Never buy store-bought granola bars again! These Peanut Butter Granola Bars are made with creamy peanut butter, chocolate, and old-fashioned oats. They are the perfect snack, delicious and fun for the whole family!
What’s in this Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe?
Filled with both peanut butter and chocolate flavor, these homemade granola bars are the perfect snack!
- Brown Sugar: Sweetens the granola bars.
- Honey: Helps the ingredients stick together.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness to the bars.
- Coconut Oil: Helps the bars set up in the refrigerator.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds rich peanutty flavor.
- Oats: I used old-fashioned oats because I prefer the texture, but quick-cook oats will work too!
- Peanuts: I used roasted, salted peanuts but use whatever you have on hand.
- Dark Chocolate: The perfect topping for these bars.
Pro Tip: Make sure to use honey — unfortunately, this recipe doesn’t work with maple syrup.
Variations on a Peanut Butter Granola Bar
- Swap in your favorite nut butter and nuts, such as almond, cashew, or pecan butter.
- For nut-free granola bars, swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter, tahini, or pumpkin seed butter, and swap the peanuts for sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- For chocolatier granola bars, add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the bars.
- For high-protein granola bars, substitute ½ cup of protein powder in place of ½ cup of the oats.
- Add your favorite mix-ins, such as dried fruits, coconut flakes, chopped candy bars, or M&M’s.
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These granola bars are naturally gluten-free; however, make sure you use certified gluten-free oats if you have a gluten allergy!
If you don’t like peanut butter or have an allergy, you can use a different nut or seed butter, such as almond or sunflower butter, and replace the peanuts with a different nut or seed!
Honey is the key ingredient for helping all of the components of these bars stick together.
It’s best to put these granola bars in the fridge to keep them fresh and flavorful. If you leave them out, the chocolate may begin to melt and the granola bars could start to get stale.
How to Store
Store leftover peanut butter granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Enjoy cold or at room temperature.
How to Freeze
Freeze cut peanut butter granola bars tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil or stacked with parchment paper between them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw on the countertop or reheat gently for a few seconds in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
These peanut butter chocolate granola bars are the perfect portable, easy snack. Keep them in Ziploc bags fresh in the refrigerator or freezer, so you can grab them and go whenever you want! Make for family events, friend gatherings, or just to help you through the week!
Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar light or dark
- ⅓ cup honey
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (½ stick)
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil divided
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- ¾ cup peanuts divided
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Flake salt optional, for garnish
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 8×8 Baking Pan
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 or 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a large saucepan set over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, honey, butter, and coconut oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the butter and melted.½ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup honey, 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- Add the peanut butter and whisk to combine— the mixture will thicken slightly.½ cup creamy peanut butter
- Once the peanut butter is combined, add the oats and ½ cup of peanuts. Stir to combine.2 cups old-fashioned oats, ¾ cup peanuts
- Transfer the granola to the baking dish and sprinkle over the remaining ¼ cup of peanuts.
- Press the mixture into the pan, making sure to pack it tightly— you don’t want your granola bars to fall apart! Be careful, the mixture will be hot!
- Transfer the bars to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Once the bars have cooled, combine the chocolate and remaining two tablespoons of coconut oil in a small bowl. Microwave until melted, stirring every 30 seconds.1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Slice the bars and drizzle the chocolate over them. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired. Transfer the bars to the fridge to set for at least 30 minutes.Flake salt
Notes
- You can use quick oats in place of the old-fashioned oats.
- Swap in your favorite nut butter and nuts, such as almond, cashew, or pecan butter.
- For nut-free granola bars, swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter, tahini, or pumpkin seed butter and swap the peanuts for sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
- For chocolatier granola bars, add 2-3 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the bars.
- For high-protein granola bars, substitute ½ cup of protein powder in place of ½ cup of the oats.
- Add your favorite mix-ins, such as dried fruits, coconut flakes, chopped candy bars, or M&M’s.
- Make sure you use honey in these bars; unfortunately, maple syrup will not work!
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the oats in a single layer in a 350°F for about 10 minutes.
- Don’t skip chilling these bars; chilling helps them hold together and keeps the chocolate from melting.
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