Oat Granola Bars – Gluten, Nut, Dairy Free +12M

Granola bars are such a convenient snack for the kids. Easy to hold, easy on-the-go solution and loaded with nutrients.

You can find great organic kid friendly options at the grocery store, still, preparing homemade granola bars is so easy that you might consider to give it a try! In addition to that, homemade granola bars have only the ingredients that you decide and, as you can imagine, are way less expensive than the store bought ones.

Another big plus: you can size them following your toddler/kid appetite. No more food waste 🙂

This recipe is my older kid’s favorite one: oat granola with maple syrup. The bars are naturally gluten + egg + dairy + nut free. Perfect for kids with allergies 🙂

Considering the maple syrup involved (yes, a natural and lovely sweetener, but still an added sugar) I would suggest the recipe for toddlers, starting from 12 months of age.

The procedure is so simple that my Luca (he’s 8yrs) made few batches by himself with my supervision only 🙂

In a large bowl mix all the dry ingredients starting from the old fashioned oats, the rice cereals. I like to use unsweetened rice cereals, not to exaggerate with the sugars. I also add the oat flour. If you don’t have oat flour available there is a trick: blend old fashioned oats for few minutes in a food processor and you will get your oat flour!!

I also add coconut sugar or cane sugar will work too, altogether with baking soda and a pinch of salt.

On top of the dry ingredients add all the wet ingredients starting from the maple syrup. You can substitute maple syrup with molasses for a deeper and caramelized flavor. Coconut oil, vanilla extract and hemp seeds are the last ingredients.

Combine well.

Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper. Transfer the mix.

Level the oat mix with a spoon, press to compact as much as possible. The more compact the less friable the bars will be.

Bake in preheated oven to 350F for 30/35 min or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.

Place another parchment paper foil on top of the granola and press again with a flat surface (I used the bottom of a glass container). Let it cool down 15 min and cut in as many bars and as big or small as you like!!

Storage: here in LA can get very hot (the countertop can reach 80F easily during the day) so I store the bars in the refrigerator. They will last up to 1 month and a half without any problem…but knowing my family I know they will be gone in 2 weeks 🙂

Oat Granola Bars +12M
Ingredients
  • 3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
  • 1 cup rice cereals, unsweetened
  • 2/3 cup oat flour
  • 3 Tbsp coconut sugar
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 2/3 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp hemp seeds
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl combine all the ingredients: old fashioned oats + rice cereal + oat flour + sugar + baking soda + salt + maple syrup + coconut oil + vanilla + hemp seeds

  2. Combine well.

  3. Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper. Transfer the oat mix.

  4. Level the oat mix with a spoon, press to compact as much as possible. The more compact the less friable the bars will be.

  5. Bake in preheated oven to 350F for 30/35 min or until golden brown. Remove from the oven.

  6. Place another parchment paper foil on top and press again with a flat surface (I used the bottom of a glass container). 

  7. Let it cool down 15 min and cut in bars.

5 Comments

Did you make this recipe? Share the love, tag @buonapappa on Instagram and hashtag it #buonapappa I would love to see your creations!

  • Reply
    Oat Granola Bars – Gluten, Nut, Dairy Free +12M – MySpecialFood.com
    January 19, 2019 at 2:17 am

    […] Granola bars are such a convenient snack for the kids. Easy to hold, easy on-the-go solution and loaded with nutrients. You can find great organic kid friendly options at the grocery store, still, preparing homemade granola bars is so easy that you might consider to give it a try! In addition to that, homemade granola bars have only the ingredients that you decide and, as you can imagine, are way […] Source: Oat Granola Bars – Gluten, Nut, Dairy Free +12M […]

  • Reply
    Evie
    January 28, 2019 at 3:16 am

    Hi this looks wonderful. I am wondering if it’s ok to use quick cooking oats and what size of a baking pan are you using? Thank you!

    • User Avatar
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      Barbara Lamperti
      February 15, 2019 at 10:18 pm

      Thanks!! Yes, you can use quick cooking oats, just check the ingredients to see if they didn’t add anything else.
      For the baking sheet, it’s an half sheet pan (18 by 13 inches or 46 by 33 cm). Thank you!!! ciao, b

  • Reply
    Madison
    September 27, 2022 at 7:07 am

    This does not hold together good enough for me. Something I’m missing or can add?

    • User Avatar
      Reply
      Barbara Lamperti
      June 6, 2023 at 3:42 am

      Got it! For a more compact bar you will need to add more “glue” aka sugar, maple syrup and coconut oil. I would increase the sugar to 4 Tbsp, 1 cup maple syrup and 1 extra Tbsp coconut oil. Let me know if it’s enough compact for you. Enjoy!

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