerances, making them safe for school
• No need to bake these granola bars
• They are gluten free

Ingredients you will need

Rolled or quick oats provide the fibre and base for these granola bars

Nut and/or seed butters: I used a mix of almond and tahini (sesame seed butter). Others you can try are peanut butter, pumpkin seed butter, or sunflower seed butter for a completely nut-free option

Ground flax seeds: If they are not already ground, grind them up in a food processor. Your body won’t absorb them unless they are ground!

Maple Syrup for a touch of natural sweetness. An alternative is honey, or try a mix of both

Sea salt

Pure, dark chocolate chips will be your topping. You can choose dairy-free, or any other chocolate chip you prefer. They will be melted with a spoonful of nut or seed butter and poured over the base

A mix of seeds for your topping. I used a combination of pumpkin and sunflower seeds, which I ground up slightly in a food processor

How to make no-bake granola bars

In a mixing bowl, stir together the oats, ground flax, almond or pumpkin seed butter, tahini, maple syrup and sea salt. Transfer the mixture to an 8×8 baking dish. I always line mine with parchment first to save time on clean up and to make the granola bars come out more easily

Using the same bowl, set it atop of a small pot of boiling water. Add the chocolate chips and spoonful of almond or seed butter to the bowl and stir together as the chocolate chips melt

While the chocolate chips are melting, chop the nut/seed mixture by hand or use a food processor. You can leave them as chunky as you like. These will be going on top of the chocolate

Once the chocolate chips are melted, pour the mixture over the oat base in the baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to distribute it evenly

Sprinkle the chopped nuts and seeds over the chocolate while it is still liquified. Gently press them down with your fingers or a spatula to help set them into the chocolate

Freeze the granola bars for at least 2 hours before slicing. Keep them refrigerated until ready to eat, for up to 5-6 days, or freeze for up to 3 months