Soft, chewy, and allergy-friendly, these delicious no-bake chocolate sunflower seed butter granola bars are free of all the common food allergens so that EVERYONE can enjoy them!
That title, though — what a mouthful. I tried to shorten it, but believe it or not, that was the best I could do without leaving out any important information
I couldn’t get rid of the “no-bake” because it shows that these bars are quick and easy to make. I couldn’t get rid of the “chocolate” because it means that these bars are delicious (obviously). I couldn’t get rid of the “granola bars” because… well… that’s kind of what these are. And while I briefly considered removing the “sunflower seed butter,” I couldn’t do that either because it’s the most important point of all — it shows that these bars are allergy friendly.
Food allergies have become a hot topic over the past couple of years. Back in my day, gluten-intolerance wasn’t even a thing, and I’m pretty sure that I was the only one I knew of throughout all of my grade school years that had some kind of serious food allergy (damn you, pesky peanuts!!!).
Now, though? Even people who don’t need to avoid gluten are avoiding gluten (don’t even get me started on that one), and while nowhere near as mainstream, more and more consideration is being shown to those of us with nut allergies as well… which is a fact that I’m extremely happy about because back in my day (here I go again), I distinctly remember going to school and sitting next to kids who were chowing down on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich — something which very well could have killed me had I taken an innocent, curious bite.
I occasionally hear people complain about the fact that more and more public places are becoming nut-free zones, and it takes all of my willpower to keep myself from shooting them with a serious stank eye and a rude retort. Like… I’m sorry you are mildly inconvenienced by something that could be potentially fatal to me. How inconsiderate of me to be born with a severe food allergy.
I kid, I kid. I don’t get that worked up about it, but I’ll admit that seeing nut-free labels on things/places does make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside… unlike the days where I had to pass on birthday cake at parties because I didn’t know what was in it, or when my favourite candy bars suddenly started coming with a “may contain traces of peanuts” label, instantly making them off-limits (I’m looking at you, Twix!!!). It’s a step in the right direction in a world where food allergies are becoming more and more prevalent.
But that in itself is a whole other topic for a whole other day. I’m not going to get in to the fact that what we’re doing to our food supply is sick and going to catch up with us down the road. Instead, I’m going to share the recipe for these chocolate sunflower seed butter granola bars which, despite being a mouthful, are: nut-free, egg-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, and soy-free, meaning that everyone can enjoy.
Happy eating!
I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, and subscribe to our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!
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No Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter Granola Bars
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 10 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (128 g) sunflower seed butter* (I like Sunbutter)
- 1/2 cup (160 g) brown rice syrup**
- 1/4 cup (20 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups (102 g) quick oats***
- 1 cup (30 g) crispy rice cereal
- 1/4 cup (45 g) vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 (20x20cm) baking pan with a sheet of aluminum foil, leaving a few inches of overhang on the sides to allow for easy removal. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the sunflower seed butter and brown rice syrup, stirring until the sunflower seed butter is melted and fully combined with the syrup. Add the cocoa powder and salt, and stir until smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the oats. When the oats are well incorporated, add the cereal, stirring gently to avoid crushing it.
- Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking pan, using your fingers or a spatula to ensure that it is pressed down firmly and evenly. Cover the pan with a sheet of foil and place into the fridge to set, at least 2 hours but preferably overnight.
- When the bars have set, remove them from the pan using the foil overhang, and use a sharp knife to cut them into individual bars.
- Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave them on high in intervals of 20 seconds, stirring regularly to ensure they don’t burn. Once fully melted, use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the bars and transfer them to the fridge for ~15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.
Notes
* You can also use almond or peanut butter if you’re not concerned about allergies. ** You can also use honey if you don’t need these to be strictly vegan. *** This recipe requires the use of quick oats or the bars may not stick together properly. Also, make sure you use certified gluten-free oats if you need these to be gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
Looking for more healthy no-bake recipes? Try one of these!
No-Bake Vegan Oatmeal Fudge Bars
No-Bake Double Chocolate Fudge Protein Bites
Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
No Bake Brownie Batter Truffles
No Bake Protein Brownie Cups
Thanks for the great recipe! Love these and so do my picky husband and 5 year old. My son can’t have eggs or wheat and must have nut free treats at school so these are awesome!!
