Snack + dessert – this cool treat just knocked both categories out of the park. These healthy granola cookie dough bars are the perfect combo of crunchy and creamy, but sweetened naturally with all ‘good-for-you’, natural ingredients. SO easy to make and even easier to eat.
I can be kind of a nag. I can be kind of a control freak.
Those two personality traits combined mean I’m pretty much the wife of my husband’s dreams (SARCASM). I can’t help it, I just can’t stop being in control of like, everything.
I got a little taste of what he goes through when I posted a sneak peak of these healthy granola cookie dough bars on Instagram. You guys were like ALL over me from that point on.
Messages after messages poured in, “WHEN ARE YOU POSTING THOSE COOKIE DOUGH BARS!?!?” “I NEED THAT RECIPE NOW” “BARS.WANT.HURRY”
I love you all something fierce, but your persistence on Instagram is relentless! When you want a dessert recipe, nothing must stand in your way.
I can’t truly blame you though – I’m the same way about how my underwear is folded, ALL dishes (clean or dirty) must be off the countertops, the pantry arranged in a specific order, and all the details of the week recorded on the fridge calendar. Things need be done in a timely and certain way.
But dessert is a whole other beast. It’s important. I do understand, I do.
Especially a dessert of epic portions like a honey granola top with almonds, cashews, and coconut. Especially a dessert with a healthy cookie dough base complete with mini chocolate chips. Especially these no bake healthy granola cookie dough bars.
I wasn’t planning on posting these healthy granola cookie dough bars for a few more weeks but the demands questions kept pouring in about these beautiful treats.
And I have to admit, rearranging my set-in-stone, highly organized editorial calendar wasn’t easy for me, but I did it for you. I do it all for you…
So here they are in all their glory. A decadent cookie dough base made of chickpeas and almond butter, topped with a simple honey granola nut mixture and frozen to perfect. Yep, these bars must be served cold. And they taste SO amazing as a cool summer treat – seriously favorite.
Just make them. I’m certain you won’t regret it. Plus throwing a bunch of stuff in a food processor then layering is an epically easy way to make an epically delicious treat. I couldn’t not love these healthy granola cookie dough bars more if I tried.
Feeling adventures? You can also flip these and the granola layer the bottom layer too!
Nutty dessert bars kind of your gig? Then you also have to try these paleo key lime pie energy balls, no bake chocolate mango bars, and these flourless peanut butter & strawberry chia bars.
PrintHealthy Granola Cookie Dough Bars
A crunchy cookie dough treat that’s actually good for you! These healthy granola cookie dough bars and a cool treat with decadent flavor, but naturally sweetened and made with real food ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 bars 1x
Ingredients
Cookie Dough Base
- 1 (15oz) can chickpeas/garbanzo beans
- 1/4 cup almond butter
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate or cacao chips
Granola Top
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/3 cup honey
Instructions
- Drain the can of chickpeas and rinse with water
- Combine the chickpeas, almond butter, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a food processor and process until creamy
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips
- Line the bottom of an 8×8″ baking dish with parchment paper, then evenly spread the cookie dough mixture in the bottom of pan. Transfer the dish to the freezer and chill for 10 minutes
- Add the cashews, almonds, coconut flakes and honey to the (clean) food processor. Pulse a few times to break down the nuts, being careful not to over process
- Once the cookie dough is chilled and set, remove from the freezer and add the nut mixture over the top, quickly spreading evenly
- Press down slightly to pack the granola over the top of the cookie dough a bit, then transfer back to the freezer
- Freeze for at least 1 hour
- When ready to serve, remove the entire granola/cookie dough from the pan (using a knife to gently pull the sides away from the pan) and cut into narrow bars, roughly 4″x2″
- Serve immediately or return to the freezer to serve later. Bars must be served cold in order for them to stay together
Notes
These bars must be served cold and kept in the freezer
Is there anything that can be used in place of the peas and beans? I am allergic to lentils and legumes, but really want to try this recipe! Thanks!!
Unfortunately not, the cookie dough base has to have the garbanzo beans
Can you use a different nut instead of cashew?
I only have almonds and pecans on hand.
Yep you can sub the cashews for pecans if you want
These look absolutely amazing for my husband and i!! Trying to get him eating healthy without realizing it, he’s like a child. Due to my IBD though I can’t handle coconut, can I just skip that or sub it with something?? Thank you so much for all the work you put into your recipes, they are a lifesaver!
You can totally omit the coconut Jordan!
Chrissa, I can’t wait to make these! This will fit the bill for the cravings of me, and my daughters!
Love the idea that they are cold, too! Love you on Instagram and your genuine posts. Blessings to your sweet family!
Thanks so much for the sweet note Tanya!
Made these the moment I saw your recipe posted!! The whole family loved them! I must admit though… the cookie dough is super delicious even before you freeze it! Definitely going to use this as a cookie dough dip in the future! Great work, Chrissa! Thanks again for sharing! <3
It’s hard to not eat it before it’s in bar form!! So glad you liked it Danielle!
Could the be successful in a high power blender instead of a food processor?
Yep, that should work too!
My daughter made these and followed the recipe exactly, and they came out perfectly! Just sweet enough, and hearty and dense. Served them frozen/cold to my book group, and they devoured them. I’ll be making this recipe over and over. Thanks for your innovation!
I’m so glad they were a hit!
Any idea how many calories per bar? I love the heathy aspect but I also have to record calories ?
I’m sorry I don’t have that info
I am so intrigued by this recipe! I’ve heard of people using garbanzo beans in sweet recipes, but I’ve never seen a recipe that looks good enough for me to try. I’m constantly looking to eat healthier so I’m excited to try these. Thank you!!
Enjoy Stephanie!
I made these today and they are really good. The only thing is they didnt stay together . Did i do something wrong ?i did use natural peanut butter.
Were they frozen? I used natural almond butter so I don’t surmise that’s the problem
What is the nutrition value of this bar… caleries, sugars, carbs etc..
I’m sorry I do not have that information
These look amazing!
Would honey be used instead of maple syrup in the base? I don’t have any on hand and would prefer not to have to buy a whole bottle just for 3 T.
Sure that will work!
I would love to make these, but my daughter has a tree and peanut allergy. I could substitute a soy butter for the base, but do you think Sunflower and soynuts would work for the top?
Hmmmm possibly! I worry sunflower butter’s taste will totally overtake the aim for cookie dough taste (since it’s so strong). If you try it, I might use a little more maple to sweeten the sunbutter taste
Can I use agave instead of honey?
Yep, you sure can!
I have all the ingredients but almond butter currently. What if I subbed in cashew butter instead?
These look so good! What a great meal prep for snack time!
Thanks for sharing! Do they keep long?
I am so impressed by the cookie dough layer- you don’t taste the garbanzo beans at all! These are definitely my new favorite.
Yum! I love the use of garbanzo beans (which is healthy and keeps costly use of almond butter down a little. I love almond butter recipes but some require a lot so my wallet cringes). Anyways, back to what you want to know. I didn’t have a food processor so I tried my Ninja blender… it didn’t work so well so I switched to the individual cup blender attachment and although slow, it worked better. I like the mix of textures and flavors but for my personal preference, as someone who’s not as big into nuts, I’d probably do 1-1.5 C nuts instead of 2 next time or for something different melt some chocolate chips and spread that on top 🙂 Thanks for the recipe! I’ll be referring to this one a lot!
I am unable to eat chickpeas. Would white beans work instead?
How many calories are each bar?
This looks so good! What a great snack to make for kids after school!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Love these are cookie dough!
I need to make these to have on hand for healthy snacks.