These delicious chewy homemade chocolate granola bars are great for breakfast or as a healthy snack. The recipe is vegan (dairy-free), gluten-free, refined sugar-free, oil-free, and can be made nut-free!
It’s #veganuary and many people are looking into healthy eating. I love sharing guilt-free recipes that are not only vegan and gluten-free but also as healthy as possible, yet very delicious. I hope you will give these soft and chewy granola breakfast bars a try.
Healthy Ingredients
The recipe contains only wholesome plant-based ingredients. Ripe bananas, oats, dates, and raisins are the main ingredients. Even the chocolate layer is made with whole-food ingredients (no refined sweetener, no chocolate chips, butter or oil).
You will find all the ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
How To Make Chocolate Granola Bars?
The recipe is pretty simple. I love using my food processor which makes everything a breeze. Below you can see 8 process shots for easy visual instructions.
PHOTO 1: Process all the ingredients for the granola layer in a food processor. I am using THIS food processor for many years.
PHOTO 2: In the second photo, you can see how the granola mixture will look like.
PHOTO 3: Line a pan with parchment paper and press the dough into the pan. Use your hands or a jar to compress the granola layer.
PHOTO 4: For the chocolate layer, simply process all ingredients in your food processor until the mixture is creamy. Depending on your food processor it might take a couple of minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times.
PHOTO 5: The chocolate cream should be smooth as seen in photo no. 5.
PHOTO 6: Spoon the chocolate layer onto the granola layer. Check picture no. 6.
PHOTO 7: Smooth it evenly with a spatula.
PHOTO 8: Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with more granola, then let cool completely.
Finally, cut into bars. You can also drizzle your favorite nut butter on top if you like.
Which Granola Should I Use?
You can use store-bought granola or try out my Homemade Granola Recipe which is nut-free, vegan, and gluten-free. If you use store-bought granola, make sure that it’s dairy-free and certified gluten-free (if you are a celiac).
I sometimes get asked if it’s possible to use oats instead of granola. That is possible but the bars would turn out a little drier, less sweet, and less flavorful. If you want to make these bars without granola, I would, therefore, recommend making my Oat Breakfast Bars instead. The recipe is quite similar but doesn’t contain granola.
Notes About This Recipe
- You could use applesauce instead of banana, however, I had the best result with banana.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can also freeze the chocolate granola bars for up to 2 months. Let them thaw completely before serving.
- Use your favorite nut butter (for example peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.) or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
These Granola Bars Are:
- Vegan (dairy-free)
- Gluten-free
- Refined sugar-free
- Oil-Free
- Can be made nut-free
- Easy to make
- Great for breakfast, dessert or as a snack
- Soft
- Chewy
Should you give these chocolate granola bars try, please leave a comment and rating below and don’t forget to tag me in your Instagram or Facebook post with @elavegan and #elavegan because I would love to see your remakes! 🙂
If you are interested in more breakfast recipes, you should also check out the following gluten-free & vegan desserts:
- Breakfast Granola Cups
- Banana Oat Pancakes
- Apple Crumble Muffins
- Plum And Apple Crumble
- Chocolate Crepes With Banana
- Apple Cinnamon Crepes
Chocolate Granola Bars
Ingredients
Granola Layer
- 2 small (130 g) ripe bananas (see notes)
- 2 cups (200 g) granola homemade or store-bought
- 1 1/2 cup (150 g) oats gluten-free if needed
- 1/4 cup (60 g) sunflower seed butter or nut-butter (see notes)
- 1/2 heaped cup (80 g) raisins
- 1/2 cup (40 g) shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 tbsp (22 g) chia seeds
Chocolate Layer:
- 2 medium (190 g) ripe bananas
- 1 1/3 cup (200 g) dates soft (see notes)
- 1/4 cup (60 g) sunflower seed butter or nut-butter (see notes)
- 1/2 cup (45 g) cocoa powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.I recommend measuring the ingredients in grams on a kitchen scale.
- Process all the ingredients for the granola layer in a food processor.
