Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (2024)

April 9, 2013

posted by Marina Delio | 31 Comments

This easy, healthy, no-bake peanut granola bar recipe comes together in a snap! These granola bars are easy to make vegan and gluten free.

Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (1)

Remember when I made those peanut butter krispie treats? My family and I were pretty much obsessed with those. And they were so easy that I started thinking I should replace some of the crisp cereal with oats and make granola bars. And I am SO glad I did – these bars are much healthier AND tastier than the store-bought version and take just 5 minutes to mix up! They lasted 1 day in our house and I put half bars in the girls’ lunch boxes. Our whole family loved these – they’re a must try.To cut down on sugar I used sugar free maple syrup. I found a few more natural varieties at Whole Foods and went with one sweetened with Xylitol, which is one of the few sweeteners I’m okay with and has the added bonus of preventing cavities. You can use honey, agave, or regular maple syrup for these if you prefer. I threw some Chia seeds on top for added nutrition, but some people worry about raw chia seeds expanding between teeth or getting stuck in gums. If you’re concerned about that, I would recommend using hemp or flax seed instead.

This easy granola bar recipe is a terrific lunch box treat. If your school is nut-free, try using sunflower seed butter. I also love these peanut butter granola bars as an on-the-go breakfast snack or for when I’m craving a little bite of something sweet. This recipe is so easy that I almost always have all the ingredients in my pantry, and it’s a great recipe for kids to help make. You’ll see some little helping hands in my video below.

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Updated August 13, 2017. The original recipe can still be found here:printer friendly recipe.

I have increased the peanut butter and coconut oil to make the bars less crumbly, and increased the set time.

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Don’t forget – signed copies of the Yummy Mummy Kitchen cookbook are on sale today at Zulilyalong with other fun family cookbooks!

UPDATE #2 August 15, 2007!

Some of you requested this recipe without the coconut oil, so I have removed it and increased the peanut butter and maple syrup. I have also replaced with chia seeds with hemp hearts and flax meal. The bars are now much less crumbly and I think these little tweaks are a big improvement. I hope you love them too.

Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (5)

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Yield: about 10 barsAuthor: yummy mummy kitchenPrint Recipe

Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (6)

Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe

This easy granola bar recipe requires just a few simple ingredients. These granola bars are a lunch box favorite.

prep time: 5 MINScook time: 1 hourtotal time: 1 hours and 5 mins

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (or sun butter for nut-free)
  • pinch of salt if using unsalted peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups gluten-free oats
  • 1 cup gluten-free brown rice crisp cereal
  • 1 heaping tablespoon flax meal
  • 2 tablespoons hemp hearts
  • 1/3 cup vegan, gluten-free chocolate chips, such as Enjoy Life

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the peanut butter, salt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
  2. In a medium bowl, stir together oats, cereal, flax meal and hemp hearts. Add the wet peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula until combined. Mixture should hold together when pressed into a ball. If it is too dry, add a little more syrup until the mixture sticks together.
  3. Press oat mixture firmly into the prepared dish. I use a ramekin coated with cooking spray. If topping with chocolate, place chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Heat at 30 second intervals, stirring between, until melted. Drizzle over bars by dipping a fork into the chocolate. Place in the refrigerator or freezer until set, about 1 hour. Cut into bars. Store granola bars in the refrigerator, covered. These bars do tend to get crumbly at room temperature and are best eaten cold.

https://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2013/04/easy-no-bake-granola-bars-vegan-gluten.html

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Dessert Gluten Free snacks sugar free dessert Vegan

posted April 9, 2013 by Marina Delio

31 Comments//Leave a Comment »

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31 comments on “Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe”

  1. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar April 9, 2013 @ 3:48 pm Reply

    I adore this recipe! So simple and tasty looking 🙂

  2. Laura (Tutti Dolci) April 9, 2013 @ 4:01 pm Reply

    These bars look so delicious, perfect for an afternoon snack!

  3. Jess April 9, 2013 @ 4:12 pm Reply

    This looks amazing!

    I would love for you to join my Link Up this week!

    http://www.pluckys-secondthought.com/pluckys-link-up-4/

  4. Jamie April 9, 2013 @ 5:19 pm Reply

    My kids would love these! And so simple!

  5. progressoverperfectionblog.com April 9, 2013 @ 6:06 pm Reply

    There is not enough time in the day and room in my stomach to try all your amazing recipes, Marina! I've been cooking from your cookbook all week long and I'm LOVING it. So is my family. Best part is, it's guilt free! Those interested can check out my faves so far on my blog, progressoverperfectionblog.com. Seriously, buy the book… it's great. 🙂

    Congratulations, Marina! You must be on Cloud Nine!

  6. Kelly | Eat Yourself Skinny April 9, 2013 @ 6:18 pm Reply

    They look absolutely delicious Marina!!!

