No-Bake Sunflower Seed Granola Bars

Name: No-Bake Sunflower Seed Granola Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1.5 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned); 0.5 cup sunflower seeds (raw, unsalted, hulled); 0.25 cup honey; 0.25 cup peanut butter (natural, smooth); 2 tbsp coconut oil; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 0.25 cup dried cranberries (roughly chopped)

RATING

0.0/5

TASTE SCORE

8/10

Chewy, nutty granola bars packed with toasted sunflower seeds, rolled oats, and a hint of honey-sweetness. No oven required — just mix, press, and chill for a perfect grab-and-go snack ready in minutes. A wholesome homemade alternative to store-bought bars.

PREP

15m

COOK

SERVES

1 PIECE

236 cal

SERVINGS

INGREDIENTS

For 8 servings

1.5 cuprolled oats · old-fashioned½ cupsunflower seeds · raw, unsalted, hulled¼ cuphoney¼ cuppeanut butter · natural, smooth2 tbspcoconut oil1 tspvanilla extract1 pinchsalt¼ cupdried cranberries · roughly chopped

NUTRITION · PER SERVING

236

CALORIES · 1 PIECE

Protein7g · 12%

Carbs27g · 46%

Fat13g · 50%

Fiber3g

Sugar13g

Saturated fat4g

Cholesterol0mg

Sodium54mg

Potassium184mg

Phosphorus171mg

How we calculate →

METHOD · 7 STEPS

prep
Line the baking dish with parchment paper.
Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two sides for easy lifting later.
TIPCrisscross two sheets of parchment for the easiest removal.
saute · ~5 min
Toast the sunflower seeds and oats.
1.Heat a dry medium skillet over medium-low heat.
2.Add the sunflower seeds and toast, stirring constantly, until lightly golden and fragrant (2 to 3 minutes).
3.Add the rolled oats and continue toasting for another 2 minutes until the oats smell nutty.
4.Transfer the toasted mixture to a large mixing bowl immediately to stop the cooking.
TIPDon't walk away — seeds and oats can go from toasted to burnt in seconds.
mix · ~2 min
Warm the wet ingredients.
1.In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, peanut butter, and coconut oil.
2.Stir gently until the mixture is smooth, melted, and just beginning to bubble around the edges (about 2 minutes).
3.Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
mix
Combine the dry ingredients and wet mixture.
Pour the warm honey-peanut butter mixture over the toasted oats and sunflower seeds. Add the chopped dried cranberries. Stir with a sturdy spatula until every oat and seed is evenly coated and the mixture holds together when pressed.
assemble
Press the mixture firmly into the pan.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use the back of a greased spatula or a piece of parchment paper to press it down very firmly and evenly into the corners. This compacting is the key to bars that don't crumble.
TIPReally pack it down — loose bars will fall apart when sliced.
rest · ~60 min
Chill the bars until set.
Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until the slab is completely firm and cold to the touch.
serve
Slice into bars and serve.
Using the parchment overhang, lift the solid block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice into 8 even bars.

PRO TIPS

What to keep in mind.

6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.

1
Toast the oats and sunflower seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
2
Press the mixture firmly into the pan with a greased spatula or parchment — compacting prevents crumbly bars.
3
Chill for at least 1 hour, but for cleaner slices, refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
4
Store bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or wrap individually for grab-and-go snacks.
5
If the mixture seems too dry, add 1–2 teaspoons warm water or extra honey to help it bind.
6
Use a sharp, serrated knife to slice cleanly through the chilled bars without squishing them.

RECIPE VARIATIONS

Adapt it for your goals.

nut free

Nut-free

Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter (sunbutter) to keep these bars completely nut-free, perfect for school lunchboxes or those with nut allergies.

high protein