Hey Amanda!!! I made these today after gawking over them ever since you first posted the recipe. UM WOW! They are amazing and will definitely be made again. I love how easy they are to whip together too. I think they will be my new preworkout snack of choice!!! Thanks love!
I’m glad you liked them, Kristi! Thanks for taking the time to let me know 😀
Stopping in to share that you’ve bee featured tonight at Foodie Friday’s. Hope to see you there!
Blessings,
Shari
Those look really good! I also have a severe peanut allergy– I know the feeling of being frustrated by peanuts suddenly being an ingredient in foods I used to enjoy! Nature Valley Granola bars started adding peanut flour sometime around the time I was in MS- I was heart broken! And it seems like after that, pretty much all granola bars, and so many candy bars became off limits. I love that I’ve learned to make my own in place of those though. I love sunbutter! Will try these.
Stopping by from SITS. I am thrilled to find a sun utter recipe that looks great. My son has a nut Llergy and I can totally see him eating this. Thanks for sharing and I am pinning this for later!
These look yummy! My daughter loves sun butter, so I will definitely give them a try minus the chocolate chips because she doesn’t eat chocolate.
These look yummy! My daughter loves sun butter, so I will definitely give them a try minus the chocolate chips because she doesn’t eat chocolate.
These look like the best no-bake chocolate granola bar ever!! And I love that the ingredient list isn’t a mile long – in fact I have everything but the sunflower seed butter. Which I’ve been dying to try anyways! And what a gorgeous chocolate drizzle! I love these Amanda 🙂
I am definitely trying these! We don’t have any serious allergies here, thank goodness. But I do not understand people that feel that they are inconvenienced by those that do. A lot of those allergies are very serious…they’re not just some little thing to view lightly. We do eat some gluten free foods, mainly because my youngest son was very allergic to wheat when he was little (to the point where he would stop breathing and have something that resembled a seizure…it was an awful while we were figuring out what the issue was) and we had to eat gluten free for a couple years because of it. They didn’t know if he had celiac and we just decided it best to go completely gluten free and not take a chance. We found some products and a lot of recipes that we liked, that we still use to this day. And I just made some delicious brownies not too long ago with sunflower nut butter. Thanks for linking this up with us at Foodie Fridays. I feel like I just wrote you a book! 🙂
These look heavenly. I love that your recipes are super simple!
These look super tastey and really easy to do!
For more skinny inspo, check out Instagramer @sheinprogress1 and her skinny smoothies!
We are trying to decide which one we love best! >
http://www.getwhichit.com/whichitapp.html#!/Whichits/542a8c7571f23f0f644e2139/
I’m lucky to not have any food allergies or intolerances, but my aunt and cousin are both severely anaphylactic to peanuts, so I’ve always been super allergy aware. A lot of people don’t realize how severe they can be – my aunt had a reaction one time after my husband ate peanut butter at lunch at work and came home and gave her a kiss hours later. So it’s good that allergy labelling and peanut free zones and all of that is becoming more prevalent! And yeah, don’t even get me started on the gluten thing! Anyhoo, these bars look fab and I’ve pinned the recipe to make them soon. I love anything chocolate and no bake is so easy and convenient! I’ll have to seek out some sunflower seed butter (or make some) and get down to business!
don’t tell enjoylife, but your bars look and sound even better. although i love them! maybe homemade has a way to my heart.. and chocolate
Is it okay if I start compiling a list of things you need to bake/make me for when we meet up? These are on them, btw.
I have a secret love for sunflower butter. I originally bought it so that I could help my peanut butter situation…BUT turned out it was just as addicting! These look relish but I have a feeling I’d eat all the bars!!
Oh my goodness, these bars look SO good. Since they’re healthy I can totally eat the whole pan right?! 😉 Pinned!
Wowzas. These almost look too good to eat. Almost… 😉
I saw sunflower seed butter the other day but walked away. I will get it next time I do groceries though. I ned to know what the hype is all about!! Everyone says it’s sooooo delicious and if you give it the stamp of approval, then it must be!
