This healthy no bake muesli bars is nut-free and a quick and easy snack that’s perfect for lunchboxes or as an on-the-go treat. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, seeds, and coconut, it’s a great option when you want something nutritious that doesn’t require turning on the oven.
These fast treats came about one morning when I opened the freezer and alas, no lunch box fillers. No time to bake, what could I do but invent a nut-free, healthy no bake muesli bars? QUICKLY!
Health benefits
Well, the oats are a nourishing, high fibre, nerve supporting food. The seeds and coconut provide good fats, protein, and energy (of the slow release kind). The cinnamon further stabilises blood sugars. If you use brown rice syrup, they are also fructose friendly. These simple treats are full of nutrition and will sustain, satisfy and nourish your body – they are the perfect healthy snack. They are also great for kids with nut allergies.
Why these homemade granola bars are SO much better than any supermarket breakfast or muesli bar…
Here I go, getting on my high horse again. But the health claims on these bars just make me shudder. A warning would be more appropriate in many cases. Many commercial bars have almost as much sugar as a chocolate bar, alarming amounts of highly processed vegetable or seed oils (find out why you need to avoid these here) and ‘fruit’ that is more a product of chemistry than nature. These homemade muesli bars are whole and nourishing in ways that any supermarket or even health food brands could never be. For my detailed analysis of why there’s nothing good or healthy about processed muesli bars, click here.
These nut free granola bars are just too easy to make, so no excuses for processed bars anymore;)
Ingredients
You’ll need rolled oats, a variety of seeds (sesame, pumpkin, sunflower, and chia), desiccated coconut, ground cinnamon, butter, and your choice of sweetener—rice malt syrup or raw honey. For a bit of extra flavour or texture, add dried fruit (like sultanas or cranberries) or cacao nibs.
How to make these healthy no bake muesli bars
Start by combining the butter, sweetener, and cinnamon in a small pot over low heat until melted. You can either toast the oats, seeds, and coconut for a richer flavour or use them raw for a quicker option. Mix the dry ingredients with the melted butter mixture in a bowl and press it all firmly into a lined slice tin. Pop it into the freezer for 10 minutes to set, then slice into bars. We’ve also included a Thermomix method too!
Serving suggestions and how to store
These muesli bars are perfect for lunchboxes or a quick snack at home. Store them in the fridge or freezer to keep them firm. For lunchboxes, freeze the bars and pack them from frozen to keep them fresh until snack time. In warmers climates, pack against an ice brick to keep them well chilled.
Vary this healthy no bake muesli bars recipe
For a dairy-free version, use coconut oil or ghee. To make it gluten-free, swap the oats for quinoa flakes. If you’re avoiding fructose, use rice malt syrup instead of honey, and for a vegan option, use rice malt syrup and coconut oil. You can also adjust the seeds based on preference or leave out the ones your kids don’t like! Or add chocolate chips (or a chocolate drizzle) for a special treat.
For a crispy baked Choc Chip Muesli Bar click HERE.
Or browse our whole range of Muesli Bars HERE.
Or, for more delicious, healthy and easy to make wholefood treats, click HERE.
No bake, nut free muesli bar
Ingredients
- 100 g rolled oats (1 cup) see gluten-free below
- 60 g sesame seeds (½ cup)
- 60 g pumpkin seeds (½ cup)
- 60 g sunflower seeds (½ cup)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds ground is best, or flax seeds
- 60 g desiccated coconut (1 cup) or shredded
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 125 g butter
- 170 g rice malt syrup or honey (½ cup) you can play around with the amount of sweetener - as my families palate has become less sweet over time, I generally only add ¼ cup of RMS and even less if using honey these days
Optional
- 80 g dried fruit (½ cup) organic or additive-free preferably
- 30 g cacao nibs (¼ cup)
Instructions
- In a small pot, combine the butter, sweetener and cinnamon over a low heat, stirring until combined. If using a Thermomix, heat 2mins, temp 90, speed 3.
- You have a couple of options here. For a tastier slice, throw the oats, seeds, and coconut into a large pan and toast over a low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring often (the coconut will colour and the pepitas will start to pop).
OR
- Combine the dried ingredients raw.
- Add the dried mix to the butter / sweetener mix, (plus dried fruit or cacao nibs if using) and mix until combined. If using a Thermomix, blend 30sec, reverse, speed 3 (you may need to scrape the sides). See my lunch box tip below.
- Press into a small slice tin lined with baking paper (I use a wet stainless steel serving spoon). Put it in the freezer for 10 minutes or until set.
- Remove from the tin and cut into squares.
Store
- It is best to keep refrigerated or frozen.