These chewy low carb granola bars take healthy snacking to new heights. So easy to make, and they’re packed with protein and healthy fats. No oats or added sugars!
People on low carb diets are really good at faking it. No, I don’t mean that, get your mind out of the gutter! I just mean we are really good at pretending one ingredient is a different ingredient altogether.
Cauliflower becomes rice, zucchini becomes pasta, and we make pizza crust out of mozzarella. And I use flaked coconut and sliced almonds as oats in recipes like Keto Oatmeal and Keto Oatmeal Cookies.
It’s all part of enjoying the keto diet, making our old favorites with real, whole ingredients. Often we are able to fool not only ourselves but our friends and family too.
These Low Carb Granola Bars are chewy and sweet, just like the ones you used to love. They will fool your tastebuds, for certain.
Also be sure to check out my crispy Keto Granola Bars for another delicious snack.
You will love these no bake bars
Remember the no bake peanut butter granola bars that were popular when you were a kid? You simply mixed peanut butter, honey, and oats and pressed them into a pan. Well, these low carb granola bars are essentially the same.
Except instead of oats, we’re using a mix of healthy nuts and seeds. And instead of honey, we’re using some keto honey and sweetener. We’re also increasing the nutrition with some protein powder and turning them into a great energy snack.
But the same basic principles apply. These bars require no baking, you simply mix everything together and press it into a parchment lined pan. Then chill until firm.
And compared to the original, these are far healthier. They have almost 10 grams of protein and only 4.4 grams of carbs per bar.
I’ve been eating these almost every morning before my workout. I particularly love them with a smear of my Keto Nutella on top!
Ingredients you need
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- Flaked coconut: When ground up, flaked coconut has a texture that resembles oat flakes. Shredded coconut tends to be too fine.
- Sliced almonds: I also like using sliced almonds to give things an oat-like texture. Make sure to get the thinly sliced nuts, rather than the slivered almonds.
- Pecans or walnuts: Some additional heart-healthy nuts help provide bulk.
- Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds add bulk and texture. You can also use sunflower seeds.
- Protein powder: I used unflavored whey protein isolate for these bars. Egg white protein and pea protein should also work. See more in the Expert Tips section.
- Peanut butter: I love the creamy no stir peanut butter from Santa Cruz. You can also use almond butter.
- Sweetener: Use a powdered sweetener to avoid grittiness. I used Swerve Confectioners.
- Keto honey: A little “faux honey” gives them authentic flavor. You can use the ChocZero honey or allulose honey. If you don’t have this, I provide alternatives in the Expert Tips section.
- Pantry staples: Vanilla and salt
Step by Step Directions
1. In a food processor, combine the flaked coconut, sliced almonds, pecans, and pumpkin seeds. Pulse until they resemble oat flakes with a few larger pieces.
2. Transfer to a bowl and add the protein powder, sweetener, and salt. Stir until well combined.
3. Add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Stir until the mixture begins to hold together. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, as necessary, to help the dough cling together.
4. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into a 9×9 inch metal baking pan lined with parchment or waxed paper. Chill 2 to 3 hours until firm, and then cut into bars or squares with a sharp knife.
Expert tips
Don’t worry if you don’t have access to keto honey. You can simply add another 2 tablespoons of powdered sweetener and additional water to help the mixture hold together. Do note that if you use allulose as the powdered sweetener, these may be a little softer when left out of the fridge.
How much liquid you need to add depends on a few factors, including your peanut butter. Thin, drippy peanut butter will require less water than thicker varieties. The protein powder you use also makes a difference.
Protein options: You can make this with just about any kind of protein powder. But collagen protein may make the mixture gummier and a little softer. Be sure to hold back on any additional liquid until you know what the mixture is like.
Frequently asked questions
I do not recommend conventional granola bars on a keto or low carb diets, as they have far too many carbs. But making your own low carb versions with nuts and seeds rather than oats is an excellent snack option.
This is a raging debate in the keto world. Some people will tell you that peanuts and peanut products “aren’t keto”. I disagree, because many people find that they can eat peanut butter and remain in ketosis. Recipes like these no bake granola bars are great for easy keto snacks to help keep you on track.
Store these bars in a covered container in the fridge for up to two weeks. They can be left out of the fridge for several hours without getting too soft but should be stored in the fridge otherwise.
More delicious peanut butter recipes
Keto Peanut Butter Fudge
Super creamy and rich, this Keto Peanut Butter Fudge recipe is the ultimate low carb and sugar-free treat for peanut butter lovers. It’s so easy to make, with only a few basic ingredients. Only 3g carbs per serving!
Keto Peanut Butter Cookies
Cream cheese adds an incredible tenderness to these Keto Peanut Butter Cookies. They’re chewy and sweet, and packed full of amazing peanut butter flavor!
