Cashew Butter Granola Bars are sweet, satisfying, and disappear quick! They are easy to customize and make a great on-the-go breakfast or snack.
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I love eating granola bars for breakfast. They're healthy, nutritious, and are easy to grab-and-go option for busy mornings.
Most often I reach for these vegan granola bars, minus the chocolate. I wanted to change things up though and decided to use all cashews, and I'm so glad I did!
Cashew butter granola bars are great because they're naturally sweetened and full of healthy fats, which keep my blood sugar level and my tummy full without being too full, you know what I mean?
My favorite way to enjoy these cashew butter granola bars is to spread on a little extra cashew butter, although mini chocolate chips, a melted chocolate drizzle, or almond butter are also great options.
Ingredients
- Old fashioned oats
- Raw cashews
- Pitted dates
- Vanilla extract
- Pure maple syrup
- Creamy cashew butter
- Salt
How to make granola bars with cashew butter
- Spread oats on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Let cool long enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, place cashews in a food processor and pulse until chopped into very small pieces but not powdery. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add dates to the food processor (no need to clean it out!) and pulse until the dates form into a sticky ball. If they are too dry, add a few drops of water. Transfer the dates to the bowl with the cashews.
- In a glass measuring cup, stir together maple syrup, cashew butter, and salt. Add to the bowl with the cashews and dates along with the cooled oats. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a pan lined with parchment and use your hands to press it into a firm square. Place in the freezer until solid, then remove from the pan and cut into squares. Allow to come to room temperature before eating. Top with additional cashew butter, almond butter, chocolate chips, or melted chocolate if desired.
Top tips
Buying cashew butter
I usually shy away from buying cashew butter because it's so expensive, but I recently found the Simply Balanced Cashew Butter at Target . With Cartwheel and my RedCard (<-affiliate links!) it's super cheap, plus it's crazy creamy and tastes amazing!
Don't rush the chilling time
Make sure to freeze the granola mixture until it is completely firm. This hardens the granola mixture and makes it easy to cut into bars. If you rush this, the granola bars might not stick together!
How to pit dates
Dates have a very hard pit in the center that needs to be removed before sending through the food processor or eating. It is pretty easy to find pitted dates so you don't need to do this yourself (check the baking aisle of the grocery store near the raisins), however it is also easy to do at home.
Pitting dates yourself will result in the freshest date possible, making your homemade larabars softer and more rich tasting. To remove the pit, use a small knife to make a slit in the side of the date, then use your fingers to pull it out.
If the dates are very fresh you can also push them out with just your fingers. If you start to run your dates through the food processor and you hear a loud clicking sound, check to see if you missed a pit. It will probably be stuck to the food processor blade.
The best food processor for homemade granola bars
I love my Cuisinart food processor (affiliate link). It can handle big jobs like finely chopping cashews and dates. I definitely recommend the 14 cup rather than something smaller so you don't need to work in batches.
How to store granola bars with cashew butter
I like to keep the granola bars in an airtight container in the freezer until ready to eat. They should keep for several months.
Tips for customizing
- Replace the cashews with almonds and the cashew butter with almond butter for a slightly different flavor
- Use gluten-free oats to make these easily gluten-free (they're already vegan!)
- Add ¼ cup of your favorite dried fruit
- Add a dash of flax seed meal, chia seeds, or hemp hearts
- Roll into bite size balls for on-the-go energy bites
- Swap honey for the maple syrup
- Add mini or chopped chocolate candies for a healthier dessert
FAQ
It's easy to make these homemade breakfast bars gluten-free. Simply use certified gluten-free oats (<- affiliate link).
You can swap the cashew butter for peanut butter, almond butter, or whatever nut butter you prefer.
More healthy snacks
- Cashew Cookie Larabars
- Pecan Pie Larabars
- Peanut Butter Larabars
- Larabar Chocolate Brownie Bites
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites
- Lemon Poppyseed Protein Balls
- Gingerbread Energy Balls
- Cardamom Rose Energy Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites
- Chewy Granola Bars
- Nutty Chocolate Chip Vegan Granola Bars
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Cashew Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup pitted dates
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup
- ⅓ cup creamy cashew butter
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spread oats on a baking sheet and toast in the oven 10-15 minutes. Let cool long enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, place cashews in a food processor and pulse until chopped into very small pieces but not powdery. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add dates to the food processor (no need to clean it out!) and allow the motor to run until the dates form into a sticky ball. If they are too dry, add a few drops of water and continue to process until the desired consistency is reached. Transfer the dates to the bowl with the cashews.
- In a glass measuring cup, stir together maple syrup, cashew butter, and salt. Add to the bowl with the cashews along with the cooled oats. Stir everything together until well combined, using your hands if necessary.
- Transfer the mixture to an 8x8 pan lined with parchment and use your hands to press it into a firm square. Place in the freezer until solid, then remove from the pan and cut into squares. I like to keep the granola bars in the freezer until ready to eat. They should keep for several months. Allow to come to room temperature before eating, then top with additional cashew butter, almond butter, chocolate chips, or melted chocolate if desired.
Notes
Tips for customizing
- Replace the cashews with almonds and the cashew butter with almond butter for a slightly different flavor
- Use gluten-free oats to make these easily gluten-free (they're already vegan!)
- Add ¼ cup of your favorite dried fruit
- Add a dash of flax seed meal, chia seeds, or hemp hearts
- Roll into bite size balls for on-the-go energy bites
- Swap honey for the maple syrup
- Add mini or chopped chocolate candies for a healthier dessert
Amy says
These are so cute! I love your styling! I have never tried making granola bars but they look so easy!
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Amy! I hope you try them, it really is so easy and way better than store bought!
Platter Talk says
My kids are going to love these healthy, versatile snacks!
Lindsay Moe says
My kids love them too!
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says
These look fabulous and full of good fats and heart healthy oats
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Bintu!
Nicola @ Happy Healthy Motivated says
I was practically drooling at the title! Cashew butter makes everything so dreamy and creamy. Can't wait to make these!
Lindsay Moe says
Agreed! Thanks Nicola!
Roxana says
Such a simple and tasty recipe. I love how you kept the emphasis on cashew to get a full taste of it.
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Roxana!
Shashi at Savory Spin says
I totally understand those breakfast phases - I was in a yogurt and granola phase not too long ago - but I'd much rather be in the granola bar phase - especially wen those bars look as delicious as these do!
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Shashi!
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness says
I love homemade granola. These cash butter granola bars sound fantastic! I am a breakfast person and would love these.
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Dawn!
Jo says
Cannot have dates what can I replace with?
Lindsay Moe says
You could try replacing the dates with dried figs or raisins, but I haven't tested this. Otherwise it may be best to find a recipe that doesn't use dates.