Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe
These Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bars are a delicious and nutritious snack made with rolled oats, natural peanut butter, honey, and optional add-ins like chocolate chips and nuts. With a chewy texture and a perfect balance of sweetness and protein, they are great for breakfast on the go or a wholesome snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
- Total Time: 25-27 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use verified gluten-free, if needed)
- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter (preferably with a drizzly consistency)
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup (honey recommended for better binding)
- 2 whole eggs (or flax eggs for vegan-friendly version)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Optional Add-ins
- Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
- Walnuts, pecans, or almonds (to taste)
- Chia, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds (to taste)
- Dried fruit (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) to prepare for baking the granola bars.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, peanut butter (heat briefly if solid), honey or maple syrup, eggs (or flax eggs), and any optional add-ins. Stir well until evenly mixed.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish or pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Press Mixture: Transfer the granola mixture to the lined pan. Firmly press the mixture into an even layer; the firmer you press, the better the bars stick together. Sprinkle optional chocolate chips on top and press them gently into the bars.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes, checking at 14 minutes. The center should be baked through, and edges just starting to brown.
- Cool Bars: Remove from oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Let bars cool completely, which helps them set properly before cutting.
- Cut Bars: Using a sharp, non-serrated knife, cut into 16 even squares. Avoid dragging the knife; instead, press it straight down for clean cuts.
- Serve & Store: Store granola bars in an airtight container. Enjoy as a healthy snack or breakfast option!
- Review: Leave a review and rating to share your experience with the recipe.
Notes
- Use a nut butter with a drizzly consistency to prevent dry bars. Substitute with seed butter for peanut-free version.
- For vegan-friendly bars, replace 2 eggs with flax eggs: mix 2 tbsp ground flaxseed with 5 tbsp water, let set for 5-10 minutes before mixing.
- Cut bars with a sharp, non-serrated knife by pressing down, don’t drag to prevent crumbling.
- You can cut into 12-14 longer bars instead of 16 squares; note nutritional differences.
- If bars don’t bind well with maple syrup, try using honey for stickier results.
- Add 1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored) and reduce oats by 1/2 cup for a protein boost.
Keywords: peanut butter granola bars, homemade granola bars, healthy snack, easy granola bars, no bake granola bars, vegan granola bars substitute, gluten-free snack
