This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BioNeutra. The opinions and text are all mine.
Chewy, crunchy, and packed with chocolate flavor, these paleo, no-bake grain free granola bars are going to become your favorite with the first bite! They’re loaded with healthy fats from coconut and nuts and have a lightly sweetened, rich dark chocolate flavor. Kid approved, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, grain free and addicting!
I can’t hide it – I’m pretty hooked on grain free granola bars of all kinds right now. Ever since making my originals, I can’t go a day without a crunchy, chewy, sweet little bite!
I feel like the possibilities are endless when you’re making them at home – add some of this and that (and by this and that I’m referring to chocolate, and chocolate) and BOOM! You have a perfect sweet (but not too sweet) snack to get you through those rough, perhaps hangry, points in the day.
Honestly, the mixture looks so good, I’m not sure how they even make it to the freezer to become granola bars 🙂
Anyway, I wanted to go for a really deep dark chocolate grain-free granola bar here, with both raw cacao added to the mix AND mini chocolate chips to mix in at the end. Double chocolate has never failed me – and therefore I’ll trust it until the end…or until the day it somehow doesn’t work out.
No worries, because today is not that day – these double chocolate grain free granola bars have been my go-to snack for the past week, and they’re still going strong! That is, because I’ve hidden them from the rest of my family, of course.
Aside from the double chocolate, I did something else new to me with these bars – I used VitaFiber™ IMO syrup to sweeten them!
VitaFiber™ IMO is a natural, plant-based prebiotic fiber sweetener that adds just the right touch of sweetness to food, beverages, and baked (or no-bake!) goods.
There are no chemical overtones or bitter aftertaste here – just a clean, simple, naturally sweet flavor that I personally loved the first time I tried it.
VitaFiber™ IMO blends in seamlessly into foods, beverages, and recipes for a sweet finish. It’s great in protein bars, smoothies, tea or coffee, cooking and baking. I found that it worked perfectly for these granola bars both as a sweetener, and as a binder to create that deliciously chewy texture we all crave!
The ingredients speak for themselves – the IMO is sourced from tapioca starch (which I love and use all the time!) plus water. The flavor is very mildly sweet, which is perfect for Paleo baking when you want to minimize added sugar.
You can find out more information about VitaFiber IMO, including where to purchase, by visiting their website here. You can also purchase directly from Amazon as well (prime shipping anyone?).
The bars themselves are incredibly easy to make – which is one reason I just can’t seem to stop making new ones!
You will need a food processor to pulse the nuts, to get that perfect crunch, and breaking them down so they bind together nicely.
Once you have everything mixed up, you’ll need to press the mixture down (very firmly) into a square baking pan lined with parchment paper.
The parchment is essential so that the bars don’t stick, and makes removing them after setting a total breeze.
You’ll need to set these in the freezer for at least an hour before cutting them to ensure they’re good to go, and avoid a crumbly mess when you try to cut them!
No worries if you do get a few crumbles though – you can easily stick them back together and re-set them.
Once they’re totally set, I recommend storing them in the refrigerator for the best texture. The freezer is fine too, although they’ll need to thaw a bit since they’ll become very firm when frozen.
I hope you’re ready for an incredibly tasty go-to snack! I’m especially excited or you to try these since they’re my new favorite! Let’s get our aprons out (because chocolate!) and no-bake!
Grain-Free Double Chocolate Granola Bars {Paleo, Vegan}
Double Chocolate Grain Free Granola Bars {Paleo, Vegan}
Chewy, crunchy, and packed with chocolate flavor, these paleo, no-bake grain free granola bars are going to become your favorite with the first bite! They're loaded with healthy fats from coconut and nuts and have a lightly sweetened, rich dark chocolate flavor. Kid approved, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, grain free and addicting!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pecan halves or walnuts
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1-2 scoops collagen protein or plant based protein powder - optional
- 1/4 cup organic coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/3 cup smooth almond butter
- 1/3 cup + 2 Tbsp VitaFiber™ IMO syrup (can sub with 1/4-1/3 cup pure maple syrup if preferred
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips dairy free/soy free
- Extra melted chocolate for drizzling optional
Instructions
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Place the nuts in a food processor and pulse several times to "chop" them into a crumbly texture - a few larger pieces are a good thing - don't overmix!
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Transfer the nuts to a large mixing bowl and stir in coconut flakes, salt, and protein powder or collagen, if using.
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Place melted coconut oil in a small sauce pan and whisk in the almond butter, cacao powder and VitaFiber IMO Syrup. Set heat to low and whisk while everything melts together. Once mixture is smooth and well combined, remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
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Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir to fully combine - I used a silicone spatula for this step. Thoroughly mix to make sure all the dry mixture is coated. Once coated, gently stir in the chocolate chips.
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Line an 8 x 8" or 9 x 9" square pan with parchment paper along the bottom and sides, with extra up the sides for easy removal. Transfer mixture in and press down, using your hands, or another piece of parchment paper to get it packed tightly into the pan.
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Cover the top with parchment or plastic wrap, then set in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm, or longer if you have time.
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Remove pan from freezer and grab two ends of the parchment paper to remove the bars, set on a cutting board.
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Using a long very sharp knife, cut into 20 bars. You can wrap them in parchment individually storing in the fridge (for up to two weeks) or freezer for longer.
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Bars will start to melt around room temp due to the coconut oil, so they'll need to be kept chilled to stay firm. Enjoy!
Shop Products and Ingredients:
Want More No-Bake Goodies? Try One of These!
Cherry Berry Grain Free Granola Bars {No Sugar Added}
Chocolate Chip Raisin Grain Free Granola Bars
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites with Protein
Chocolate Coconut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Apple Cinnamon No-Bake Cookies
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Paleo Running Momma!
How can this be paleo with syrup in it? And vanilla extract (which contains alcohol)
Pure or organic vanilla extract is considered okay in paleo baking as is syrup derived from natural ingredients (in this case, tapioca) or pure maple syrup, honey. That doesn’t mean it’s for everyone though, just as an option.
These looks like no-bake cookies…but love how they are healthier!!! Anything chocolate, especially no-bake, is always a win in my book 🙂
Yes!!
The nutrition link isn’t clickable!
I’ll try to fix the nutrition 🙂
great recipe, can you post the nutrition facts? Thanks
Very difficult to navigate your instagram due to adds. Never again
I love homemade granola bars! These look and sounds so delicious!
Used maple syrup and no collagen/protein and they tasted great–thanks for the recipe!
Thank you for posting this recipe. I loved it! I’ve just made them again for the 2nd time. 🙂
That’s awesome, so happy you’re enjoying them!
I make these ALL the time so that I always have some on hand. I love them! I give some to my daughter-in-law who has taken them to work and given them to co-workers who also rave about them. They’re addictive and I eat too many!
Can you share the Nutrition information? I cannot get the link to work at all. Thanks! These are amazing!
When would you recommend drizzling the melted chocolate on – before or after freezing?
Just made these and put them in the freezer. Can’t wait to taste them. Just finished eating your cinnamon apple granola bars. My husband really liked those. I might have to hide these.
This stuff is absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try all the other flavors you’ve posted!
Where’s macros? 🙁
I just made it, four colors said it was really delicious!