No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars

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One of my favorite Girl Scout Cookies are the classic Samoas.

I can polish off a purple box in no time.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

From the chocolate-dipped undersides to the chewiness from the coconut, they’re amazing. But they’re not exactly lite. How they’re called Caramel DeLites in some areas is mind-boggling.

Although these bars aren’t as healthy as a cup of steamed broccoli, they’re vegan, gluten-free, no-bake, and made in one bowl without a mixer in under 5 minutes.

And they taste lots like the Samoas Cookies I can gobble up. Full of coconut flavor, lots of chewiness, and enough chocolate to satisfy my cravings.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

These days most major grocery stores carry coconut oil in the baking aisle. I’ve tried at least 10 different brands and generally find most to be pretty comparable. For these bars, I used Nutiva Coconut Oil that I picked up from iHerb.com

Code AVE630 at checkout saves you $10 off your order. I love iHerb for everything from probiotics to face cleanser to stevia.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

In addition to coconut oil, the bars are made with shredded coconut and quick-cook oats. If you normally buy whole-rolled oats, pulse them in a food processor, and you’ll have quick-cook oats in 10 seconds.

After making a syrupy glue in the microwave with coconut oil and sugars which serves to bind the bars together, stir in the shredded coconut, oats, and press it into a pan.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

Brands of coconut oil, shredded coconut, and oats vary widely, so use your judgment if you think your mixture is too wet or too dry and adjust accordingly. Because coconut oil solidifies as it cools, don’t worry if your is fairly wet.

I was going to dip the underside of the bars in chocolate like Samoas cookies have, but I didn’t want the mess.

Plus, in an effort to keep them lighter, swirls rather than a solid wall of chocolate seems like a better call.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

The bars are dense but soft, very moist, incredibly chewy, loaded with texture. Between the shredded coconut and oats, your jaw gets a workout.

You’ll be picking little bits and pieces from your teeth for the next few hours. The bars that keep on giving.

samoasgranolabars-23

They’re satisfying, filling, hearty, and unlike storebought granola bars where you feel like you just ate air and need at least two, one is more than plenty with these.

While they’re sweet, they’re more granola bar than cookie. They’re less sweet than these Samoas Cookie Bars, and are a nice revamp to the No-Bake Coconut Oil Granola Bars I made in early 2010.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

They’re perfect for lunch boxes now that school is starting up. And they’re cheaper than buying storebought.

Vegan, gluten-free, easy, no-bake, and a healthier, homemade alternative to Girl Scout cookies or storebought granola bars.

Yes, please.

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars (vegan, GF) - Healthy granola bars that taste like Samoas Cookies. Easy recipe at averiecooks.com

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Yield: one 8x8 pan, about 12 bars

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars

No-Bake Samoas Cookie Granola Bars

I love Girl Scout Samoas Cookies, but they’re definitely a special treat. These granola bars are a healthier alternative, and are vegan, gluten-free, fast, easy, and no-bake. They’re dense, chewy, loaded with texture, and leave you very satisfied. They’re perfect to toss into lunches or anytime you need an easy, filling snack. They’re more cost-effective than storebought granola bars, and homemade always tastes better. Especially when granola bars can taste like cookies.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour 52 minutes
Total Time 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted or in liquid state
  • 1/2 cup light corn syrup (light in color – not lite; honey; or brown rice syrup or yacon syrup to keep vegan may be substituted)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
  • about 2 1/2 cups quick-cook oats (use Certified Gluten Free Quick Cooking Oats
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch salt, optional and to taste
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted for drizzling, optional

