Granola Bar Cookies

I’ve never been a big fan of granola bars. Part of that might come from my competitive swim days in high school — after early morning practices, I’d sometimes eat four of them in a row, convincing myself it was the same as having a bowl of cereal, just without the milk. It never really left me satisfied, and I realized they weren’t giving me much nutrition either.

That memory stuck with me, and I’ve been searching for something better ever since — a snack that’s quick, nourishing, and actually keeps me fuelled. These cookies are my answer. They’re simple to make, pretty satisfying, and they’ve become my go-to for busy mornings, between training sessions, or during long workdays. And now I’m sharing them with you.

Granola Bar Cookies

Makes: 12 Cookies / Prep Time: 50 minutes / Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt (high protein)

  • 10 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • 3 cups of quick oats

  • 1¾ cups whole wheat flour

  • 2 tbsp chia seeds

  • ¼ cup dried shredded coconut flakes

  • 1 cup chocolate chips

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp salt

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 °F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  • Chop dates into small pieces, based on your preferences.

  • In a large bowl, mix the date paste with Greek yogurt, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.

  • In another bowl, combine quick oats, flour, chia seeds, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, salt, and baking powder.

  • Fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture until evenly combined.

  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate batter for 30 minutes.

  • Roll 12 balls and form into patties. Place evenly on the prepared baking sheet (makes 12).

  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden and centers are set.

  • Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Tips and Customisations

  • Make cookies smaller to reduce total energy if you find the current serving too large.

  • Bring with you to keep your energy level up between meals.

  • Add nuts, or other dried fruits if desired.

  • Store 3–4 days in an airtight container or freeze up to 2 months.

Estimated nutrition information from my Cronometer account. Results may change based on brands and ingredients used.

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