- Line a 6x9 inch or 7x7 inch pan with parchment paper and press the dough into the pan. Use your hands or a jar to compress the granola layer. Set aside and preheat oven to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 180 °C).
- For the chocolate layer, simply process all ingredients in your food processor until the mixture is creamy. Depending on your food processor it might take a couple of minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times.
- Taste it! If you want it sweeter, feel free to add your favorite sweetener. Spoon the chocolate cream onto the granola layer and smooth it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes (25 minutes if you use a larger pan and 30 minutes for a smaller pan). Decorate with more granola, then let cool completely.
- Finally, cut into bars. You can also drizzle your favorite nut butter on top if you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use your favorite nut butter (for example peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, etc.).
- You could use applesauce instead of banana, however, I had the best result with banana.
- The dates should be soft and juicy. If they are rather dry, soak in hot water until softened. Then discard the water.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- You can also freeze the bars for up to 2 months. Let them thaw completely before serving.
- Recipe serves 12. Nutrition facts are for one serving.
Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically
Equipment
Simple and Delicious Vegan Cookbook by ElaVeganCLICK HERE to order!If you are using Pinterest, feel free to pin the following photo:
I really enjoyed the recipe, especially the chocolate layer! But the bottom layer came out a little too crumbly for me. I baked it in a 9×9 pan for 20minutes. Any suggestions on how to get a firmer granola layer?
Hi Jess, thanks for your feedback! The bars are supposed to be rather soft, not too firm, so I am not sure what to suggest. Maybe adding a little coconut oil and baking for a bit longer would help. 🙂
I have changed the recipe a bit .. 100gr of oat and 50 grams of oat flour and was not crumble at all.. also, instead of raisins I have used blueberries and cranberries. regarding the layer I have changed seed butter with peanut butter and was really tasty
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your feedback, Haris! I am glad the bars turned out delicious. 🙂
These are really good! I used an 8×8 pan, but the top came out kind of cake like. Sprinkling granola wasn’t an option since it wouldn’t have stuck. Still tasted great, and everyone I shared them with really liked them. I will use these when I need a sweet treat or so.e quick energy.
Hi Jenni! I am glad you liked the bars. You could try reducing the baking time next time (e.g. 5 minutes less). 🙂
These bars look so yummy! I really love recipes like this!????
So glad you like them, Bianca! 🙂
Hi! I would like to make this right now and I have everything except the chia seeds ???? are they essential for the bars texture or just nutrients?
Not essential! They add a nice crunch, however, you can use sesame seeds instead or flax seeds. 🙂
these look absolutely amazing and the recipe sounds delicious. I’ve bookmarked this and I’m excited to try!
Awesome! I hope you will like it, Mary. 🙂
Hi ela
Could I use a buckwheat granola I make myself for the granola part of this recipe (it’s made from groats not flakes with seeds and nuts etc in ).
Thank you
Yes, that should be fine, Josie! 🙂
Would it be a problem for the end result if I omitted the coconut? Also, when you list oats, you mean the Old Fashioned, correct?
If you don’t want to use the shredded unsweetened coconut, you should use ground nuts or seeds instead. Yes, Old Fashioned (rolled) oats. 🙂
Thank you!!
I am making these right now and it was so easy! Thank you for such delicious vegan recipes! I’m a new vegan and I’m so glad to have found your site!
You are very welcome, Cathy! I am so glad you loved these bars. 🙂
This was so good!! The perfect snack for long-distance running and/or ski! I used half bananas and half apple sauce and added a little bit of maple syrup because my bananas weren’t as ripe as I would’ve liked.
I will definitely make these again
Such a great idea! Sounds very delicious, and I am glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for your great feedback! 🙂
What temp do we bake the bars at?
It’s actually mentioned in the instructions! “360 degrees Fahrenheit (ca. 180 °C).”
Hello! I tried this and it tastes amazing! One thing I wanted to ask is it came out in a bread like form for me. Any advice to create more of a firmness as an actual bar?
Hi Brittany, I am glad you loved the taste! 🙂 I think if you use a larger pan, they will turn out thinner and won’t be as soft. You could also add some nuts in addition. 🙂