This post may contain affiliate links.
This post may contain affiliate links.
Take your favorite on the road snack up a notch in these simple, no bake Trail Mix Bars. Easily varied to whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand, date sweetened and the perfect fuel to keep you going!
Who doesn’t love a good trail mix? Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, chocolate chunks and easily made to anyone’s liking. A little sweet, a little salty and everything in between.
So tossing all these goodies into a nice little bar makes for a great, nourishing snack. These Trail Mix Bars are easily varied to your favorite flavors and packed with good fuel to keep you revving.
Simple, no bake and easily use up whatever is sitting around in the pantry–there are so so many options to add into these bars that you could literally make them every single week and never have the same flavor.
If you haven’t dabbled with medjool dates, get ready for this one. I love dates, they add a nice sweetness to recipes. In this recipe, they also act as a binding agent to really hold them together.
Grab your oats, some nuts, seeds and goodies and get ready for some good snacking!
Ingredients you will need:
- Any mixture of nuts and seeds and dried fruit is great in these trail mix bars. Chocolate chips, M&Ms, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, and more. Endless options!
- I have made these with rolled oats and quick cooking oats. Both work ok, but I actually prefer the quick oats. Use gluten free if needed.
How to make this recipe:
- Unless your medjool dates are really soft, soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes before processing them into a paste. Remove from the pits from the dates and add them to a food processor. Process until a smooth paste forms. It typically forms into a ball. You will want this to be easily moldable. It should be pretty moist but not wet or liquid. Like I said, it’s a paste like texture, but it should not be thick or dry. (steps 1 and 2)
- Transfer the date paste to a bowl with the oats, maple, peanut butter, vanilla and sea salt. Mix to fully combine. If the mixture seems too thick or dry, add in some extra maple syrup or an extra tablespoon of peanut butter. (steps 3 and 4)
- Add in all of the nuts/seeds/dried fruit/trail mix ingredients and stir to combine. (steps 5 and 6)
- Transfer the mixture to a parchment lined 8 inch square pan and press firmly. FIRMLY. You don’t want these to crumble apart, so press, press, press! Chill for about 30 minutes before serving. (steps 7 and 8)
Notes:
- I prefer natural creamy peanut butter that is nice and drippy for these no bake trail mix bars. It stirs much more easily than a typical Jif peanut butter does.
- I keep the cinnamon optional. Sometimes I add it, other times I don’t. It typically depends on what I am adding in and if it makes sense with those flavors.
Fun flavor variations:
- Blueberry Muffin: dried blueberries, almond butter, sliced almonds or pecans and an extra teaspoon of cinnamon. MMMMM.
- Almond Joy: sliced almonds, shredded coconut, chocolate chips and almond butter
- Cherry Chocolate: dried cherries, dark chocolate chips, chopped cashews
- Chunky Monkey: chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, chocolate chips, dried bananas
- Tropical: dried mango, dried pineapple, coconut, chocolate chips, macadamia nuts
What is your favorite combo??
Try these other No Bake recipes:
- Blueberry Muffin Protein Bars
- No Bake Piña Colada Bites
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bites
- Coconut Lemon Bars
- Homemade Perfect Bars
- Mango Coconut Cashew Bars
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No Bake Trail Mix Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick oats, regular or gluten free
- ½ c plus 2 T peanut butter or nut butter
- 15 pitted medjool dates (soaked in warm water)
- 1 cup chopped nuts or seeds
- 3/4 cup dried fruit and/or chocolate chips (raisins, cranberries, etc.)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
- 3 – 4 T 100% pure maple syrup
- ½ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Combine dates in food processor until a paste is formed. It typically forms into a ball when it is ready. You want it to be thin enough to mix into the oats, but not so thin that it does not hold together. If it seems to thick, add a teaspoon of water or two.
- Combine dates, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla, sea salt and oats in mixing bowl. Have patience, it just takes a bit of time to combine. You can add more maple syrup if the mixture seems too dry.
- Stir in the nuts/seeds, dried fruit and/or chocolate chips, cinnamon and stir to combine evenly.
- Press mixture into an 8x8inch pan lined with parchment paper. Press firmly to help the bars hold together nicely.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before cutting and serving!
Notes
- I prefer natural creamy peanut butter that is nice and drippy for this recipe. It stirs much more easily than a typical Jif peanut butter does.
- I keep the cinnamon optional. Sometimes I add it, other times I don’t. It typically depends on what I am adding in and if it makes sense with those flavors.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You are a genius ! This is a recipe sent from the heavens! I added in some coconut and I am in love!! Thank you so much for posting!!
Jessica, Wow! Thanks for bringing me an extra big smile today! I am so glad that you enjoyed them. I will be DEFINITELY adding coconut to mine next time!
These are so good and so versatile. I just made them last week and was hesitant because I didn’t think they would hold together very well. Also, they are not overly sweet like a lot of granola bars. This recipe is definitely a keeper! Thanks so much for posting.
So glad you enjoyed them, Melanie! I use these as a base and then toss in whatever I have around. Thanks!