Instructions

  1. Line an 8×8-inch pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
  2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine oil, corn syrup, sugars, and cook on high power for 90 seconds. Stop and stir the mixture.
  3. Return bowl to microwave and cook for 90 more seconds. Stop and stir the mixture.
  4. Stir in shredded coconut, oats, cinnamon, vanilla, and optional salt. Note – when adding the shredded coconut and oats, add them slowly, bit by bit, rather than all at once. I found the measurements worked perfectly, but because coconut oil, coconut, and oats vary, add dry ingredients until mixture combines, noting it will be quite wet. It solidifies and firms up as it cools.
  5. Turn mixture out into prepared pan, packing it down with a spatula.
  6. Optionally, melt the chocolate in a small, microwave-safe bowl, about 1 minute on high power, or until chocolate can be stirred smooth.
  7. Even drizzle chocolate over bars. I followed the swirling pattern outlined here.
  8. Cover pan with foil to prevent frigde smells, and refrigerate until set and firm, about 2 hours. Slice bars into desired shapes. Especially in warmer months, I prefer to store the bars in the fridge rather than at room temperature so the coconut oil stays solid and bars are firmer. They will keep for up to up to 1 month in the fridge, or up to 6 months in the freezer.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 268Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 83mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 4gSugar: 31gProtein: 3g

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Do you like Samoas? Coconut or coconut oil? Favorite homemade granola bar recipe?

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Comments

  1. These sound great I’m looking forward to trying them out! I was wondering if there was any way to have less sugar or a sugar substitute that would work with these?

  2. OMG…I just found your blog and it is amazing! I am planning to do a lot of baking this weekend and thought I had all my recipes set and then I found your recipes. I love baking with coconut oil (It makes an awesome pie crust for pumpkin and sweet potato pie, by the way). Can’t wait to try some of your recipes and I’m sure I’ll be spending many hours browsing your site!

    1. I love baking with coconut oil, too! Especially with pumpkin! I have umpteen (vegan) pumpkin + coconut oil combos…https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/10/soft-vegan-pumpkin-cake-with-pumpkin-spice-buttercream-frosting.html There’s links within that post for so many other muffins, etc with coc oil/pumpkin!

      Holiday baking w/ coc oil – THESE!
      https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/11/soft-molasses-coconut-oil-crinkle-cookies.html

      All around great cookie
      https://www.averiecooks.com/2013/12/soft-and-chewy-oatmeal-coconut-chocolate-chip-cookies.html

      Gosh I have SO MANY I won’t keep leaving links but thanks for finding me! LMK what you make!

  3. I like to read reviews from people who actually make the recipes, so I thought I would leave one in case someone is deciding to make these bars. There is one major flaw! The name of the bars! They should be called ” I died and went to heaven bars”!! I absolutely love these bars! I did not change one single thing and they turned out so very delicious! Make these bars people!! You will want to stock up on the ingredients because you will make them again and again! Thank you Averie for yet another wonderful recipe!,

  4. I made these last night. WOW! I hadn’t used coconut oil before but this seemed like the perfect recipe to test it on. These are SO good and chewy and do taste just like the cookie! Only thing is, I did compare butter nutrition facts to coconut oil and WOW! Butter is waaaay better for you! Who knew! I will have to cut them smaller to get less fat with each portion.

    1. Thanks for trying them and yes, I agree – they taste so much like the real thing and glad you love them.

      In terms of butter being better for you…debatable. It has better stats if you’re looking at cals, fat grams, etc. But the *quality* of fatty acids, the type of fats in coconut oil, the other properties it has make it a better choice of fat for your body in terms of good fat that your body can use. At least this is what the experts say. So much written about it and so many experts weigh in on it, but my naturopathic doctor and so many others recommend coconut oil in place of butter. But to each her own on all this stuff. I normally don’t get into the health aspects b/c I am not qualified and just present the recipe :)

  5. These are fantastic! I had some slight modifications (added some almond butter and used unsweetened coconut) then pressed them into a muffin tin and while the mixture was still hot added the chocolate chips on top. Rave Reviews!!! Thank you :-)

    1. Oh I love your tweaks! In a muffin pan and adding choc chips while the mixture was still warm (easier!) and I bet the got rave reviews for sure! Thanks for LMK!