  7. Alejandra April 9, 2013 @ 6:59 pm Reply

    I love this idea!

  8. Montalvo Country April 9, 2013 @ 7:03 pm Reply

    Making these tonight for our road trip !! 😀

  9. Danielle F April 9, 2013 @ 8:34 pm Reply

    Looks delicious- love that you cut back on sugar using sugar free syrup!

  10. These bars look delicious.. and no bake too.. perfect!!

  11. Nickie H April 10, 2013 @ 6:26 pm Reply

    I just found your website and I am LOVING all of these healthy and tasty foods. These bars look amazing and you can't beat no-bake.

    By the way I featured your Coconut Macadamia Nut Banana Muffins recipe on my Top 15 Healthiest Tasty Treats list. If you want a badge for your site or just to check it out feel free to look at it out here: http://nickieslittlebubble.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-top-15-healthies-tasty-treats.html Have a good day!

  12. sara April 10, 2013 @ 8:52 pm Reply

    just made these for my boys, they are super easy and delicious.
    I noticed a typo for melting the chocolate, I think you meant 30 sec intervals!

  13. Marina Delio April 10, 2013 @ 8:59 pm Reply

    Aaaah! I hope no one thought I really meant 30 minute!!! Thank you!

  14. Jackie April 11, 2013 @ 5:00 pm Reply

    Hi, What could I use in place of the nut butter as I am allergic? Thanks!

  15. Marina Delio April 11, 2013 @ 6:45 pm Reply

    Seed butter would be great. There are several varieties of no-nut butters right next to the peanut butters at Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and other natural food stores.

  16. Bree {Skinny Mommy} April 11, 2013 @ 7:58 pm Reply

    Do you know how excited I am about this recipe? I have been going through three boxes of cliff bars a week! This looks great!

  17. Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen April 14, 2013 @ 12:03 am Reply

    How could any kid resist these?! Especially with that final chocolate drizzle.

  18. Connor Harley April 17, 2013 @ 8:23 am Reply

    This is one healthy and easy to make recipe that the kids will surely be thrilled to get a bite. I'll surely try this one over the weekend.

  19. Marion Green April 17, 2013 @ 3:58 pm Reply

    I will definitely have to try these Marina. We are doing more gluten-free eating at home these days…so this is perfect!
    BTW, I haven't had a chance to tell you congratulations on the book! So excited to get my hands on it!!
    xo – Marion

  20. Heather Allard April 17, 2013 @ 8:50 pm Reply

    One of my kids has a peanut/tree nut allergy and is sensitive to sun-butter as well – are there any peanut/tree nut/seed free alternatives to the half cup of peanut/tree nut/seed butter in this recipe that you can recommend?

    Thanks so much!
    Heather

  21. Marina Delio April 17, 2013 @ 9:31 pm Reply

    Hi Heather,

    You could try coconut butter unless coconut is also problematic. Or you could try smashed banana to hold everything together the way the peanut butter does. Because I haven't tried it, I'm not sure how this mixture would hold together without the butter, however, it may hold together just fine if you add a little more syrup, honey, or agave syrup.

  22. gg April 21, 2013 @ 1:33 am Reply

    Hi Marina,

    I just made these bars and they are delicious. I have been trying to cut out processed foods and love making these bars and the peanut butter chia cookies for my kids (and myself). Do you know the fat and calorie content per bar? I want to make sure we don't get to carried away with our sweet tooth!
    Thank you!
    Gina

  23. Marina Delio April 22, 2013 @ 3:53 am Reply

    Hi Gina! I haven't calculated nutrition facts for these yet. I know what you mean about getting carried away though 🙂 I tend to do that sometimes.

    I usually use the calculator here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator

    I am just not sure if I will have time to do it this week for this recipe. Sorry about that!

  24. gg April 23, 2013 @ 5:47 pm Reply

    No worries and thank you for the wonderful recipes! I am making more peanut butter chia cookies this moment!

  25. Gourmet Creations April 28, 2013 @ 1:53 am Reply

    YUMMY!

  26. janelle May 22, 2013 @ 3:28 am Reply

    these are spectacular. you are quickly becoming my go-to blogger for yumminess :).

  27. Anonymous May 26, 2013 @ 2:40 am Reply

    These are delicious! Mine were a little crumbly when I cut into them and I notice they are very ooey gooey, but yours look a little more dry. I think I would prefer them a little less gooey when serving to guests. Any tips, do you sometimes add more dry ingredients and should I press a bit before letting it settle?

  28. Marina Delio May 27, 2013 @ 1:13 am Reply

    Hi and thanks!

    I would try starting with less of the agave/syrup/etc that you are using or add a little more oats or cereal until it's the consistency you like. It could be differences in peanut butter as well.

    I kept my bars refrigerated. Were yours room temp? If so that could make them gooey 🙂 I hope that helps.

