Packed with nuts and seeds, these keto granola bars are deliciously crunchy, gluten-free and super easy to make. You can prep them in just 5 minutes!
Traditional granola bars have a base of oats and contain copious amounts of honey, golden syrup or dried fruit such as dates to stick everything together.
Yum, but a combination that will send your sugar levels sky-high.
However, with a few ingredient changes it's easy to make a sugar free granola bars recipe!
You simply replace the oats with nuts and seeds and use a low carb sweetener such as erythritol.
If you like my sugar free flapjacks, you are going to LOVE this recipe.
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🌟 Why You'll Love This Recipe
This keto granola bar recipe...
- is only 2.7g net carbs per bar
- has a wonderfully crunchy texture
- is high in fiber and healthy fats
- makes a filling breakfast or snack
- Only 5 minutes prep
- will save you £££ or $$$ over shop-bought keto bars.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you'll need for keto flapjacks, as we call them here in London:
Mixed chopped nuts and seeds - I used almonds, walnuts and pecans as well as pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
Ground flaxseed and egg white - To bind, as discussed above.
Almond butter and vanilla extract - For extra flavor.
Sugar substitute - I used a granulated erythritol monk fruit sweetener. Allulose, xylitol or Bocha Sweet also work, but the bars are the crunchiest with erythritol sweeteners.
Sugar-free chocolate chips - A popular chocolate chip brand in the US is Lily's. Or use a good quality 85% to 90% dark chocolate such as Lindt.
If you use 90% dark chocolate, the nutritional values stay the same as with sugar free chocolate. With 85% dark chocolate, net carbs increase to 3g per bar.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Instructions
Making sugar free granola bars is surprisingly simple. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions.
Here are the basic steps, illustrated with pictures:
Step 1.) Pulse the nuts and seeds in a food processor until you have some smaller and some larger pieces.
Step 2.) Stir all dry ingredients in a large bowl, leaving a few chocolate chips to decorate on top.
Step 3.) Whisk an egg white and add it to the bowl together with the vanilla extract and almond butter.
Step 4.) Pour the mix into a baking tray lined with parchment paper and press down well to compact. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top and press down again.
Step 5.) Bake in the oven until lightly browned.
Optional Chocolate Drizzle
Melt either ¼ cup of sugar free chocolate chips or 4 squares of dark chocolate (85% or 90% cocoa solids) and drizzle over the bars. This is not included in the nutrition calculation.
Expert Tips
I have made this recipe many times. Here is what you need to know to make it perfectly:
HARD NUTS FIRST. When you chop the nuts in the food processor, add the hard nuts such as almonds first. Pecans, for example, are softer and don't take as long to chop.
CHOP THE NUTS WELL. If the nut pieces are too large, the bars can be crumbly.
TASTE BEFORE BAKING. Check the sweetness and add more erythritol or sweetener of choice to your liking. (I don't have much of a sweet tooth).
PACK THE MIX TIGHTLY. I did not press the mixture much in my first attempt which made my bars more fragile and prone to crumbling. Press it down firmly to compact.
COOL COMPLETELY. Let your keto granola bars cool completely before cutting. They are quite soft when hot, but firm up and get nice and crispy when cold.
CUT STRAIGHT DOWN. The best way to cut the bars is to use a firm downward motion with a large, sharp knife.
Variations
1.) You can use any nuts you like. I've made lovely chewy granola bars using macadamia nuts, hazelnuts and even pistachios. Just be aware that cashews are higher in carbs than other nuts.
2.) If you like coconut, you can use desiccated unsweetened coconut here too. Just swap out some of nuts and seeds.
3.) For additional flavor, toast the nuts before using! You can do this in the oven or dry-roast in a pan until golden.
4.) The chocolate chips are entirely optional - if you're not keen, simply leave them out. You could use freeze-dried raspberries or sugar free dried cranberries if you're up for a fruity variation.
5.) You can swap out the almond butter for peanut butter. If you want to omit nut butters altogether, use 1 tablespoon coconut oil instead.
6.) Option to use salted nuts or a pinch of sea salt.
Recipe FAQs
There are 4 options: Sugar free syrup, flaxseed, chia seeds or egg whites.
