These Chocolate Almond Granola Bars are the perfect snack when you’re craving something sweet. They’re chewy, crunchy and best of all, healthy!
These bars tick off all the right boxes. Made with wholesome ingredients that are not only good for you but also taste heavenly good. And best of all, they are coated in dark chocolate. Oh yeah!
If you’re like me and have a sweet tooth from time to time, I have a few more super easy homemade chocolatey treats. Like these 2-ingredient almond cookies, and 2-ingredient chocolate spread. They’re also great for the holidays (wink wink).
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rolled Oats – good old-fashioned rolled oats are the base for these unique chocolate almond granola bars. I use a food processor for the prep work but if you don’t have one and mix by hand I recommend using quick oats instead of rolled oats.
- Almond Flour – I love using almond flour in my homemade snacks because it’s not only a good source of healthy fats, but it also tastes sooo good. A good replacement if you need to use a different flour, is hazelnut flour. It tastes great, and you can make it at home with roasted hazelnuts and a blender or food processor.
- Raw Cacao Powder – a superfood on its own, raw cacao powder is packed with antioxidants and minerals. I’m a big fan of raw cacao powder, but if you don’t have it, you can use cocoa powder instead.
- Maple Syrup – one of my favorite natural sweeteners! I live in Canada and I can find real maple syrup at any grocery store. But if you need to replace it, natural honey works perfectly well too.
- Almond Butter – these almond granola bars are not complete without almond butter. It helps to keep you satisfied for a long time and provides you with energy. Another great alternative is peanut butter. (This 5-ingredient peanut butter granola is also to die for!). Make sure it’s super drippy. If yours is already a bit dry add a little flavorless oil to make it drippy.
- Coconut Oil – a little oil combined with melted chocolate helps to give it a nice texture for coating. My favorite is coconut oil, but you can also use extra-virgin olive oil or sunflower oil.
- Dark Chocolate – high-quality dark chocolate is actually good for you (yes!). I used 70% dark chocolate which in my opinion gives the perfect sweetness and it’s not too bitter. You can use more or less darkness depending on your taste.
- Sliced Almonds – add a nice crunch and add they also make these chocolate granola bars look so pretty. Chopped pecans or walnuts can be used as well.
How to make Chocolate Almond Granola Bars
- Preheat the oven to 300F. Also, line a 9″x9″ baking pan with parchment paper letting the paper overhang on two sides for easy removal.
- Add oats, almond flour, cacao powder, maple syrup, and drippy almond butter to a food processor. Process until sticky and small balls start to form. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides a couple of times (turn the processor OFF when scraping!). If your dough doesn’t stick together your almond butter wasn’t drippy enough. Add a tablespoon or two of flavorless oil to the dough to remedy.
- Add the oat crumble to the baking pan and press down firmly with a flat-bottom glass and spatula to compress well.
- Put in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. When done place on a wire rack to cool.
- In the meantime, in a small bowl break the chocolate into pieces and add coconut oil. Heat in the microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring in between until the chocolate is smooth. You can also do this over a water bath stirring constantly.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the oat mix and move the baking pan around to ensure the chocolate covers all the oats.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds on top and then place the pan in the fridge for one hour.
- Cut into 12 evenly sized pieces and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
In an airtight container in the fridge, they last for up to 1 week.
You can skip the baking and just keep them raw to make them chewy. Oats can be eaten raw, no need to bake them if you prefer them chewier.
Chocolate Almond Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats *
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 3.5 oz 70% dark chocolate
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300F and line a 9"x9" baking sheet with parchment paper, letting the paper overhang on two sides.
- Add oats, almond flour, cacao powder, maple syrup, and almond butter to a food processor and process until sticky and small balls start to form. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides a couple of times (turn the processor OFF when scraping).
- Add oat crumble to the baking pan and press down firmly with a flat-bottom glass and spatula to compress well.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then place on a wire rack to cool.
- In the meantime, melt chocolate and coconut oil in the microwave in 10-second intervals stirring in-between, or over a water bath stirring constantly.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the oat mix and move the baking pan around to ensure the chocolate covers all the oats.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds on top and then place in the fridge for one hour.
- Cut into 12 evenly sized pieces and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Olya says
Our family score of this recipe 10 out of 10. Full of flavour and a delightful crunch these granola bars are so satisfying…when that sweet tooth hits. Thank you!
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat says
Mmm, what a gorgeous snack! I could eat about 3 of these right now :) the white chocolate topping is a lovely touch. Looks like you had a lovely break, Lorena!
Lorena says
I did Sasha, it was beautiful :)