Homemade Clif Bars (No-Bake!)
I had been in the dark about Clif Bars until just a couple of months ago. I had heard of them, but I typically don’t buy bars like that, so I had never tried one. I met a good friend for dinner one night, and she was giving me the details about her relatively new job. Among the perks were free, healthy snacks in the cafeteria area. She said that there were bins of Clif Bars, and when I mentioned that I’d never tried them, she pulled one out of her purse and gave it to me. A few days later I was spending the bulk of the morning running errands and without fail, found myself starving. I didn’t want to get fast food or hit a vending machine and then remembered that I had the Clif Bar in my purse. I dug it out and gave it a try. It took approximately 2.2 seconds for me to realize why so many people are such big fans of these bars. It only took another 10 seconds to start brainstorming ideas for a homemade version. Through some trial and error, I came up with an awesome replication of the Chocolate Chip Peanut Crunch variety.
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Even though there isn’t anything inherently “bad” for you in these bars and they are certainly a step above your typical processed granola bars, but I still relish making anything I can from scratch in my own kitchen. I grabbed the wrapper to study the ingredients, did some Googling and finally came up with these bars. I absolutely love them – they’re sweet, chewy, a little crisp and packed with flavor. These are sweetened with brown rice syrup, don’t include any sugar and are gluten-free. These make an awesome snack, and are a perfect substitution for breakfast or lunch if you’re running late or on the go.
If you’ve had them, what’s your favorite Clif Bar flavor?
One year ago: Maple-Walnut Fudge
Two years ago: Pancake Cupcakes with Maple-Bacon Frosting
Three years ago: Chewy, Fudgy Triple-Chocolate Brownies
Five years ago: Beef Mushroom Barley Soup
Homemade Clif Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup (147 g) dates, pitted
- 1¼ cups (23.33 g) crisp rice cereal
- 1 cup (81 g) quick-cooking oats
- ¼ cup (36.5 g) coarsely chopped peanuts
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- ½ cup (129 g) peanut butter
- ⅓ cup (113.67 ml) brown rice syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (45 g) mini semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray an 8x8-inch pan with non-stick cooking spray; set aside.
- Place the dates in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Combine the pureed dates with the cereal, oats, peanuts, flaxseed, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.
- Combine the peanut butter and brown rice syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until melted and completely blended. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir until well combined. Gently stir in the chocolate chips. Turn the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly to pack the mixture into the pan. Let the mixture sit until completely cool and set, at least 1 hour. Cut into bars, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
Do you think I could sub agave sweetener for the brown rice syrup?!
I cannot Wait to try these! My
husband eats a lot of cliff bars and we definitely appreciate the health factor but costs are rising, I don’t mind them however there is still that processed feel/taste about them! So I’m super excited to get into the kitchen and make some of these!
Thanks for creating this recipe
These are really tasty, healthy and easy to make! I substituted almonds and almond butter since my son is allergic to peanuts. I also substituted 1/2 maple syrup and 1/2 agave since I didn’t have brown rice syrup. Delicious! Thanks so much for making this recipe available!
Wow I loveeee these! I traded brown rice syrup for maple syrup because I didn’t have it and added a few dried cranberries as well as chia seeds. Will definitely make again
First problem was the first ingredient, dates. This is supposed to be a “Clif bar” copycat. Not an RXBar. Clif Bars don’t have dates. I personally find dates pretty gross. So I was kinda disappointed.
gonna be trying this for sure… I acquired a couple of these after a company breakfast they’re completly outta this world!!!
Loved these!! How long can you keep them in the fridge please
Will make these as soon as I get my hands on brown rice syrup! I had a clif bar today. So good. Fav flavors are trail mix and white chocolate macadamia!
Do they taste like Clif bars? I dunno. I’ve had Clif bars, and I’ve had these, and I can tell you neither of them taste like your typical, bland or over-sugared “fitness” bar, and that’s a good thing!
I reduced the peanuts by half and added some cocoa dusted almonds I had on hand to make up the difference.
These were a big hit with the family, and they taste great out of the refrigerator.
For ease, I wrapped mine in aluminum foil instead of plastic wrap.