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Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe

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3.8 from 13 reviews

These Peanut Butter Granola Bars are a quick and easy homemade snack perfect for breakfast or an energy boost. Made with wholesome oats, natural peanut butter, and a touch of honey or maple syrup, these bars are chewy, slightly sweet, and customizable with optional nuts, seeds, or chocolate chips. Baked to perfection in just under 20 minutes, they offer a healthier alternative to store-bought granola bars.

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

  • 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use verified gluten-free if needed)
  • ¾ cup natural peanut butter
  • ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2 whole eggs (or flax eggs for vegan-friendly)

Optional Ingredients

  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips
  • Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
  • Walnuts, pecans, almonds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds
  • Dried fruit

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the granola bars.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, natural peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and eggs. If your peanut butter is solid, warm it briefly (10-15 seconds) to help it mix smoothly. Stir everything together until well combined. Add any optional nuts, seeds, or dried fruit, and mix again.
  3. Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9×9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, which will help you easily lift out the bars after baking.
  4. Transfer Mixture: Pour the granola mixture into the lined baking dish and spread it evenly.
  5. Press Firmly: Using your hands or the back of a spatula, press the mixture down very firmly into an even layer. This step is crucial to help the bars hold together after baking.
  6. Add Chocolate Chips: If using mini chocolate chips, sprinkle them evenly over the top and gently press them into the surface of the mixture.
  7. Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes. Begin checking at 14 minutes – the bars are done when the center is set and the edges are just beginning to brown.
  8. Cool: Remove the dish from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to firm up thoroughly.
  9. Cut and Serve: Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the granola into 16 equal squares. Serve or store as desired.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
  • For a vegan version, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg).
  • Pressing the mixture firmly before baking ensures the bars stick together well.
  • Honey helps the bars bind better than maple syrup, but both work well.
  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.
  • You can customize the bars by adding your favorite nuts, seeds, or dried fruits.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/peanut-butter-granola-bars-recipe/