  6. Samoas are my weakness too! (Are they still called CaramelDeLites in some areas?) My jar of coconut oil has yet to be opened, maybe it’s time…

    1. Break the seal :) And then you can make some coconut oil cookies with it! You’re going to love it! And what you don’t bake with, you can rub into your skin as a moisturizer!

  7. These sound incredible Averie! All your bars look so good, really. I feel crazy/ashamed to say that I don’t think I’ve ever had a Samoas Cookie, BUT, I do know that I love the chocolate/coconut combo, and I’ll bet these might just beat that cookie. :)

  8. When I was a kid, Samoas were my least favorite Girl Scout cookies because of the coconut and now they’re my absolute favorite, also because of the coconut. :) Yay for making a lighter version I can eat without guilt!

  9. These look amazing, Averie! And so simple to whip up! What a great on-the-go breakfast for back to school. Pinned!

  10. Wow, Averie! These look so fantastic. I’m always amazed at how perfect your bars come out!

    1. Thank you, Lori! That is the sweetest compliment ever. I really, really appreciate it. You made my day :)

  11. Wow! Gotta try these! Our 7 yr old is a Girl Scout so we are big on the carmel delights, that’s what they are called here although I grew up calling them samoas! Cant wait to see what my girls think cause January is a long way off till its cookie sales time!

    1. Well since I don’t have a 7 year old’s metabolism anymore, so they’re a healthier option. Of course, there’s no caramel, no huge wall of chocolate on the bottom, but sometimes you have to make a few sacrifices :) So I know all of us moms can appreciate that and my 6 yr old likes them, too! Hope your daughter enjoys as well!

  12. Holy Samoa! LOVE this no-bake Samoas recipe in a cookie granola bar, Averie! This is just pure genius. Don’t know how I managed to miss you in my feed yesterday. I should just head on over every day automatically like I used to and not rely on the feed so I don’t miss a beat. Will be adding this recipe to that summer recipe round-up I am working on. (Yes, there is a Samoas category! Wrapping up the list this week.) Thanks for sharing!

    1. That is so awesome you have a Samoas category! And yes …feeds, and Reader-like services, it’s almost just easier to click to the blogs I read than rely on it sometimes!

  13. Okay I’ve been dying to make granola bars, so this recipe is going on the list! And the tip about the oats is fantastic!

    I have absolutely no control with Samoas in front of me. I wish they sold individual packs, ha!

  14. You had me at Samoa – my all time favorite Girl Scout Cookie! Beautiful, Averie! I am always in awe of your photography!

  15. Loving this lighter option for my absolute favorite Girl Scout cookies! I bet these are to die for!

  16. This part totally cracked me up – Plus, in an effort to keep them lighter, swirls rather than a solid wall of chocolate seems like a better call.

    Since when do you try to keep things light?!!?! Haha….teasing. I know you do. Sometimes. ;)

    I grew up calling them Caramel DeLites, and that is what they will always be. And peanut butter patties, not tagalongs. What is a samoa and a tagalong anyway?!?!

    1. That’s crazy that we grew up in the same era, 2 states away, and they were Tagalongs and Samoas, period!! Wow, something that’s actually different for us! :)

  17. Whoa, samosas that are that easy to make? This must happen. Love that there is more coconut that oats:) I am in total agreement with you about storebought granola bars – unless they are power bars or protein bars, they are just that – air! I am a huge fan of chewy, I think these would become a staple if I wasn’t careful! Thanks!

    1. And then the protein ones are usually engineered protein and something about it, my gut is really sensitive to them. So I’d rather just do homemade :)

  18. Do you melt the coconut oil and then measure 1/2 cup of the liquid? If so, is it ok to put the whole jar of solid oil in the microwave and then pour into a measuring cup from there?

    1. You want 1/2 cup of melted coconut oil. So however you get 1/2 cup of it, go for it. I would probably dig out a big hunk from your jar if it’s solid, put that in a small bowl and microwave it, and then measure out 1/2 cup. It’s a VERY flexible and forgiving recipe, so absolute precision isn’t needed. Just get in the neighborhood of 1/2 cup liquid-state oil. LMK how they turn out!

