Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Chewy Granola Bars
This recipe is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Weekly, Hearth and Soul Hop, Pennywise Platter Thursday, and Sugar-Free Sundays.
Before going gluten free, we often enjoyed homemade granola bars on our camping weekends. The chewy goodness of oatmeal, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, crispy rice cereal, and chocolate chips (and sometimes raisins and/or nuts) was hard to beat. We always saved a few bars to savor on our ride home on Sundays. This recipe (of unknown origin) has remained in the archives with the hope that I could re-create it one day. I’m happy to say that day is now! And, my new granola bars are gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free; and, therefore, far healthier than the original, plus they taste even better, which I honestly didn’t think was possible. Enjoy!
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Chewy Granola Bars
(Click here for a printable version of this recipe.)
½ cup butter, softened (non-dairy or dairy)
¾ cup palm (or coconut) sugar
2 tbsp honey
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
¾ cup almond flour
¼ cup coconut flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup quinoa flakes (or gluten-free oats/oatmeal; see notes)
1 ¼ cups crisp rice cereal (effective November 2010, Erewhon crispy brown rice cereal is certified gluten free by GFCO; see listing here)
up to 1 cup chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts (I used ½ cup Enjoy Life mini-chocolate chips)
In a mixing bowl, cream butter and then mix in palm sugar. Add in honey, vanilla extract, and egg; mix well. Mixture will be thick and dense. I very slowly incorporated ingredients from this point on using my beloved wooden spoon.
Add in almond flour, coconut flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt; mix well.
Stir in quinoa flakes, slowly incorporating into mixture.
Mix in crisp rice cereal and remaining ingredients, slowing incorporating until mixed.
Spread ingredients in greased 8 x 8 baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes. Use toothpick to test for doneness. Set aside to cool well before cutting.
Shirley’s Notes: The mixture is very thick before baking, which produces a nice dense, chewy granola bar. Depending upon the amount of other ingredients I add (raisins, chocolate chips, nuts), I often mix in more quinoa flakes (or oatmeal) if the mixture will take it. I want to be able to still stir the mixture and spread the mixture in the pan, so I am careful not to add too much. I never make these granola bars without chocolate chips. Chocolate chips really complement the flavors well and the softened chips help bind the ingredients, too. Just about any gluten-free flour mix, even gluten-free all-purpose flour, can be used in this recipe in place of the almond flour and coconut flour. A less denser flour like gluten-free all-purpose flour will not be as nutritious, of course. However, it will allow you to add more quinoa flakes, etc. to the recipe.
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Comments
88 Responses to “Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Chewy Granola Bars”
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Oh yum. I really shouldn’t come visit when I am hungry.
Hey Alta–I think we all feel that way, but I rarely look at blogs when I’m full.
Thanks!
Shirley
Hi! I came over from Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.
What a great idea! I love that you added rice cereal and quinoa flakes. Almond flour and coconut flour work so well together.
I’m bookmarking this one. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lisa–Welcome to gfe!
Thanks re: my granola bars. They are a great mix of chewy, crunchy, and more. 
So glad you came over from Amy’s great weekly roundup. I was impressed by your homemade Pop Tarts!
Shirley
OH these look heavenly Shirley! I love making bars, almost as much as cookies
Thanks, Alisa! I like my thick chewy bars, too.
Shirley
those look incredible! I wish you lived closer…I’d be tempted to steal one off your table.
Haha, Cheryl! If I lived closer, I’d gladly give you one.
Thanks!
Shirley
Those look really good. I need to remember to purchase cereal the next time I’m at the health food store. I’m glad to hear the Erewhon is now certified.
I’m not a fan of quinoa flakes so I think I would go for the oats. These look like a great breakfast or snack and since hubby is trying gluten free (for the past week) I need plenty of options around.
Hi Linda–Thanks! I was so happy when I learned about Erewhon so I could make these granola bars again and tweak a few things.
