Skip the store-bought snacks and whip up a family favorite recipe for soft and chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars.
As I near the final countdown to baby #2’s arrival, I’ve got one craving and one craving only on my mind: all things chewy!
It may seem odd to crave a texture rather than a taste, but there’s just something about chewy foods that has driven both of my pregnancies. Baby #1 was all about the…
bagels! And with just a few short weeks left until we meet our newest addition, Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars have been on the regular rotation at our house.
Much like their culinary cousin, Homemade Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, this DIY snack steers clear of any crispiness in favor of every element I’ve ever known a spectacular granola bar to encompass: chewy, chewy, chewy andddd more chewiness.
I like a granola bar that you can really sink your teeth into. These bars satisfy every chewy craving imaginable, with the added bonus that they’re packed with peanut butter for some good ol’ fashioned protein.
The p.b. flavor is courtesy of both the creamy good stuff and peanut butter chips. Toss in a few chocolate chips for a touch of sweetness and you, too, may be destined to skip the store-bought granola bars for good.
Looking for more DIY granola? Don’t miss my go-to recipe for Easy Homemade Granola that can be customized with all of your favorite chopped nuts and dried fruits for the ultimate make-ahead breakfast-slash-snack.
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Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (regular or reduced fat)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tablespoons canola oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup peanut butter chips
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 13x9-inch nonstick baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, honey, egg, oil and vanilla extract with a handheld beater until smooth and creamy.
- In a separate medium bowl, stir together the oats, brown sugar and salt. Add the oat mixture to the peanut butter mixture and stir until well combined then stir in the peanut butter chips and mini chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan, pressing it into an even layer.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely before slicing the granola into bars and serving.
- ★ Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to give it a star rating below!
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Recipe adapted from Taste of Home.
Double the recipe and it fits great in a Half sheet pan.
So glad you enjoyed it!
These are great! Easy and delicious.
Question: what is the best way to store them? Do they need to be in the refrigerator or just in an airtight container for the cabinet ?
Thanks!!!
So glad you’re enjoying the recipe, Katie! They can be stored in an airtight container at room temp.
Mine crumbled apart. Came out more like trail mix. I pressed the mix hard into the pan with a spatula as suggested, but it was pretty dry so I didn’t have to oil the spatula. I did add 1/3 cup of pumpkin seeds and 1/2 cup of coconut, so maybe there were too many dry ingredients for the amount of wet ingredients.
Hi Mary – Yes, adding those ingredients will throw off the ratios and impact the texture.
Sure saves on buying granola bars from the supermarket! When baked and cooled, set the bottoms in some melted chocolate and move to rack to let excess drip off for a delicious finish!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Vivian!
I made these using chopped peanuts because I didn’t have any chips in the house. My kids loved them. Thanks for the recipe!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Ashley!
I just made these using gluten free flour and no one could tell the difference. Everyone loved them!!!! I also added 1/2 chocolate chips and half peanut butter chips to the top when it came out of the oven (so they melted) and that was the added bonus!
Thank you for this recipe.
Best granola bar recipe for my family. My kids love these bars. I have been making them every Sunday for the last few weeks and they just don’t get tired of them. It’s a must to try.
I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipe!