Introduction

These homemade Trail Mix Bars are a perfect blend of crunchy nuts, chewy dried fruit, and a touch of sweet chocolate. They’re great for a quick snack on the go or a healthy boost during busy days. With simple ingredients and no baking required, you can whip them up easily in your own kitchen.

The image shows seven square granola bars placed on crumpled brown parchment paper on a white plate with ridged edges. Each granola bar has a rough texture and is filled with visible layers of oats, chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, and dried red cranberries, creating a colorful mix of brown, green, white, dark brown, and red. To the right of the granola bars, there is a small white scalloped bowl filled with golden honey with a honey dipper resting inside it. The surface underneath the plate is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned oats
½ cup puffed rice cereal
¼ cup ground golden flaxseed (not whole)
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
⅓ cup dry roasted and lightly salted peanuts (chopped small)
⅓ cup raw pecans (chopped small)
⅓ cup dried cranberries
½ cup unsalted natural peanut butter (fresh and pourable)
⅓ cup honey
2 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp flakey salt
⅓ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Step 1: Line your baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to overhang for easy removal later. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, puffed rice cereal, ground flaxseed, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries. Stir gently and set aside.
Step 3: Heat a small pot over medium heat. Add peanut butter, honey, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and flakey salt. Whisk until everything is melted and smoothly combined.
Step 4: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Mix thoroughly until all dry ingredients are evenly coated. Let the mixture cool to room temperature to prevent melting the chocolate chips in the next step.
Step 6: Stir in the dark chocolate chips gently.
Step 7: Transfer the mixture to the lined baking pan.
Step 8: Place a piece of fresh parchment paper on top and use a spatula to press the mixture firmly into an even, flat layer reaching all edges. This tight packing helps the bars hold together well. Remove the top parchment paper.
Step 9: Refrigerate the pan for at least 4 hours to set the bars.
Step 10: Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into 12 bars. Store in a covered container in the fridge and enjoy chilled.

Tips & Variations

For a nut-free option, substitute pumpkin seeds and peanuts with sunflower or pumpkin seeds only.
Swap dried cranberries for raisins or chopped dried apricots based on preference.
Press bars very firmly into the pan to prevent crumbly texture.
If you want extra chocolate, drizzle melted chocolate over the bars after they set for a decorative touch.

Storage

Store these trail mix bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. They are best enjoyed cold straight from the fridge but can be left out for a short time before serving. To soften slightly, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.

How to Serve

A stack of four granola bars with visible oats, nuts, seeds, dried cranberries, and chocolate chips sits on crinkled brown parchment paper on a white marbled surface. Each bar is separated by thin sheets of parchment paper, showing rough, chunky textures in golden brown and beige tones. Honey is drizzling down from a wooden honey dipper held above the top bar, pooling slightly on the top and sides. A small white dish with honey is placed nearby on the right side of the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use smooth peanut butter instead of natural?

Yes, smooth peanut butter works well, but make sure it’s not too stiff or oily. Natural, pourable peanut butter helps bind the bars better.

Can I freeze these trail mix bars?

Absolutely! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before eating.

Trail Mix Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 108 reviews

These Trail Mix Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack combining oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and chocolate chips, all held together with a natural peanut butter and honey mixture. Perfect for an energy-boosting treat, they are easy to make with no baking required, and offer a balanced blend of textures and flavors.

Author: Daniel
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned oats
½ cup puffed rice cereal
¼ cup ground golden flaxseed (not whole)
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds
⅓ cup dry roasted and lightly salted peanuts (chopped small)
⅓ cup raw pecans (chopped small)
⅓ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup dark chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients

½ cup unsalted natural peanut butter (fresh and pourable)
⅓ cup honey
2 Tbsp coconut oil (melted)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp flakey salt

Instructions

Prepare Baking Pan: Line your baking pan with parchment paper allowing it to overhang on the sides for easy removal later, and set it aside.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, puffed rice cereal, ground flaxseed, peanuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and dried cranberries. Stir well to mix all dry ingredients evenly and then set aside.
Melt Wet Ingredients: Place a small pot over medium heat. Add peanut butter, honey, melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and flakey salt. Whisk continuously until the mixture is melted and smoothly combined without boiling.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients in the large bowl.
Mix Thoroughly: Stir until all dry ingredients are fully coated with the wet mixture and everything is evenly distributed. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature to prevent melting the chocolate chips in the next step.
Add Chocolate Chips: Once cooled, gently fold in the dark chocolate chips so they are evenly spread without melting.
Transfer to Pan: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
Press Evenly: Place a fresh piece of parchment paper on top of the mixture and use a spatula to firmly press the mixture down into an even, tightly packed layer that reaches all edges of the pan to ensure the bars hold together.
Refrigerate: Remove the top parchment paper and refrigerate the pan for at least 4 hours or until the bars are completely set and firm.
Slice and Store: Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang and transfer it to a cutting board. Slice into 12 bars. Store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week, and enjoy chilled.

Notes

For best results, use freshly opened natural peanut butter that is still pourable to ensure easy mixing.
Press the bars firmly into the pan to help them hold together and prevent crumbling.
These bars are best stored in the fridge due to the peanut butter and honey mixture.
You can substitute dried cranberries with other dried fruits like raisins or chopped apricots.
To make it vegan, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
For extra crunch, add more nuts or seeds as preferred.

Keywords: trail mix bars, no bake bars, healthy snack, peanut butter bars, energy bars, homemade trail mix, easy snack bars, oats and nuts bars