I actually prefer oats to quinoa flakes for taste, but I’ve been out of oats for a while. Will eventually order some. 
They do make a great breakfast and snack. I used them as both today. Good luck to your hubby! That would be wonderful to have a 100% gf house. Hope he’ll see some great health results, too.
Shirley
Shirley, these look awesome!! I will be trying these for sure. I might make a batch of these before the weekend to leave with the boys (and steal a few for my plane ride myself)! Love this recipe!!
Umm…and I have never seen such a brief post from you before!
Kim–Thanks! After I read your comment, I thought hey, I’ll do that, too, and then Mr. GFE came home and started snacking. There are a few left, but unlikely there’ll be enough for me to take as snack food.
LOL on the brief post … proof that miracles can happen!
Soon … xoxo,
Shirley
Delicious Shirley! I want to go on a camping trip with you!
Hey Iris–Thanks!
You’re welcome to go camping with us ANY time. If you ever make it back to the east coast and want to head about an hour and a half southwest of D.C., we can just meet at our mountain property. 
Shirley
I’d love to try these, but I can’t have almonds. Any suggestions for a sub for the almond flour?
Thanks!
Hi Mary–You might not have read the notes, but really just about any flour can be used. You could use one cup of gf all-purpose flour instead of the almond and coconut flours if you like. It’s all about individual needs and personal tastes. Before I went gf, I made these granola bars with regular all-purpose flour and we loved them. Let us know what you try and how it works out!
Shirley
What a great idea Shirley! I’m always on the lookout for snacks when we travel, and these would be wonderful. It’s not easy to find a nutritious, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free snack for your purse!
Tina.
Hi Tina–Thanks! Yep, with just a slight tweak, this recipe also meets the nut-free requirement. You’re right about how hard it is to find those types of snacks. I’m not usually much into buying snack food anyway just because of the offerings (gf or not), so I do like making treats such as these and taking them with me.
Shirley
Yum! These look and sound fantastic. I think I’m going to play with them (mainly that darn egg) and see what I come up with. I love a granola bar and haven’t had one in a while. Plus, yours are super high in protein and I love that! I agree with Kim, such a short post
PS I think we can do two blogs – we could make it work (in reference to my comment on your last post)!
Thanks, Maggie! I really don’t think egg substitution is going to be an issue for this recipe, but please let us know how it works out.
Ahhh, that”s it … I was practicing my short posts, so I can better manage my blog in order to handle our joint effort coming up.
We better talk about this if you are serious!
xo,
Shirley
WAW, Shirley!! Your chewy granola bars rock!! They really do! I must make them tomorrow because I have friends coming over!
MMMMM,…lovely bars,…really lovely food!
Hi Sophie–
I think they’re pretty special, too—thank you! I hope you and your friends enjoy them. Everyone should have homemade granola bars in their lives. 
xo,
Shirley
I’m a total fan of making my own granola bars and we’re on the same page with making them for camping trips! Or, any kind of trip for that matter. And aren’t we lucky to have quinoa flakes! I love them for making things like this. You’re right, this version of yours is probably better than the pre-no-gluten version. There’s a blessing in all of this! Better food, more inspiring choices, more creative fun in the kitchen. I’m saving this recipe of yours as it’s right up my alley (or hiking trail). =)
Oh, Melissa, I know you are on board with making wonderful healthy treats like these for your backpacking/hiking adventures. You are the backpacking queen, and I remember your backcountry power bars. Anyone who goes out and hikes the Colorado Trail would have to be up on the best nutrition for the road. I think quinoa flakes are perfect for bars like these. Healthiness in a flake
… love them! I sooo agree about the blessing in this journey of ours (not a Colorado Trail journey, but that other journey LOL). I enjoy that journey every day because of this kind of blessing. 
xoxo,
Shirley
I think I’m going to have to make some to have as a snack during my breaks at work!
Hey Debi–I think you would enjoy them and be surprised how long they keep you fueled for retail madness.