    Oh, and yes, it I did press the mixture down with the back of a measuring cup.

  29. Pingback: Μπάρες Δημητριακών Granola Φυστικοβούτυρο & κομματάκια σοκολάτας

  30. Pingback: Μπάρες Δημητριακών Granola Φυστικοβούτυρο & κομματάκια σοκολάτας

  31. john October 27, 2021 @ 10:42 am Reply

    awesome recipe! thanks!! 🙂

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Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make homemade granola bars stick together? ›

While there are several different sticky ingredients that you can use, we've found that the binding agent that works the best is honey! When added to your homemade granola bars, honey acts as glue that sticks all the pieces together.

How do you get homemade granola to stick together? ›

There are other ways to achieve clumpier granola. You can add more fat (in the form of butter or oil). If you're shooting for a somewhat healthy result, you can add some other binder, like an egg white or applesauce.

How do you keep granola bars from falling apart? ›

If your granola bars are falling apart or seem too crumbly, here are a few tips. Make sure you use honey or another sticky sweetener such as maple syrup in the liquid part of the recipe; this recipe calls for honey. This will help bind together the ingredients and keep that signature bar shape.

Should you soak oats before making granola bars? ›

Fill the bowl up with water to completely cover the mixture – enough that you can stir to combine. This soaking process will help the oats and seeds digest better. After the oat/seed mixture has soaked 8-12 hours, add the rest of the ingredients and combine.

What ingredient makes granola stick together? ›

Add an egg white.

The whites act as a kind of glue that binds the ingredients together. To ensure that the egg whites coat all the ingredients, I beat them with a whisk until foamy and increased in volume, which makes it much easier to fold into the granola.

Is it cheaper to make your own granola bars? ›

They save well (wrap and freeze them for up to two months), are more affordable than store-bought bars, and don't contain the long list of unpronounceable ingredients. Plus, your kitchen will smell like a bakery while these granola bars bake. Ahhhh.

What is the best binder for granola bars? ›

Honey. Sweetens the granola bars and helps bind the dry ingredients together.

What can I use to bind granola bars? ›

Honey or maple syrup

These natural sweeteners also help bind the bars together, and make these bars deliciously sweet (though not too sweet). Or, make date paste from fresh Medjool dates. Dates offer additional fiber, while honey or maple syrup do not.

What can I use as glue for granola bars? ›

While the oats and nuts bake, you can make the sticky glue that holds our bars together. You'll melt butter, honey, and brown sugar in a saucepan and simmer until the sugar dissolves. Mix this sticky mixture with the toasted oats and nuts.

Why is my homemade granola not sticking together? ›

Make sure that whichever granola recipe you use, it calls for some liquid, typically oil of some kind (I recommend olive oil for a subtle earthy, floral flavor, or melted unrefined coconut oil for subtly coconutty flavor). The liquid will help the chia seeds to gel, ensuring the granola sticks together.

What do you wrap homemade granola bars in? ›

These bars will soften at room temperature so keep them in the fridge, or wrap in parchment paper or saran wrap and freeze individually. However you eat them them, I hope you love these homemade chewy granola bars!

How do you increase the shelf life of granola bars? ›

To keep your granola bars fresh, you must allow the least amount of air possible to reach the bars. Because air (and warmth) can easily cause spoilage, sealing your granola bars in an airtight container or wrapping them in wax paper is a great way to keep them fresh for longer.

Is it better to boil or soak oats? ›

Soaking not only softens the oats, but it also makes them more tender, quicker to cook, and easier to digest. In a side-by-side comparison, we found that unsoaked oats lacked that fluffy, creamy texture soaked oats provide. So, from here on out, we'll be soaking. Once they're soaked, it's time to cook.

Why do you rinse soaked oats? ›

Gently rinsing soaked oats not only helps them to be less “pasty” in texture, but also helps to reduce any sour flavor that may develop as a result of the soaking process.

How long must you soak oats for? ›

To prepare overnight oats, simply put porridge oats in a container, fill them with water, your choice of milk or yoghurt, and place them in the fridge. Remember to always soak the oats for at least 12 hours, but 24 hours is better. Adding toppings of your choice and there you have your overnight oats!

How do you wrap individual granola bars? ›

Cut into desired size and put each into a bag. Roll up the bag and tape! Store in fridge. My review: Ours tasted great but were a bit crumbly, which is why I'd follow another recipe like the one I linked above.

How do you tamp granola? ›

Get as clumpy as you like.

First, press the granola into an even layer before you put it in the oven. Then, stir it only once halfway through cooking. For really good clumps, press down on the finished granola before it cools and avoid jostling it on the pan until cooled completely.

Are homemade granola bars shelf stable? ›

In general, most homemade granola bar recipes will last up to a week when stored in an airtight container.

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