On-the-go snacks are an absolute must with toddlers since they are always hungry while you’re out and about. I’m constantly searching for healthy options to throw in the diaper bag whenever we leave the house. And while granola bars are the best grab-and-go snack, unfortunately they are often filled with a bunch of junk I don’t want my toddler eating. So these healthy no bake granola bars for toddlers are the answer!
They take about 10 minutes to make; they’re so ridiculously easy! My toddler helped me make them since there’s no heat required, it’s a super easy recipe for them to partake in.
Plus, you can get as creative as you want and include ingredients you and your toddler prefer! I used cashew butter, but peanut or almond work great too. As for mix-ins, oats are the base, but I also include Cheerios. Feel free to do only oats, or use rice puff cereal instead. Plus, you can include chopped nuts, or dried fruit inside them too if you want. The options are endless.
But no matter what you use, they are SO incredibly delicious, both you and your kiddo will devour them!
Ingredients Needed for No Bake Granola Bars
Nut Butter: Any kind of creamy nut butter works here, peanut, cashew or almond. I used cashew this time, but I like to rotate it to get the best nutrition possible for my kiddo!
Honey: Just a little for sweetness, and honestly you could use less or none! Another option is to use Pure Maple Syrup instead.
Pure Vanilla Extract: A little for yummy vanilla flavor.
Salt: Just a touch to enhance the other flavors in these no bake granola bars.
Cinnamon: I have been loving adding cinnamon in everything I make, especially when making things healthier, because it adds a bold flavor to help make up for the lack of sugar in things! I also especially love the combo with honey.
Oats: The bulk of these no bake granola bars comes from oats. I actually use half oats and half cereal, but you can absolutely use only oats or more oats!
Cheerios: Feel free to use any kind of Cheerios in this recipe. I have actually found that Target has a great organic version that’s a lot healthier, so that’s what I feed my toddler! You could also use rice puff cereal instead, or no cereal at all, and all oats if you wanted!
Chocolate Chips: These are optional, but my daughter and I are both chocolate lovers, so if I’m making something healthier I give her the treat of having chocolate in it to balance it out!
Baby-Led Weaning for No Bake Granola Bars
These no bake granola bars are crunchy and sticky and definitely something for babies over a year old. I would wait at least 12 months to start giving them something this crunchy. It also calls for honey, so if serving to babies in their first year, be sure to sub out for maple syrup (or ideally no sweetener at all!). As for common allergens, this no bake granola bars recipe includes gluten and nuts, either peanuts or tree nuts, depending on the butter used. Be sure to test these allergens first!
Storage for No Bake Granola Bars
Store these no bake granola bars in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I usually put half in the freezer and half in the fridge so that we have them to last a few weeks.
Tools Needed to make these No Bake Granola Bars
Healthy No Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup Nut Butter (Peanut, Cashew or Almond)
- ½ cup Honey
- 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- 2 cups Oats
- 2 cups Cheerios
- ½ cup Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the nut butter, honey, vanilla, salt and cinnamon until combined.
- Add in the oats, Cheerios and chocolate chips and stir well until completely combined.
- Press mixture down into a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Add a second sheet of parchment paper on top and press down with a measuring cup to flatten and compress the mixture into the pan.
- Chill for an hour or more in the fridge. Cut into bars and enjoy!
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