Shirley
I can just imagine. I think they might be good for our road trip to the Expo, too!
Hey Debi–
Yes, these granola bars are great for a road trip and that would be fun for you to show up at the Expo and give me your review! 
Shirley
I hope we get to “sample” these : ) He he!
Lexie–Sadly, a girl can only fit so much into one backpack (traveling light) … if I have to choose shoes or granola bars, I hate to tell you, but I’m choosing the former.
xoxo,
Shirley
Hi Shirley! I’m book marking these so I can make them later.
Hi Annette–It’s always great to see you!
Hope you get to them soon … I think you’ll enjoy them. 
Shirley
Thanks for posting this recipe, Shirley. They look delicious! I’m thinking about making a batch for my girls (and me too!) today.
Hi Megan–Welcome to gfe! It’s nice to “meet” you.
I must make it over to your blog, Maid in AK, pronto as I saw all the breads you’ve been making of late. So glad Linda shared all those with us! Hope you and your girls enjoy these!
Shirley
Thanks, Shirley! Nice to “meet” you too! These are superb – two thumbs up from Kylie girl (my 5 yr old!).
Megan–Thanks so much for sharing that great review! Tell Kylie thanks.
Did you make it exactly like my recipe or did you make any substitutions? Just asking because so many folks are asking about substitutions on Facebook.
Shirley
Sorry, Shirley – I just saw your note, otherwise I would have responded sooner!
Yes, I did make a few substitutions. I used 1/4 c coconut oil and 1/4 cup palm shortening for the butter. Then only 1/2 cup of the almond meal. I added 2 TBSP teff flour and 2 TBSP flax meal to make up for the other 1/4 cup of almond flour.
Hope that helps!
Hi again, Megan!–No worries on not responding sooner, but I’m so happy that you shared your version with folks.
This info will give them other options, which can be quite helpful depending upon any additional food intolerances and/or what ingredients they might have on hand. Love that!
Thanks again.
Shirley
These sound and look perfect! I have slacked off of my granola making lately…I need to get back on it again since it really is such a great snack.
Hey Sarena–Granola is the best. I love it in bar form … it just seems more manageable.
But my oatmeal raisin cookie granola is good, too. 
Thanks!
Shirley
Hi…new to your blog and just loved it…. and this bar looks so tempting
Hi Priyanka–Welcome to gfe!
Thanks for the sweet compliments, too. Will check out your blog, Priyanka Cooking, as soon as I’m back home from travel.
Shirley
Oooh, look good!
Hi InTolerant–Thanks! Yep … very tasty.
Shirley
Hey Shirley! First thing tonight…crack some pecans for these granola bars! I think that I will try about 1/2 cup of coconut instead of the cereal flakes, what do you think? I will let you know how they turn out. Thanks for another great recipe. YOU’RE THE BEST!!
Kay
Hi Kay–Sorry I couldn’t reply earlier (I’m on travel) and answer your question, but thanks so much for your email sharing your success with your adaptation of these bars! Hope you’ll reply to this comment and tell everyone what you changed and how you thought they turned out.
Hugs,
Shirley
1 cup Bob’s Red Mill GF baking flour (instead of the almond flour & coconut flour)
Kay
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut (instead of quinoa flakes)
1 1/4 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal (crushed)
1 cup pecans (broken into pieces)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (next time, I’ll use more choc. chips!)
I followed your recipe except for the above substitutions and these bars were …OH, HECK, I’M RUNNING OUT OF SUPERLATIVES!!! LISTEN PEOPLE-JUST MAKE THEM….THEY ARE SO VERY GOOD!
Shirley, thanks again for such a great recipe.
Kay–You’re the very best! Thanks for sharing your version … I’m sure it will help many.
So glad you loved them, dear!!!
Shirley
Oh and I forgot, instead of the palm or coconut sugar, I used 1/2 cup of brown sugar!!
Looks delicious! If only it didn’t require eggs or almond flour. My son is allergic to it all!