  19. These gorgeous granola bars are a coconut lover’s dream. Samoas are my favorite girl scout cookie. I attempted to make them at home several years ago and they were so ugly. But these – I can manage! It was the whole dipped in chocolate thing that got me. Problem solved!

    “Unlike storebought granola bars where you feel like you just ate air” – perfect wayof putting it. It’s like eating nothing, but you just ingested a ton of artificial ingredients. Making granola bars at home is just so much better in so many ways! I would gobble up this whole pan. :)

    1. I almost dipped the whole thing in choc too but on account of calories AND messiness, I refrained. And I’ve tried my hand at many, many ‘Samoas’-ish recipes over the years. This is my fave version for so many reasons, no-bake, texture, ease of recipe, etc. Trust me, I’ve been there where you describe :)

      And homemade is where it’s at. Not only for taste, but I can make a big pan of bars and get 12 really hearty bars for way cheaper than I could buy them. And these are hearty. No air-eating going on here!

  20. Ok! Know what I was JUST thinking this morning?! I must preface this by saying I never ever ever ever use coffee creamer (I just don’t like it and I don’t like drinking my calories), but I was so fixated on the Samoa creamer for MONTHS and had to finally break down and buy it. Just to try. I put some in my coffee, and of course it doesn’t taste that good and I’m disappointed. All I could think was “I really just wanted a Samoa to tumble out of the creamer bottle…like a real actual cookie” because I love them so much.
    Anyways, I will HAVE to make these because they’re my favorite GS cookie and I obviously need some right now. :)

    1. I tried that creamer for the first time a few weeks ago and I thought it was pretty good but it’s a VERY small bottle and at the rate I use creamers, bottles that size are not budget-friendly! And it’s truly like drinking your calories. A ‘splash’ is like 100+ calories, bam. Crazy, actually!

  21. Yum! Yum! Yum! My coconut loving daughter would squeal with (caramel) delite if she found these in her lunch box.

  22. I normally am not a fan of coconut but can easily polish off a purple box of Samoas as well. This looks like a great and healthier way to satisfy my cravings!

    1. Glad you’re a fan of the purple boxes, too. Those cookies are so small and go down so easily! These bars aren’t as easy to just inhale!

  23. You are the queen of no bake goodies!
    I hear you on the “can polish off a box in minutes”
    I can too!
    These are just super creative girl!!

    1. It definitely is possible but it’s one of those things that was just more time/labor intensive than I wanted for these quickie little no-bake bars. I’ve made homemade vegan caramel years ago and used a recipe I found online (long before Ashlae’s post) and it turned out good!

  24. I wish we had samoas over here in the UK. I will defo be making these so I can just imagine what they taste like.

  25. I love Samoas! This sounds like a nice, lighter way to get all those great flavors. And I love that they’re no-bake! I use coconut oil a little bit here and there — mostly with baked oatmeal.

  26. It’s funny that I’m not a coconut fan but always loved samoas. Maybe it was the caramel. MMMM. These sound perfect. Love the addition of the coconut oil too. Is there anything you could sub for the corn syrup or would that totally throw off the consistency?

    1. In the recipe I wrote:
      1/2 cup light corn syrup (light in color, not lite; honey or yacon syrup to keep vegan may be substituted)

      Can’t remember if you eat honey or not? If you do, that’s your easiest bet or search out some yacon if you don’t want to use corn syrup. I feel like agave won’t quite be sticky/tacky enough to behave like glue but haven’t tried it. LMK if you try these and what you use!

      1. My bad – I should have read closer. I know you’re good about putting subs –
        should have searched if nothing else!! Sorry. And you’re probably right about agave. It can be pretty loose.

  27. Loving these no-fuss bars! Samoas without cutting each cookie out and all the work so I can enjoy them in no time!

  28. I am imagining the awesome flavor of these with all that coconut. Now I don’t know if I should make these or the pb choc chip. What’s your favorite?