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
These delicious Peanut Butter Protein Balls give you a quick energy boost any time you need it. With 12g of protein and only 3.8g carbs per serving, this keto friendly snack helps you stay focused on your day.
Keto No Bake Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- ¾ cup flaked coconut
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup unflavored whey protein powder
- ⅓ cup Swerve Confectioners
- ½ teaspoon salt (less if peanut butter is salted)
- 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
- 3 tablespoon keto honey See expert tips for alternatives
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a 9×9 inch metal baking pan with parchment or waxed paper. (Metal has even corners and straighter sides than glass or ceramic, which makes your bars more even).
- In a food processor, combine the flaked coconut, sliced almonds, pecans, and pumpkin seeds. Pulse until they resemble oat flakes with a few larger pieces.
- Transfer to a bowl and add the protein powder, sweetener, and salt. Stir until well combined.
- Add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Stir until the mixture begins to hold together. Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, as necessary, to help the dough cling together. It should feel like thick cookie dough.
- Press the mixture firmly and evenly into a 9×9 metal baking pan lined with parchment or waxed paper. Chill 2 to 3 hours until firm, and then cut into bars or squares with a sharp knife.
Holly says
could you add the sf maple syrup instead of the keto honey?
Carolyn says
I am sure you can try!
Michaela says
What could I use to replace almond slices ( allergies)? And how many bars do I cut according to calories sheet?
Carolyn says
You can try using more pumpkin seeds and/or flaked coconut. I am not sure what you are asking about the bars… it states it makes 16 bars at the top of the recipe.
Odette says
Hi, I love your recipes. I see I’m not the only one who can’t find the “Expert Tips” section to look at alternatives; would it be possible for you to make the words “expert tips” in the ingredient list into a clickable link so we can go straight to it, or possibly put a “jump to” button for it? I don’t know what is possible, just making a suggestion that may help some of us find the information. Thank you.
Carolyn says
I am not sure why you can’t see it. I will look into making it clickable but it’s below the step by step and above the frequently asked questions. For the honey it says: Don’t worry if you don’t have access to keto honey. You can simply add another 2 tablespoons of powdered sweetener and additional water to help the mixture hold together. Do note that if you use allulose as the powdered sweetener, these may be a little softer when left out of the fridge.
Betty Warfield says
Is there a link to the blog post gor expert tips?
Carolyn says
The Expert Tips section is right in this post. Please don’t scroll past it.
MJ says
I just made my first batch of these amazingly delicious keto. Granola bars! They taste up absolutely fabulous. My only mistake was not adding enough water so the finished version is very crumbly. I put in 4 tablespoons of water, but that was not nearly enough. I’m debating putting them back in the mixing bowl and adding more water. But we will probably just eat them as is crumbles and all and I’ll make a new batch tomorrow!
Cheri Mello says
YUM 👏🏼👍🏼♥️Thank You FOR SHARING ❗️I’ve Made Protein Keto Balls And I ALMOST got A COUPLE 😂🤣😂❗️LOVE the Peanut Butter Recipes TOO 👍🏼😊G-d♥️Bless
Susan says
I don’t like shredded coconut but I like the coconut flavor, milk and water. Internet says that coconut extract is a good substitute for the flaked coconut. Would I use coconut extract instead of vanilla extract or in addition to? If in addition to, how much should I use? Do I need to add something to replace the flaked coconut? Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.
Susan
Carolyn says
Yes, you will need to replace the shredded coconut. Use more sliced almonds or more pumpkin seeds.
Debi H. says
I see Protein powders in recipes and I have never used/bought any….what is a good substitute for protein powder….almond flour?. Yes, I have read the blog and there’s no alternative given. Thanks, the no bake granola bars look great!
Carolyn says
No, you need the protein powders. I explain why and what possible subs there are in each recipe. Please make sure you are reading the blog posts.
Diane Orr says
I don’t see the alternatives to keto honey
Shelly says
She gives an alternative method to use in place of honey.. in the blog post. 🙂
Carolyn says
Please read the Expert Tips section.
angela says
Has anyone tried adding in lily’s peanut butter chips to this as a mix in? I used to love the quaker granola bars that had those peanut butter mini chips.
Carolyn says
Go for it! I recently bought some of those and they are tasty. I have a cookie recipe coming with them soon
Angela says
Oh yes! I just bought a bag of those for the first time and I tried them out of the bag and they taste exactly like Reece’s pieces candy minus the chocolate shell, which I love!!! It was bad though because they were sooooo good, I ended up eating almost half the bag in one day. My stomach wasn’t very happy by the end of the day so next time, I need to definitely limit myself, lol!
Annie says
Whey is dairy. What would be a substitute for the whey protein powder in this recipe?
Carolyn says
Please read the blog post!