IBS-Friendly No-Bake Granola Bars: A Simple Snack You’ll Love
Who doesn’t love granola bars?
From kids to adults, these no-bake, sweet and salty, oat and peanut butter granola bars are always a huge hit. With just a handful of ingredients, you can make these bars according to the recipe or add some of your own mix-ins for a customized snack for your family.
These bars are great as a pre-game snack, with an afternoon cup of tea, or right out of the pan. Since you cut the bars to size, you can easily customize portions to what feels best for your body, which can make a big difference when managing IBS symptoms.
Why These Granola Bars Work for IBS
Sweetened with pure maple syrup, these bars offer that perfect chewy, salty-but-sweet balance without relying on more heavily processed sweeteners that may bother some individuals.
If chocolate tends to trigger your symptoms, you can easily leave out the chips or swap them for another ingredient that you tolerate better. That flexibility is key—IBS is highly individual, and what works for one person may not work for another.
As an added bonus, these no-bake granola bars are dairy-free and gluten-free, which may be helpful for individuals who notice sensitivities to those ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups gluten-free quick cooking oats (such as Bob’s Red Mill)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup no-salt-added, creamy natural peanut butter
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ¾ cup mini gluten-free/dairy-free chocolate chips (such as Enjoy Life)
IBS-Friendly Customization Tips
If you’re adding mix-ins, start simple and pay attention to how your body responds. Some people do well with small amounts of nuts, seeds, or dried fruit, while others may need to keep things more basic.
The key is to build from a base you know works for you and make small adjustments over time. Keeping portions moderate and introducing new ingredients gradually can help minimize unwanted symptoms.
Helpful Tips for Success
- If parchment paper won’t stay flat, crinkle it first, then smooth it into the pan—it will lay much flatter.
- A stand mixer makes this much easier, but you can also mix by hand.
- We don’t recommend a hand mixer for these bars—the mixture is too thick.
Final Thoughts
Sweet & Chewy No-Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups gluten-free quick cooking oats (Bob’s Red Mill)
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup no-salt added, creamy, natural peanut butter
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup mini-gluten-free/dairy-free chocolate chips
Instructions
Start by lining an 8x8 pan with parchment or wax paper. Allow the paper to hang over the sides for easy granola bar removal.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the oats, cinnamon, and salt together.
In a microwave-safe bowl, mix peanut butter and maple syrup together. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until the mixture is loose and easily pourable. Add vanilla.
Add the peanut butter mixture to the oat mixture and mix on low until incorporated. If mixing by hand, the mixture will be thick and sticky. Once the oats and peanut butter mixture are combined, add in the mini-chocolate chips. Mix on low until all mixed in.
Dump the oat mixture into the lined 8x8 pan. Spread the mixture evenly and press into the corners. Cover with another sheet of parchment paper and press down evenly. You might use the bottom of a measuring cup to flatten and evenly distribute it.
Refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight. When ready to cut, simply lift the parchment paper out of the baking dish and cut into 14 bars.
Store in the fridge for 2 weeks or in the pantry for 1 week (if they last that long!).
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
230
12.0g
23.0g
6.0g
2.0g
85.0mg
11.0g
3.0g
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