    1. These really taste a lot like a Samoas cookie. The PB choc chip remind me of a Quaker Chewy but better. And let’s not neglect the Snickerdoodle version, linked in the post, which is awesome in it’s own right. Depends on your mood. Make them all. Slice them into logs, wrap them in plastic, and freeze them if all else fails. They’ll keep for like 6 mos :)

  29. These look insanely good! I love that huge drizzle of chocolate on top! Plus, they are perfect for a quick, but slightly sweet on the go snack!! Which around here is a very good thing!

    1. Some bars just ended up with a heavier hand with the drizzling. Not that that’s a bad thing, right :)

  30. I have to say Tagalongs are my favorite Girl Scout cookie but these bars look so good! That shiny chocolate on top is calling my name.

  31. Yes! Whatever you are making, I’m in, Averie. Plus Samoas were my introduction to coconut, since neither of my parents liked it when I was growing up. Yum!
    (how long is that iHerb code good for, by the way?)

    1. It’s good forever! I’ve had it for 5+ yrs and it still works :) That site is dangerous. In a good way. I’ve saved SO MUCH $$ over the years by using it!

  32. Oh dear, these could be dangerous! LOVE the flavors going on here. And the swirls on top are just perfect looking!!

  33. I haven’t had a samoa in so long I forgot about the name change. I’ve seen recipes to reproduce them (some of them nut based and/or raw versions) but I like a granola bar version. My stepdaughter went through a granola bar phase in her early teens. She is more of a savory/cheesy snack lover, but has been known to bake cookies too. I’ll pass this on to her this weekend…her college classes started up this week and she is into packing her own food to take to campus or work.

    1. Oh if she’s into granola bars, and no-bake stuff, I think she’d love these as long as she’s into coconut. And the name hasn’t fully changed in all areas. It’s weird. Here in CA they are most definitely still called Samoas. They sell them in front of the groc store, Target, etc for months on end and I have to try to ignore them. I can polish off a box in a day otherwise!

  34. I am totally loving these 1 bowl treats you have been giving us lately Averie! I can totally finish off a box of samoas too so I am trying these later this week! Thanks!

    1. It’s all about time-savings, easy recipes that I know people will MAKE. Not a 7 layer cake with 15 bowls later :)

  35. I haven’t had a somoa in so long and now my mouth is watering.Satisfies a cookie craving while being an on the go snack? Umm. Great. Definitely making these. Thanks for the recipe!

  36. Samoas? WOW! Australia need to import these types of cookies bevacsue I am in love with the coconut caramel flavours!
    We have biscuit here called a kingston which features a coconut cookie sandwiched with chocolate ganache, but your ones sound so much better. I am wondering if they can be baked for a crispier texture?

    1. You could bake them, but that would involve heating up the house and they wouldn’t have that wonderful chewiness. The CHEWY factor is just divine in them. I would leave them alone and not bake them, but I am not a crispy cookie fan, ever. And I’m about no-bake whenever possible fan :)

      1. Me too, but my dad likes the crispier bars. So i was thinking if i could do one batch for him and no bake for me! :) thanks for the advice!

  37. Samoas are one of my favorite Girl Scout cookie, as well. So glad that there is a way I can make these for myself and have them be a teeny-tiny bit healthier. And also, now I can make these all year round instead of waiting for Girl Scout cookie season to come around. Thanks for this recipe!

    1. They do and you could drizzle some on, but I wanted to keep them slightly more ‘granola bar’ (i.e. healthier) and refrained from adding it. But be my guest, drizzle away. Noting that most caramel isn’t going to be vegan so if that’s a consideration, read labels!

  38. Samoa cookie granola bars sound like what heaven would taste like if it had a flavor. These are GENIUS. My breakfast seems so pathetic in comparison to these badass bars!

    1. You are the Samoas queen with umpteen recipes for things along the Samoas lines. I know you’d love these babies :)