Holly–It looks like you’re new to gfe–welcome!
If you read the notes, you’ll see that any flour can be used. And, as I was discussing on Facebook with some folks, I really think egg replacement should work just fine. Let us know if you make them egg-free and with another flour.
Nice to be introduced to another blog … I’ll be checking out your Tropic of Mom site.
Shirley
Hi Shirley;
I just saw your post on facebook that you made these chewy granola bars…yum! These look fabulous and certainly more healthy than the ones I made. I’ve never used the crispy rice you mention, hmmm, I’ll have to give it a try. Yum! Nice pics too!
Hey Mary–Saw you had some Chewy Granola Bars, too! (On travel so didn’t get time to look and comment, but will!) Anyway, how funny … great minds.
The crispy rice cereal really works well in this recipe. Let me know what you think if you try it!
Thanks for all the sweet words, dear. Hugs,
Shirley
Oh Shirley, these look AMAZING!!!!! As soon as we get cleared for chocolate, I’m gonna make an egg-free version of these bad boys, I think Luke will faint over these, LOL!
Can’t wait to see you tonight!!
xoxo,
Heidi
Heidi–Thanks, my dear!!
I bet these would be lovely without chocolate, too. Maybe carob? or some other flavoring added in a small quantity? maple syrup? Anyway, if you still have to wait, I’m sure these will be worth it and terrific however you make them. 
Happy to make Luke a happy boy!
It as so so so wonderful to see you! xoxo,
Shirley
I love this kind of bar–so easy to take along and as a snack! And of course anything with almonds and coconut can’t be bad.
I’ve been moving more to baking bars than cakes and/or even cookies, as they are so much quicker!
Hi Ricki–Yes, bars can be packed with lots of goodness, are great snack food, and can be made quickly.
I’ve been thinking of you and sending all good thoughts your way!
Hugs,
Shirley
Yum, these sound awesome. Now that we have an almond and oat allergy, I will sub. cashew flour and the quinoa flakes. My little guy will be so thrilled.
Hi Jeanette–Welcome to gfe!
Thanks so much. Sounds like you have a great adaptation plan. If you do get to make these, I’d love to hear what your little guy thought. 
Off to check out your blog, Jeanette’s Healthy Living!
Shirley
These look really good! I love how they are more of a bar than granola held together by honey.
Hey Christine!–Thanks! These truly are more bar than granola like you said. They provide dense chewiness with lots of goodness, but not that hardness that granola sometimes offers.
Shirley
I love your recipes, each one I’ve made has turned out so well. So, I nominated you for a blog award – Versatile Blogger Award!
http://asgoodasgluten.blogspot.com/2011/03/versatile-blogger-award.html
Hi Lauren–Oh my goodness, a wonderfully sweet comment and a blog award—thank you so much!
Off to check it all out!
Shirley
Oh wow they look good! I’m feeling hungry just from reading the recipe lol! Thanks for sharing it
I’m also taking part in the Hearth & Soul hop and that’s how I found your blog.
Hi Aurelia–Welcome to gfe! It’s so nice to meet you and discover your blog, Modern Woman, and your gluten-free, egg-free chocolate orange mousse. It could easily be made dairy free, too.
The Hearth & Soul hop is a lot of fun. I’ve missed out on it for a while, so it was nice to join in again this week!
I think you’d enjoy these granola bars and thanks for the kind words on them. I hope to see you here again.
Shirley
OK, this is seriously one of the best GF recipes I have ever tried… so simple and can really be adapted easily. I have made 3 batches for my family since you posted it. The first time I made it exactly as the recipe said. The second and third times I substituted coconut oil for the butter to make it a little healthier and the last batch I added shredded coconut to. MY
FAMILY LOVES THESE! Thanks for posting!
Hi Stephanie–It’s great to see you again! And you are seriously good for my ego—thank you!
I love all your changes. Yes, it’s a very adapatable recipe. In fact, I think the possibilities are endless. So happy that you and your family are enjoying this recipe so much!
