• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Eat Fresh Glow
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Appetizers and Snacks

    Almond Cherry Pepita Granola Bars

    Published: Apr 3, 2022 · Modified: Apr 3, 2022 by Jacqui Wilson · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe
    closeup of an almond cherry pepita granola bar
    closeup of an almond cherry pepita granola bar

    These healthy homemade almond cherry pepita granola bars are our new go-to breakfast nut bar recipe. Crunchy nuts and seeds combined with sticky honey makes the perfect easy chewy fruit-and-nut snack.

    closeup of almond cherry pepita granola bar with scattered almonds

    Why you'll love these healthy snacks

    These homemade granola bars are crunchy, chewy, nutty, sweet, gluten free, and chocolatey.

    These naturally sweetened snacks also double as a breakfast bar.

    With wholesome ingredients like almonds, pepitas, coconut and cacao, these breakfast bars are loaded with protein, fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants. An energizing way to start your day!

    Only 10 minutes to make before popping in the fridge to firm up.

    Try my other healthy bars and snacks like Energy Snack Seed Bars with Tahini, No Bake Black Bean Chocolate Fudge Brownies, Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, or Carrot Cake Oatmeal Nut Breakfast Bars.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love these healthy snacks
    • Noteworthy ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make almond pepita breakfast bars
    • Tips, Tricks and Variations
    • FAQs
    • Storage
    • Recipe

    Noteworthy ingredients and substitutions

    ingredients for almond cherry pepita granola bars recipe
    • Almonds: add crunch and protein to the healthy granola bars. You can substitute other nuts like walnuts or pecan though they won't be as crunchy.
    • Pepitas: also adds crunch and can be substituted for pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds or sesame seeds. 
    • Crispy rice cereal: gives a little lightness to the snack bars. Feel free to swap with puffed quinoa or puffed amaranth in this recipe.
    • Dried cherries: gives the squares some chewy sweetness. You could also use raisins, dried cranberries or dried blueberries.
    • Unsweetened shredded coconut: adds fiber and texture.
    • Raw cacao powder: is loaded with antioxidants and chocolatey goodness.
    • Coconut nectar: works really well to bind the ingredients. It's also low on the glycemic index scale so won't spike your blood sugar.
    • Honey: adds sweetness and can be swapped with nut butter or seed butter.

    See recipe card for all ingredients and quantities

    How to make almond pepita breakfast bars

    Prepare pan: Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan with two criss-cross pieces of parchment paper, covering the bottom and sides of the pan.

    Dry ingredients: in a large bowl, combine almonds, pepitas, crispy rice, dried cherries, coconut, cacao and sea salt. Set aside.

    Wet ingredients: in a small pot on medium heat, add coconut nectar and honey. Heat until well combined and small bubbles begin to hit the surface, stirring often. Remove from heat just before boiling. Add vanilla.

    process shot
    process shot

    Combine: Pour the coconut and honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir with a sturdy spoon until well combined.

    Set: Press into prepared baking pan, pressing down firmly to compact all ingredients. Refigerate for 2-4 hours until firm. 

    Slice: Taking the overhanging edges of the parchment paper, remove the firm granola bar mixture from the pan. With a sharp knife, cut into squares or bars.

    45 degree view of almond cherry pepita granola bars on wood board

    Tips, Tricks and Variations

    • Cut in bars or squares and wrap individually or stack in an airtight container separated by parchment or wax paper.
    • Use a thick natural sweetener like coconut syrup, brown rice syrup or honey to hold the bars together. A thin sweetener like pure maple syrup may not keep the bars from falling apart.
    • Use different nuts or seeds like walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds or hemp seeds to change up the flavor. Make sure to keep your ratios the same as the recipe when swapping ingredients.

    FAQs

    What are snack bars?

    Snack bars are convenient, healthy snacks. Homemade granola bars should be high in protein, fiber, healthy fats and antioxidants, and made with natural sweeteners. A healthy granola bar recipe should be easy to make, convenient to grab-and-go, and can be substituted as a breakfast bar when you're short on time and need some energy to start your day.

    Can you substitute maple syrup for honey in granola bars?

    Maple syrup can be substituted for honey in granola bars but the bars may fall apart. A thick natural sweetener like coconut nectar, honey or brown rice syrup works better to bind the ingredients together for a firm and tasty hand-held snack.

