By Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff | Published on June 14, 2026
Serves 10
58 cal · 53 min
Friend Bars
Recipe GLPR35f4ad83a2c190
Wholesome no-bake inspired bars loaded with a mix of nuts, seeds, crispy cereal, and chewy dried fruit bound together with light corn syrup. These crunchy-soft treats are naturally gluten-free and packed with nutrition, perfect for snacking or lunchbox additions.
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Ingredients
1 1/2 cups chopped assorted nuts and seeds (such as cashews, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and pecans)
1/3 cup crisp brown rice cereal
1/2 cup chopped dried fruit (such as raisins, apricots, berries, or dates)
1/3 cup organic light corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing
Directions
Preheat your oven to 325°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly coat the surface with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the chopped nuts and seeds, crisp brown rice cereal, and chopped dried fruit. Mix until evenly distributed.
Pour the light corn syrup over the nut mixture and sprinkle with fine sea salt. Stir thoroughly until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the syrup.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Place a sheet of parchment paper, waxed paper, or plastic wrap (lightly sprayed with cooking spray) on top. Use the paper or wrap to firmly press and compact the mixture into an even layer throughout the pan, then carefully remove the paper or wrap.
Bake in the preheated oven for 17 to 20 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned but the center remains slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 20 minutes on a wire rack.
Using the foil or parchment liner, carefully lift the entire bar mixture from the pan and place it on a cutting board. Cut into 10 equal bars and allow to cool completely before serving or storing.
Comments
This no-bake bar recipe relies on staples available at any Charlotte grocery chain—nuts, seeds, brown rice cereal, dried fruit, and corn syrup are standard stock at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, Walmart, and ALDI. Cost per serving lands around $0.60–$0.80, driven mainly by the nuts and dried fruit, which are reasonable at bulk pricing. The stated 53 minutes is honest for mixing and setting time, though the bars may need a few extra minutes in the fridge if your kitchen runs warm. These reheat poorly but are meant for same-day eating, and at 10 servings they work well for a family snack or lunchbox addition, though they're not a meal.
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