Hugs,
Shirley
I love the kind of snack that can be packed with all sorts of nutritious ingredients. These look very tasty and healthy. Creating an old recipe to be gluten free is such a joy too.
Hey Melanie–I pretty much reinvented my old recipe. Other than the fact that both recipes are granola bars, the main commonalities between the old and the new are crispy rice cereal, an egg, and chocolate chips. I just kind of went with what seemed right and I’m so pleased with the results.
Like you said, it’s fun to add back in a favorite treat of old. 
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Shirley
I wasn’t a granola fan until a few years ago and have never made my own….with that said…you make them look awesome!!
Thanks for sharing at the hearth and soul hop last week.
Shirley I made these tonight! They’re in the oven right now so I’ll report back when we test them! I used coconut oil and a chia egg. I also used puffed quinoa since I didn’t have puffed rice. And gf oats. I put dates in them because I have yet to find an unsweetened chocolate chip that we can all agree on! xo
Maggie–You know I’m going to be on pins and needles until I hear back from you! I like your adaptation a lot, so I really hope it worked.
Fingers crossed and not breathing here in the U.S. …
Shirley
Yay! They worked and they were delicious. Here are the changes I made so they worked for our allergies:
used coconut oil instead of butter, used only 1/2 cup of coconut sugar instead of 3/4 cup, 1 tbsp ground chia mixed with 1/4 cup of water for the egg, puffed quinoa because that’s what we had in, and dates because I LOVE them! Such a great recipe Shirley. Thanks so much. We all loved them. They were gone in a day. Whoops.
Hi Maggie–I really appreciate you taking the time to add the specifics on how you made your version, and that you loved them, too!
I know many have other food issues and will be anxious to try these bars your way–especially with that “gone in one day” recommendation! 
xo,
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
My kids love them for snacks paired with a piece of fruit. Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for posting. I hope you don’t mind, but I post it on my blog as well as shared it with my friends on FB.
I just wanted to let you know that my family LOVES LOVES LOVES these bars! I cannot tell you how many hundreds of times I have made these for my husband and four kids. I started making several dry ingredient bags of these up because we go through the so quickly.
Kelly
Hey Kelly–Thanks so much for the fabulous feedback! It really starts my day out on the right note for sure!
Great idea on having bags of the “mix” ready to go. 
I also greatly appreciate that you shared your photos and linked back to me in your post, but didn’t share the recipe on your blog since it’s copyrighted. I just LOVE that you are spreading the word on this recipe all over, but linking back to gfe!
Have a great weekend, Kelly! Mr. GFE loves these bars, too, so I guess it’s time to make some more when we get home from vacation.
xo,
Shirley
AMAZING!! I made these today and the kids loved them. Yay! Thank you for this recipe! It will be nice to have “granola” bars back into the mix of snacks ready for a quick grab. Time to go make a bigger batch & wrap them up!!!
Hi Bernadette–Welcome to gfe!
I’m so, so glad that you and your family had such a great experience with these granola bars; they’re one of my faves. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment—enjoy!
Shirley
Shirley!!! Now that I finally have a minute to sing praises about these bars, I will!
Not only do they taste out of this world delicious, after looking at the ingredients in detail, I see that they are very nutritious, good for you, and can be eaten by diabetics as well.
But for me, they are a life saver on airplane trips especially to countries where gluten free isn’t widely known and/or accepted and where I don’t know the language.
They are also SO EASY AND FAST to make and I have just whipped up a double batch at 4:30 am to give to friends going on a trip!
Thanks for this winning recipe!
Hi Angela!–You are the gfe reader who *wins* for making the most recipes and for coming back and sharing your review, and sharing it so generously, I might add! Thank you so much, dear! I so appreciate the feedback and I’m so grateful that these granola bars really worked for your for your trip. What a dear you are to make some for other friends heading out, too!
Hugs,
Shirley