6 Mouthwatering Granola Bar Recipes

Originally posted on YOGANONYMOUS — January 21, 2016

Pretty much nothing beats a snack you can grab on the go.

We're all moving in high-speed: from the bed, to the shower, to the car (or train, or bike), to work, to yoga, to the gym. We're non-stop, and sometimes in all that commotion we forget to fuel up. So, let's take a moment to appreciate one of the finest foods for people on the move: the granola bar.

Because it is, after all, National Granola Bar Day. 

And it's time to celebrate.

So skip the pre-packaged granola bars with added preservatives and unnecessary sugar—roll-up your sleeves, and make your own. There's even a "ready in three minutes" option here, so no excuses! (Your body will thank you for it.)

Breakfast in a Bar: Blueberry Bliss

"But my mornings are too busy" you say? Well, lucky for you this no-bake option is easy to make ahead. It's also gluten free and vegan to boot. These “Blueberry Bliss Bars” from Inspired Edibles will help start your morning off right, and keep your belly happy and full. Don't like some of the ingredients listed? No worries, there are a ton of perfect substitutions listed to tweak this recipe for your tastebuds. 

For Those on a Tight Schedule: High Protein in Three Minutes

Chocolate Covered Katie knows what's up. Catering to those of us who don't have time to spend all day in the kitchen, she's whipped up a high-protein, low-maintenance, three-minute granola bar recipe. 

You'll need: rolled oats, salt, peanut butter (or your favorite nut or nut-free butter), honey or agave, protein powder (any flavor works!), and an optional (but always a good idea) handful of mini chocolate chips. Can't go wrong with a little chocolate.

Energy in a Bar: A Wanderlust Favorite

This recipe packs a punch, and is a great refueling option: high protein + high (healthy) fat = high energy levels. Coming from the Wanderlust Kitchen is the tropical energy bar with macadamia nuts—a delicious creation from chef Seamus Mullen. As he told Wanderlust: "This high-fat, high-protein energy bar is terrific. It's a great low-sugar snack or even a light breakfast. I'm a big fan of munching on these bars on my long bike rides." The dried pineapple and coconut flakes in this recipe give you a nice touch of tropical sweetness.

If It's Gotta Be Gluten Free: Chia, Quinoa, and Banana—Oh My!

From Ambitious Kitchen comes a delicious, protein and potassium-packed, gluten-free granola bar. Coming in at 200 calories per bar these can make for a quick, hearty mini-meal when you're on the go. Prep in 10 minutes and ready in 25, this is a quick mix that'll feed you for the week (it makes 10 bars). Share with friends and enjoy the compliments that come your way. Quinoa pumps up the protein in this flavorful recipe—each bar has six grams! So you'll be satisfied and fueled.

Superfoods, Super You: Superfood Super Snack

Nothing is better than snacking on superfoods for a midday pick me up. This recipe option from One Green Planet is (ready for this?) gluten free, dairy free, soy free, raw, vegan, and wheat free. And it's full of good-for-you “superfood” hemp seed. Don't be greedy with your granola—this recipe serves 16, so share your superfood super snack with your buds (just make sure they're not allergic to nuts first!).

If You're Feelin' a Little Nutty: Coconut Almond Bars

Sometimes ya feel like a nut, sometimes ya don't... For those moments when you do, try out this awesome nut-centric granola bar recipe. Oats are an incredibly common entity in a ton of granola bar recipes, but here's one recipe that doesn't call for them (we like to change it up!).

These coconut almond bars from Feasting At Home will have all my fellow coconut fanatics in a state of pure bliss. From crunch, to flavor, these bars are where it's at! The prep time is quick, but the cook time... Not so much. So, patience is key here, but it'll be worth the wait. For those who want to get a little creative, there are add-in suggestions for this recipe, too.

Well, now that I'm sufficiently hungry and inspired, I'm going to whip up a batch of granola bars...

Which recipe will you try—or, better yet, do you have a recipe to share? Let us know in the comments below. 

Photo by Wanderlust