    Why do homemade granola bars fall apart?

    Granola bars can fall apart when ingredients are not measured properly. Too many dry ingredients or too little natural sweetener or nut butter can make the difference when mixing ingredients for firm healthy granola bars. Chopping nuts rather than leaving them whole will bind better together, as will a thicker natural sweetener like coconut nectar, honey or brown rice syrup.

    overhead view of almond cherry pepita granola bars on wood board and counter

    Storage

    Store: these healthy homemade almond cherry pepita granola bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days. Wrap them individually for a satisfying on-the-go snack, or stack them separated by parchment or wax paper.

    Freeze: these healthy snacks can be frozen, individually wrapped or stacked in an airtight container, for up to 2 months.

    Print

    Recipe

    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
    almond cherry pepita granola bar closeup with scattered almonds

    Almond Cherry Pepita Granola Bars


    • Author: Jacqui Wilson
    • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
    • Yield: 25 squares 1x
    • Diet: Gluten Free
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    These healthy homemade almond cherry pepita granola bars are our new go-to breakfast nut bar recipe. Crunchy nuts and seeds combined with sticky honey makes the perfect easy chewy fruit-and-nut snack.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Dry ingredients:

    • 1 cup (160 grams) whole almonds, roughly chopped
    • 1 cup (146 grams) pepitas 
    • ⅔ cup (28 grams) crispy rice cereal (gluten free)
    • ⅓ cup (60 grams) dried cherries, roughly chopped
    • ¼ cup (22 grams) unsweetened shredded coconut
    • ¼ cup (25 grams) raw cacao powder
    • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

    Wet ingredients:

    • ⅓ cup (110 grams) coconut nectar
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

    Instructions

    1. Prepare pan: Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan with two criss-cross pieces of parchment paper, covering the bottom and sides of the pan.
    2. Dry ingredients: in a large bowl, combine almonds, pepitas, crispy rice, dried cherries, coconut, cacao and sea salt. Set aside.
    3. Wet ingredients: in a small pot on medium heat, add coconut nectar and honey. Heat until well combined and small bubbles begin to hit the surface, stirring often. Remove from heat just before boiling. Add vanilla.
    4. Combine: Pour the coconut and honey mixture over the dry ingredients and stir with a sturdy spoon until well combined.
    5. Set: Press into prepared baking pan, pressing down firmly to compact all ingredients. Refigerate for 2-4 hours until firm. 
    6. Slice: Taking the overhanging edges of the parchment paper, remove the firm granola bar mixture from the pan. With a sharp knife, cut into squares or bars.

    Notes

    Store: these healthy homemade almond cherry pepita granola bars can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 7-10 days. Wrap them individually for a satisfying on-the-go snack or stack them separated by parchment or wax paper.

    Freeze: these healthy snacks can be frozen, individually wrapped or stacked in an airtight container, for up to 2 months.

    Nutritional values are estimates only.

    • Prep Time: 10 min
    • Cook Time: 2 hours
    • Category: breakfast
    • Method: mix
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 square
    • Calories: 131
    • Sugar: 2.8 g
    • Sodium: 30.4 mg
    • Fat: 11.1 g
    • Saturated Fat: 5 g
    • Trans Fat: 0 g
    • Carbohydrates: 6 g
    • Fiber: 1.6 g
    • Protein: 3.4 g
    • Cholesterol: 0 mg

    Keywords: homemade granola bars, healthy snacks, breakfast bars, almond, cherry, pepitas, natural sweetener, gluten free

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    « Best Healthy Low Sugar Carrot Cake
    Carrot Cake Oatmeal Nut Breakfast Bars »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Seasonal Recipes

    • Cumin Roasted Carrots and Chickpeas with Lemon Vinaigrette
    • Roasted Turkey Breast with Garlic and Herbs
    • Roasted Butternut Squash and Kale Salad with Roasted Garlic Tahini Dressing
    • Roasted Root Vegetables

    My Personal Favorites

    • Roasted Butternut Squash and Cauliflower Soup
    • Apple Buckwheat Pancakes with Diced Maple Apples
    • Roasted Broccolini
    • Healthy Cookie Dough Bites

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Copyright © 2021 Eat Fresh Glow

    Privacy Policy | About | Contact