Introduction

These homemade easy peanut butter granola bars are a delicious and nutritious snack perfect for busy days. They combine wholesome oats with natural peanut butter and honey for a chewy, satisfying treat. Optional chocolate chips and nuts add extra flavor and texture.

Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use verified gluten-free, if needed)
3/4 cup natural peanut butter*
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
2 whole eggs (use flax egg for vegan-friendly**)
Optional add-ins: pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted), walnuts, pecans, almonds, chia, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds, or dried fruit

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350℉.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. If your peanut butter is solid at room temperature, heat it for 10-15 seconds to make it more drizzly before adding.
Step 3: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish or pan with parchment paper to make removal easier.
Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the dish. If using chocolate chips, sprinkle on top and press them down gently.
Step 5: Bake for 15-17 minutes until the center is set and edges start to brown. Begin checking at 14 minutes as ovens vary.
Step 6: Remove from oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Let bars cool completely before cutting.
Step 7: Cut into 16 squares with a sharp, non-serrated knife by pressing down rather than dragging.

Tips & Variations

Use a nut butter with a drizzly consistency to avoid dry bars. Substitute seed butter for a peanut-free version.
For a vegan version, replace 2 eggs with flax eggs made by mixing 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 5 tablespoons water, allowing it to set 5-10 minutes.
If bars don’t stick well using maple syrup, try honey for better binding.
Add 1/2 cup protein powder (unflavored, vanilla, or chocolate) and reduce oats by 1/2 cup for extra protein.

Storage

Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, freeze bars wrapped in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, use certified gluten-free oats to ensure the bars are gluten-free.

How should I cut the granola bars to avoid crumbling?

Use a sharp, non-serrated knife and press straight down to cut, rather than dragging the knife across the bars. Letting the bars cool completely also helps prevent crumbling.

Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe

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These homemade easy peanut butter granola bars are a delicious and nutritious snack made with rolled oats, natural peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and optional add-ins like chocolate chips and nuts. Perfectly baked to a chewy texture, these bars are versatile, gluten-free, and can be adapted for vegan diets using flax eggs.

Author: Bella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use verified gluten-free, if needed)
3/4 cup natural peanut butter*
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
2 whole eggs (use flax eggs for vegan-friendly**)

Optional Ingredients

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
Optional add-ins: walnuts, pecans, almonds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or dried fruit

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, natural peanut butter (warmed slightly if solid), honey or maple syrup, eggs (or flax eggs), and optional ingredients such as chocolate chips and nuts. Mix thoroughly to get an even consistency.
Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish or pan with parchment paper. This step is crucial to easily remove the bars after baking.
Press Mixture: Transfer the mixture into the lined baking dish. Firmly press the mixture into an even layer; pressing firmly helps the bars hold together better. If using chocolate chips, sprinkle them on top and press them into the surface.
Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15-17 minutes. Begin checking at 14 minutes to avoid overbaking; the bars are ready when the center is set and edges start to brown.
Cool Completely: Remove from oven and set the pan on a cooling rack. Let the bars cool fully before cutting to ensure they hold their shape well.
Cut Bars: Using a sharp, non-serrated knife, cut the bars into 16 squares by pressing the knife straight down; avoid dragging the blade to maintain bar integrity.
Serve and Enjoy: Your peanut butter granola bars are ready to enjoy! For best texture, store them in an airtight container.

Notes

Use a nut butter with a drizzly consistency to prevent bars from becoming dry. For peanut-free versions, substitute with other nut or seed butters.
For vegan substitution, replace the 2 whole eggs with 2 flax eggs made by mixing 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 5 tablespoons water, letting it set for 5-10 minutes before adding.
Cut bars using a sharp, non-serrated knife without dragging to avoid tearing the bars.
Bars can be cut into 12-14 longer bars if preferred, but nutritional information is based on 16 squares.
If bars don’t bind well with maple syrup, try using honey for better stickiness.
Add 1/2 cup protein powder (unflavored, vanilla, or chocolate) for extra protein, reducing oats by 1/2 cup accordingly.

Keywords: peanut butter granola bars, homemade granola bars, healthy snack, gluten-free snack, easy granola bars, baked granola bars, vegan granola bars