Naturally sweet and chewy, these Coconut Granola Bars are a wholesome, gluten-free snack that’s perfect for busy days on the go.
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Homemade Granola Bars are Better Than Store-bought
Here’s the thing about granola bars from the grocery store— they are too hard! Can you imagine your body passing those through your gentle digestive system? Ouch!
Again, these are soft and filled with recognizable ingredients. You are going to love how easy they are to make. It all starts in a food processor.
The two key ingredients that make these granola bars soft are almond flour and applesauce. The almond flour acts as a natural fluffy filler, while the apple sauce adds moistness and additional sweetness.
What You’ll Love About Gluten-Free Granola Bars:
- Healthy Ingredients: The use of natural sweeteners and wholesome ingredients makes these granola bars more nutritious than anything you can buy in the stores. They are gluten-free and will, therefore, meet many dietary needs.
- Easy Recipe: These granola bars take only twenty minutes of active prep time to make.
- Flavor Combination: These granola bars have a hint of sweetness with a satisfying nutty flavor.
Chewy Coconut Granola Bars Ingredients and Estimated Costs:
- 3 cups rolled oats – $2.04
- ½ cup almond flour – $1.49
- ½ cup raw unsalted cashews – $0.41
- ½ cup diary-free chocolate chips – $0.99
- 1 teaspoon baking powder – $0.05
- 1 cup coconut chips – $0.98
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt – $0.01
- ⅔ cup pure maple syrup – $0.80
- ⅔ cup unsweetened apple sauce – $0.20
- ¼ cup coconut oil – $0.48
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – $0.68
NOTE:The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the prices for this recipe in May 2026.
How To Make Coconut Granola Bars:
- Prep the Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with coconut oil and line it with parchment paper.
- Pulse Dry Ingredients: Add the 3 cups of rolled oats, ½ cup of almond flour, ½ cup of cashews, ½ cup of chocolate chips, 1 cup of coconut chips, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon of kosher salt to a food processor. Pulse the machine until the ingredients are well combined, and the cashews are broken into smaller pieces. Set the bowl aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the ⅔ cup of pure maple syrup, ⅔ cup of unsweetened applesauce, ¼ cup of coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to a separate mixing bowl. Whisk the liquids until fully combined.
- Combine: Pour the dry mixture from the food processor into the wet ingredients. Fold everything together with a rubber spatula until fully coated.
- Press the Batter: Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press the batter down very firmly with your hands or the back of a measuring cup to create a flat surface.
- Bake: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the pan to cool completely before slicing the bake into individual bars.
Storage Tips:
Store: The granola bars will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 week.
Freeze: Wrap each bar in two layers of plastic wrap and then place in a freezer-safe container or zipper-top plastic bag. Freeze for 2 months.
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Chewy Coconut Granola Bars
Recipe Cost 13.97 Serving Cost 1.75
Recipe Cost $ 13.97 Serving Cost $ 1.75Ingredients
- 3 cup rolled oats gluten-free if necessary
- ½ cup almond flour
- ½ cup raw unsalted cashews
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate chips I used mini
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup coconut chips or shredded
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- ⅔ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅔ cup unsweetened apple sauce
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Into the food processor, add the rolled oats, almond flour, cashews, chocolate chips, baking powder, and salt. Pulse until all of the ingredients are mixed well, and the coconut and cashews pieces are smaller. Set aside.
- In a separate mixing bowl, add the pure maple syrup, apple sauce, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well-combined. Now we will add the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients.
- Add everything from the food processor in with the wet ingredients. Fold and mix until everything is fully coated.
- Transfer the granola to a greased 9 x 13 pan (I used coconut oil) lined with parchment paper and press with your hands or the back of a teacup until a flat surface is a result.
- Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes.
- Allow cooling completely before slicing them into desired shapes.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
Nutrition
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Chewy Cashew Granola Bars Recipe FAQs:
Are granola bars gluten-free?
Not all granola bars are gluten-free. While granola (a mixture of oats, nuts, seeds, and sweetener) may be naturally gluten-free, other ingredients or processing methods can introduce gluten into the final product.
However, this chewy granola bar recipe is gluten-free.
What is the binder in granola bars?
The secret to these granola bars is that there are no eggs or bananas to bind the bars together, as you typically see in other recipes. I use coconut, oats, and apple sauce as the binders to provide more wholesome ingredients in the granola bars.
Should you soak oats before making granola bars?
One of the best parts of this recipe is that you do not need to soak the oats before making the granola bars. They will get soft naturally after mixing them with the other ingredients.
How do I keep the bars from falling apart?
What makes these granola bars different is how they hold together, no eggs or bananas here. Instead, I rely on a blend of coconut, oats, and applesauce to bind everything, keeping the ingredient list simple and more intentional.
Can I make these without a food processor?
I highly recommend using a food processor to get the right texture for the granola bars.
Why are my bars too soft?
They may need a little longer in the oven, or more time to cool, to finish setting.
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