It's the best combination to get crunchy, chewy granola bars without raising insulin levels.
Yes. Sugar free syrup behaves similar to golden syrup - it's nice and sticky.
f you are not concerned with raising blood sugar levels, it's fine to use.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days or in the fridge for about 1 week. Or, freeze for up to 3 months.
More Keto Breakfast Ideas
- Low Carb Keto Granola Recipe40 Minutes
- Keto Peanut Butter Granola35 Minutes
- Low Carb Keto Muesli Recipe5 Minutes
- Keto Breakfast Cookies17 Minutes
Tried this recipe? Give it a star rating below!
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Recipe
Keto Granola Bars (Crunchy, Easy)
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Equipment
- 6x9 inch casserole dish/baking tray (23x15 cm)
Ingredients
- 2 cups / 250g mixed chopped nuts I used 1 cup almonds, 1 cup walnuts and pecans
- ¼ cup / 30g pumpkin seeds
- ¼ cup / 30g sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup / 30g ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 egg white whisked
- 2 tbsp granulated sweetener
- ⅓ cup sugar free chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate, minimum 85% cocoa solids
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C - 350 F electric. Line a 6x9 inch baking tray with parchment paper.
- Pulse the nuts and seeds in a food processor until you have some smaller and some larger pieces.
- Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl, leaving a few chocolate chips to decorate on top. Then add the whisked egg white, vanilla extract and almond butter and stir until combined. Check and adjust sweetener if necessary.
- Pour the granola bar mix into the tray and press down well to compact the dough. Press the remaining chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for circa 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into 12 bars.
Lucy
Really like this recipe and appreciated by my non keto husband and child
Saundra Hoffman
Hello, it says it lasts only 4-5 days in an airtight container on the shelf. If I were to dehydrate them after being made and put them into an airtight container, how long do you think it would last on the shelf? If you could please email me your answer that would be great. Thank you.
Katrin Nürnberger
Probably several weeks. The storage timings I give are always rough estimates. I gave the bars 4-5 days because they contain the egg white. However, some recipes such as biscotti or indeed meringue contain eggs and last for much longer.
Chrispy
Thank you for this great recipe! I swapped the pumpkin seeds for desiccated coconut and used a whole egg. The bars turned out perfectly and I had no issues with them crumbling whatsoever. 🙂
Karen W
I have just made these. I didn't have sunflower seeds, so I used hemp heart seed and I added a dessert spoon of cocoa powder to the egg and almond butter. I think I should have added a bit less of the cocoa - it is very chocolatey for me. I will make them again. Oh, and I used a whole egg and maple syrup.
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, 1/2 tablespoon of cocoa powder should be plenty.
Elizabeth Trow
Your Granola bars are scrumptious, so much better than any I have made before or bought, also your Banana muffins are fab, just great for a quick breakfast or even early afternoon cuppa tea, Thankyou so much Elizabeth.
Nicole S
Could you add Hemp hearts to this?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, of course. Just stick to the same amount of dry ingredients, so swap out the hemp hearts for some of the seeds.
Harriet
Is it possible to make these without using a sweetener? Thanks
Katrin Nürnberger
Of course!
Kay C
I am going away for a few days break, and I have been panicking about what I am going to be able to eat. At home I don't snack much but I know while I am away I will, so when I saw you could freeze these, I thought give it a go. All I can say is thank god you can freeze them. Seriously, these are amazing! In the freezer they are out of site. I don't much go for chewy bars, so these were just perfect. I did the whole taste for sweetness, and I very nearly didn't get them in the oven. I strongly recommend anyone on low carb/Keto to try these. I have frozen half of what I made so I hope they do freeze well and don't go soggy. I am also wondering whether the nut and seed mix just as is will make a good quick granola.
Julie
This is such a great recipe. I make it often! I refer to your page often because every low carb recipe I have made from your collection comes out really good.
Jan
Excited to try these! In the notes section...it says 'Makes 12 flapjacks' is that supposed to be there??
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes - flapjacks is a British word for granola bars.
Jenny Hummel
Can these bars be frozen please?
Katrin Nürnberger
Yes, that should work. They may lose their crunch as you defrost them though. If that happens, you can stick them back in the oven to reheat and crisp up.