These Tart Cherry Granola Bites are a simple, satisfying, no-bake snack made without grains, gluten, dairy, or refined sugar. They are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, packed with crunchy nuts and coconut, and finished with chewy dried Montmorency tart cherries for the perfect sweet-tart flavor. If you need an easy make-ahead snack for busy days, lunch boxes, road trips, or an afternoon energy boost, these grain-free granola bites are a great option.
This post is sponsored on behalf of Montmorency US Tart Cherries and the Feedfeed. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Real Food with Jessica possible.
Why Montmorency Tart Cherries Make a Great Snack
Montmorency tart cherries have a bright sweet-and-sour flavor that makes them especially good in homemade snacks. Their tangy taste pairs well with rich nuts, coconut, almond butter, and maple syrup, which is why they work so nicely in these no-bake granola bites. They add chewy texture, natural fruit flavor, and a pop of tartness that keeps each bite from tasting too heavy.
Montmorency tart cherries are grown in the United States, so choosing them helps support American agriculture and family farms with long-standing growing traditions. You may not see them fresh in the produce section, but that does not mean they are not a fresh, high-quality ingredient. They are picked at peak ripeness and then dried, frozen, canned, or juiced so they can be enjoyed throughout the year.
In this recipe, dried Montmorency tart cherries are chopped and stirred into the mixture after the almond butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup are combined. This helps the cherries distribute evenly so every granola bite has that delicious tart cherry flavor.
Grain-Free and Vegan Snack
These tart cherry granola bites are made with nuts and unsweetened shredded coconut instead of oats, so they are completely grain-free. The mixture is held together with almond butter, coconut oil, flax meal, and maple syrup, creating a soft but sturdy texture once chilled. Because there are no eggs, dairy, or other animal products in the recipe, these bites are also vegan.
The method is quick and beginner-friendly. The nuts and coconut are pulsed in a food processor until crumbly, then mixed with salt and flax meal. The wet ingredients are melted together, stirred with the dried cherries, and poured over the dry mixture. After chilling, the mixture is easy to roll into small snack bites. Store them in the refrigerator so the coconut oil stays firm and the bites hold their shape.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Shredded coconut: You may be able to use extra nuts in place of the coconut, though the texture will be slightly different.
- Nuts: Use the raw nuts you like best or already have on hand. A mix of almonds, cashews, and pecans works well.
- Flax meal: Flax meal helps bind the bites together. Chia seeds may work as a substitute, but do not leave this ingredient out completely.
- Almond butter: Another nut or seed butter can be used. Cashew butter, pecan butter, or sunflower butter would all be good choices.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil is important because it firms up in the refrigerator and helps the bites hold their shape. Another liquid oil will not work the same way. Ghee may work, but the recipe would no longer be vegan.
- Maple syrup: Honey can be used instead of maple syrup, but the bites will no longer be vegan. A dry sweetener such as coconut sugar is not recommended because the mixture needs enough liquid to hold together.
You will love these Tart Cherry Granola Bites if you enjoy easy no-bake snacks with real-food ingredients. They are sweet, tart, nutty, chewy, and crunchy all at once. The dried Montmorency tart cherries are a delicious contrast to the rich almond butter and coconut, making these bites feel special while still being simple enough for everyday snacking.
For more no-bake bite ideas, try these recipes:
- Vegan Paleo Carrot Cake Balls
- Paleo Vegan German Chocolate Bites
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Tart Cherry Granola Bites
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Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 cups raw nuts no peanuts
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup flax meal
- ¾ cup almond butter
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ⅓ cup chopped dried Montmorency tart cherries
Instructions
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Place the nuts and shredded coconut in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly and evenly sized. For a finer texture, process a little longer. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, then stir in the salt and flax meal.
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Melt the almond butter and coconut oil together until smooth. Stir in the maple syrup and chopped dried Montmorency tart cherries. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is evenly coated. Refrigerate for 1 hour to chill.
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Roll the chilled mixture into 1-tablespoon balls. Store the tart cherry granola bites in the refrigerator.
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Makes 27 bites.
Nutrition Information
Carbohydrates: 9g (3%)
Protein: 4g (8%)
Fat: 14g (22%)
Fiber: 3g (13%)
Sugar: 4g (4%)
