Healthy | Gluten-Free | Dairy-Free | Refined Sugar-Free | Vegetarian
Forget store bought bars! These chewy, crunchy and naturally sweetened homemade Oat & Nuts Bars With Rosewater & Tahini are irresistible and wonderfully addictive. Classic oats, almonds and peanuts are combined with rich tahini and honey, creating a soft caramel like taste with a delicate hint of rosewater and cardamom for a warm Middle Eastern inspired twist. Every bite is filled with little pops of sweet apricot, crunchy pumpkin seeds, nutty almonds and black sesame, making them feel truly special. You might feel over the moon with each bite in the best possible way.
I designed this recipe using a mix of wholesome, superfood style ingredients like rolled oats, peanuts, tahini, dried apricot, pumpkin seeds and black sesame. They are sweetened only with honey, with no refined sugar, no preservatives and no hidden strange ingredients, so you can really taste and enjoy the real ingredients in every bite. Simple pantry staples come together to create something that feels comforting and special with your tea or coffee. Warm spices and a gentle touch of rosewater keep the flavour cosy and balanced. You may not notice each spice on its own, but together they give these chewy, naturally sweetened, gluten free bars a beautifully fragrant and comforting taste.
One of the secrets to these granola bars is toasting the oats and nuts. This simple step adds a light caramelised flavour, removes any raw oat taste and makes the nuts smell and taste incredible. It is also an easy recipe to make with just a few simple steps. The oats and nuts are toasted until golden and fragrant, the honey and tahini mixture is gently warmed, then everything is mixed together, pressed firmly into the pan and left for the fridge to do the rest. No complicated techniques, just mixing, pressing and a little patience while they set.
These oat and nut granola bars are perfect as a snack, a grab and go breakfast or something to tuck into a lunchbox. They are ideal for meal prep, especially during busy weeks or the holiday season, so you always have a nourishing option ready in the fridge. Children often love the soft, chewy texture and gentle sweetness, making them a lovely alternative to shop bought bars that are usually high in sugar and preservatives.
They are also a wonderful recipe to share. Cut them into neat bars, drizzle with a little chocolate if you like and serve them on a plate when friends come over. No one will guess how easy they were to make. You can quietly enjoy the fact that they are naturally sweetened, full of good fats and fibre, and far better than anything you can buy in a packet.
Ingredients Needed
- Almonds
- Peanuts
- Dried apricot
- Oats
- Pumpkin seeds
- Black sesame seeds
- Coconut oil
- Honey
- Tahini
- Rosewater
- Cinnamon
- Cardamom
- Salt
Why You’ll Love These Easy, Healthy Oat & Nuts Bars
- Ultra chewy and nutty
Every bite is soft, chewy and packed with texture from oats, nuts, seeds and little pieces of sweet apricot. - Taste like a caramel treat
The warm honey and tahini mixture gives a gentle caramel flavour that feels like dessert but in a more nourishing way. - Made with real, wholesome ingredients
Rolled oats, nuts, seeds, tahini and honey come together with no refined sugar, no preservatives and no hidden strange ingredients. - Naturally gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free
Made with simple pantry staples that suit many different ways of eating. Just use certified gluten free oats if needed. - Warm and cosy flavour
Cinnamon, cardamom and a hint of rosewater give a beautiful, gently spiced flavour that feels comforting without being strong or overpowering. - Surprisingly easy to make
Toast the oats and nuts, stir the warm honey and tahini mixture, mix everything together, press firmly into the pan and let the fridge do the rest. - Perfect for snacks and breakfast on the go
Keep a batch in the fridge for busy mornings, after school snacks or a sweet bite with your tea or coffee. - Great for meal prep and sharing
Make them ahead for the week, cut into bars and store in the fridge. They are lovely to share with family and friends, and children usually love the soft, chewy texture and gentle sweetness.
Is It Safe to Heat Honey When Making Granola Bars?
Can honey be heated safely?
Yes. Honey is safe to gently heat when kept atlow temperaturesand for ashort time. Problems are linked to very high heat, not gentle warming.
What temperature is safe for heating honey?
