For those of you without kids, let me tell ya how hard it is to send along any snacks to daycare. Since there are so many kids with nut allergies these days, many daycare facilities are nut-free, including the one Ben goes to. SO, I’ve spent a lot of time finding snacks that are delicious and safe for any of the kiddos at daycare so I can send them with Ben. If you’re looking for a daycare friendly snack, I’d highly recommend making these gluten free sun butter cookie bars.
What I think I love most about these sun butter cookie bars is that kids love them and so do adults. They are a healthier alternative to traditional cookies and they are gluten free. And well, they have chocolate, which kids love, but let’s be honest, we all love it too! You can bake these for everything from kids birthday parties to gatherings with even your pickiest friends.
Another bonus with this recipe is that you can use any nut butter. So, if you don’t have sun butter on hand, try peanut butter or almond butter, these bars are equally delicious.
I love making snacks that you can take on the go and that are healthier for you than store bought items. I have a ton of recipes like this on my blog. Some of my other favorites are:
- Almond Butter Date Pepita Granola Bars
- No Bake Oatmeal Cookie Energy Bites
- Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
These goodies end up super moist and delicious, so your toddler (and you!) will both love them. Fair warning: do not be concerned if things turn slightly green after a few days (if there are any left by then!). I know that sounds odd, but the reaction created with the sun butter makes things turn a bit green (think of sunflower seeds). Nothing is wrong – these are still delicious, sunflower seeds are just green in color! But you may want to start eating them a tad more quickly when they start turning a touch green.
Tip: when slicing cookie bars, use a pizza cutter to cut the bars into near perfect squares!
Next time you’re in need of a healthy and delicious daycare snack, make a batch of these gluten free sun butter cookie bars!
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- Sweet Potato Pancakes Recipe
- Kids Snack Ideas
- Quick and Healthy Breakfast Cookies {naturally gluten free & vegan}
Gluten Free Sun Butter Cookie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 cups brown sugar
- 12 tablespoons butter softened
- 4 eggs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 16 oz. jar of sun butter about 1 3/4 cups
- 6 1/2 cups oats make sure they're GF
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat over to 350. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
- Mix sugar and brown sugar together in a bowl. Using a hand or stand mixer cream the butter with the sugar mix until smooth and incorporated ('creaming' the butter and sugar is a process step of combining sugar and butter until it's smooth, there is no cream added.)
- Mix in 4 eggs, beat until combined.
- Add vanilla extract, cinnamon and sun butter.
- Combine all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
- Add in oats and baking soda. When mixing in oats, start with the oats on low until slightly incorporated. This helps so oats aren't flying all over your kitchen!
- Add chocolate chips and mix again
- Spread onto baking sheet
- Bake for 19 minutes
- Carefully remove from oven. Cookie bars will be slightly puffy, but they will settle down as they cool.
- Let cool for an hour. Slice and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Jennifer Joyce says
My favorite snack is popcorn!! I fix up multiple ziploc bags at a time so I have it on hand at all times!!
Sweetphi says
That’s such a great idea to always have your favorite snack on hand!
Ashley H. says
My favorite snack is most definitely cheese puffs. However, we rarely ever have them in the house, as I will go through an entire bag within 72 hours after opening it!
Sweetphi says
Omg I love cheese puffs too- I have no control with Pirates Booty!!
Susan Craig says
My daughter got me hooked on frozen grapes.
Sweetphi says
Oh how yummy!
Denise says
My favorite snack? Hands down: nuts. Any kind. Flavorful, nutritious and filling. Can’t beat ‘em!
Sweetphi says
Totally agree! What a great snack!
naomi winkel says
I make my own sunflower butter. I’m excited to make these with my homemade sunflower butter. Yummy.
Sweetphi says
I love that you make your own sunflower butter, I’d love to know how you like these!
Kim Henrichs says
Okkkkkkkkk these look amazing! My fave snack is a Craisin/Almond mix!
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, that mix sounds amazing
Monica M says
My favorite snack is either homemade granola bars, or a bowl of popcorn.
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, both are amazing snacks!
Amy Cooley says
My favorite go to snacks are cheese and hummus with cucumbers. I’m also really loving the Hippeas snacks.
Sweetphi says
Love all those snacks – I haven’t heard of Hippeas snacks, going to go look them up!
Tamara B. says
Oh my those bars looks so delicious and will be trying these out! I’m always looking for healthy treats to make for my family. I do not buy store bought treats because of all of the additives, hidden sugars, and unhealthy ingredients. I like to make oatmeal protein bites for snacks to take along with my or my family. They are healthier, packed with delicious goodies.
Sweetphi says
I think your family will love these! I love making homemade snacks as well 🙂
Linda Bick says
Yummy ? I’m trying Keto so my snacks are bacon ? & avocado ?!
Sweetphi says
Those sound like amazing keto snacks 🙂
naomi winkel says
The look really yummy, I would use a lot less sugar. I usually eat bananas for a snack with a little sun butter or peanut butter.
Sweetphi says
You could definitely make these with a lot less sugar 🙂 Bananas with sun butter or peanut butter sound like a fantastic snack!
Monica M says
my go to snack is usually energy bites, or granola bars (I make both at home, and keep on hand).
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, love homemade energy bites so much!
Sonja says
My favorite snack is popcorn. My favorite popcorn is Boom Chicka Pop Kettle Corn.
Sweetphi says
Ahhhh I love that stuff too! I just discovered it at Costco this week and bought a BIG bag and have been snacking all week
Rebecca S. says
I like to eat nuts and roasted chickpeas. Those bars look delicious though, so I may have to try them.
Jacqui Delario says
Lately, I enjoy peanuts more than almost anything. So, oatmeal peanut butter balls and dark chocolate buckeyes are among my favorite snacks.
Lisa B says
My favorite snack is almonds, or peanut better on celery. We are living the low carb lifestyle
Linda Bick says
I love to grab a handful of nuts! It’s even better when there’s time to bake some into bars!
Jeffrey says
I’m a snacker, its just what I do…With that said, if I’m on the road nothing beats a Kind Bar. On the other hand, if I’m at home I usually reach for a piece of homemade sourdough and smear it with peanut butter and/or Nutella!
Sharon says
Your bars look scrumptious, Phi! I enjoy snacking on dried fruit (apricots – yum!) and nuts.
Mary Morgan says
Look so good and my kids are all grown! I may take as a snack for myself. 🙂
Mary W says
We like to grab homemade granola/energy bars or balls from your recipes. It’s handy and healthy to have these ready to go for outdoor activities, after school snacks or road trip food. So many possibilities to make the recipes interesting and fun!
Cassie says
My favorite go to snack is either rice cakes with peanut butter or Lara Bars!
Little Cooking Tips says
They look fantastic Phi! Perfect for busy days. You can make some on a Sunday afternoon, roll them in cling film and you’re go to go for the whole week! Excellent recipe and we loved your video as well, KU-DOS!
Sending you our love,
Mirella and Panos
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I always enjoy seeing your names 🙂 These are definitely perfect for having them for on the go for the whole week 🙂
Hope you are well
Phi
jess larson | plays well with butter says
these look EPIC! chris will love them!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much girl, I think your hubby would definitely love these!