I think it’s time we set the record straight and officially crown you Queen of Bars 😉 . All the ones you make just look so freakini’ delicious and I’m consistently amazed with your creativity! Even though I don’t have any food allergies, I would like a big batch of these delivered asap. Please and thank you 😉
Girrrl how do always get everything looking so professional? These sound and look so fancy, i’m already obsessed 🙂 I actually didnt even know sunflower seed butter was a thing (and i call myself a healthy living blogger?!) but yes, im really happy that more attention is being given to allergies on a large scale. And now im hungry, so i have to go eat something that undoubtedly won’t be as good as these 🙂
You need to try ittttttt! I can’t speak from personal experience, but I hear a lot of people rave about the one from TJ’s. It’s a nice little addition to the nut butter collection.
I always feel so bad that you can’t have peanuts—almonds all the way baby! These look TOO fab. That chocolate drizzle?! Heaven.in.mah.mouth.
Well since the babies aren’t fond of sunbutter (oh, the horror!), I’ll have to switch it use nut butter. Oh & btw, can I just tell you that you make such delicious looking & sounding no bake recipes. I wish I could just reach out & grab everything you prepare. Woudln’t that be the life!
I could SO relate to this post!!! I have a tree nut and peanut allergy (womp womp) and now it’s all over the place when I passed on so many pieces of cake and M&Ms 🙁 I’m definitely going to make these! Thanks 🙂
Stopping by from TheSits Girls link-up! Your granola bars look fabulous and I LOVE sunbutter!
Back in my day Pluto was a planet and I didn’t have to worry about gluten… though looking back at a lot of my childhood pictures I probably should have been.
These look amazing and I cannot wait to make a batch!
I do have food allergies unfortunately. I am allergic to eggs and sensitive to Gluten. I love this recipe because I can make it gluten free easily AND no eggs! You are brilliant. Love your recipes!!
Back in the day…..I use to eat rice crispy treats everyday in high school from the vending machine!
I would like to see your stank eye. Can we name him? It’s a he right?
I’m digging the chocolate drizzle on here, and I love how the missing bite coincides with the story. You are very clever my dear. I like it.
I am SO lucky not to have any severe food allergies, though I recently discovered I never fell very well after eating hazelnuts, so I’ve been casually avoiding them (not too worried about it). I have a cousin who goes into anaphylactic shock if he eats dairy, eggs, any nuts, or sesame (sesame is his most severe allergy). It’s so, so scary how many times his life has been in danger and he’s not even 13 years old yet. Yikes!
Back in my day… I miss tamagatchis (I am 100% sure I misspelled that)! I’m not quite 16… there’s not a ton to be missed yet. Ha!
These bars look deeeeeeelish. I might send some to my cousin! Thanks for sharing 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
I had one of those growing up as well! I actually booted it up and played with it a little while back, but it wasn’t as fun as I remembered it to be, and I kind of forgot about him so he ended up dying 😕
Love the sound of these bars lady! Pinning the recipe now. 🙂
I cannot wait to make these! They look delicious. 🙂
You’re seriously the cutest. I can’t with your post today. I was cracking up reading the whole time… even though I have different thoughts on nut free zones since I don’t have an allergy, I would appreciate shrimp free zones because they are delicious and I miss them. So funny – before I even read your post today I was putting sunbutter on my oatmeal thinking “hmmm I should make sunbutter bites”. #GREATMINDS.
girllllllll you’re killing me with all your recipes lately. Do you know your the reason I’ve started shopping twice a week now? Thanks for that 😉
These look amazing! Do you happen to know a rough calorie count for each bar? Thank you!
Sorry, Nessa! I don’t calculate the nutritional info in my recipes. You could use the calculator on My Fitness Pal to figure it out though — http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
Haha I actually don’t have any food allergies but I can imagine it being pretty tough back in the day. Back in the day…. I used to eat peanut butter straight from the jar in front of my roommate who was allergic to peanuts… I know, I’m horrible, but I would honestly just forget! Until she would kindly say… I SMELL PEANUTS.