Honey is generally considered safe when heatedbelow 120°C. In this recipe, the honey mixture only reaches agentle simmer, usually around95 to 100°C.
How long is the honey heated in this recipe?
The honey is warmed forabout 2-3 minutes, just until smooth and combined with tahini and spices. It is never overheated.
When does honey become a concern?
Concerns arise when honey is heatedabove 120°C for long periods, such as burning, deep frying or prolonged high temperature cooking. This does not apply to gentle stovetop warming.
Why warm honey for granola bars?
Lightly warming honey helps it mix evenly, improves binding and creates the soft, chewy texture and caramel like flavour that makes homemade tahini granola bars so comforting.
Keeping the heat low and warming briefly is all you need for a safe, delicious and beautifully balanced result.
How to Make these Chewy, Oat & Nuts Bars With Rosewater & Tahini
Line a small square baking dish, about 20 x 20 cm, with baking paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out later. Preheat your oven to 160°C fan or 180°C conventional.
Chop the almonds and peanuts using a food processor or a sharp knife, just until roughly chopped, not ground.
Spread the chopped nuts and oats onto a baking tray lined with baking paper and toast them for about 7 minutes, until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside.
Add the honey, tahini, coconut oil, rosewater, cinnamon, cardamom and salt to a saucepan. Place it over medium heat and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring often, until smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. If you prefer a crunchier bar, let it simmer for 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Tip the toasted oats and nuts into a large bowl, then add the dried apricot, pumpkin seeds and black sesame seeds. Pour the warm honey and tahini mixture over everything and stir well until all the ingredients are evenly coated and sticky.
Transfer the mixture to the lined baking dish and press it down very firmly using a spatula, the back of a spoon or the palm of your hand.
Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the top feels firm to the touch. Lift the slab out using the baking paper, transfer it to a cutting board and slice into 16 bars, or your preferred size.
Try These Healthy Snacks Next!
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- Easy Crunchy Granola Clusters | Healthy, Gluten-Free & Refined Sugar Free
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Oat & Nuts Bars With Rosewater & Tahini | Chewy, Gluten Free
Ingredients
- ½ cup almonds about 70 g
- ½ cup peanuts unroasted (about 70 g)
- ½ cup dried apricot sliced small (about 60 g)
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats 130 g
- ¼ cup pumpkin seeds 30 g
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds 35 g
- 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil 21 g
- ½ cup honey 170 g
- ¼ cup unsweetened tahini 60 g
- 2 tablespoons rosewater
Spices
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅓ teaspoon cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the pan and ovenLine a small square baking dish (about 20 x 20 cm) or similar glass dish with baking paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out later.Preheat the oven to 160°C fan or 180°C conventional.
- Chop the nutsAdd the almonds and peanuts to a food processor or mixer. Pulse for about 10 seconds until they are roughly chopped, not ground.(You can also chop them by hand with a sharp knife.)
- Toast the oats and nutsTransfer the chopped almonds, chopped peanuts and oats to a baking pan lined with baking paper.Spread them out in an even layer and roast for about 7 minutes, or until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside.
- Make the syrupAdd the honey, tahini, coconut oil, rosewater, cinnamon, cardamom and salt to a medium saucepan.Place over medium heat and bring just to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, stirring often, until smooth and slightly thickened.o If you want a crunchier bar, let the mixture simmer for 1–2 minutes longer.
- Combine everythingIn a large mixing bowl, add the toasted oats and nuts, chopped dried apricot, pumpkin seeds and black sesame seeds.Pour the hot honey–tahini mixture over the top and stir very well until all the ingredients are evenly coated and sticky.
- Press into the panTransfer the mixture to the lined baking dish.Use a spatula, the back of a measuring spoon, or place a sheet of baking paper on top and press firmly with your fingers or the palm of your hand to pack the mixture down.
- Chill and slicePlace the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the top feels firm when you tap it.Lift the slab out using the baking paper and place on a cutting board.Use a sharp knife to cut into 16 bars or your desired bar size.
- ServeEnjoy as is, or drizzle melted chocolate over the top before slicing if you like.
