Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe

Introduction

These easy homemade peanut butter granola bars are a soft-baked, chocolate chip-loaded treat perfect for a gluten-free, healthy snack. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you might never want to buy store-bought bars again!

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

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350℉.
2. 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.
3. Step 3: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal.
4. Step 4: Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish and firmly press it into an even layer. If using chocolate chips, sprinkle them on top and press them gently into the bars.
5. Step 5: Bake for 15-17 minutes or until the center is set and edges start to brown. Begin checking at 14 minutes as ovens vary.
6. Step 6: Remove from oven and place the pan on a cooling rack.
7. Step 7: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into 16 squares with a sharp, non-serrated knife using a pressing motion rather than dragging.

Tips & Variations

• Use a nut butter with drizzly consistency to keep bars moist; for peanut-free, substitute with another nut or seed butter.
• For vegan bars, replace 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 5 tablespoons water, set for 5-10 minutes.
• If bars don’t hold well with maple syrup, try using honey instead for better binding.
• Add 1/2 cup protein powder (unflavored, vanilla, or chocolate) for extra protein and reduce oats by 1/2 cup.
• Mix in nuts, seeds, or dried fruit for added texture and flavor.

Storage

Store cooled granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to two weeks or freeze for up to three months. Reheat briefly if desired, but bars are perfect to enjoy cold.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these bars vegan?

Yes! Replace the 2 eggs with flax eggs made by mixing 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 5 tablespoons water, then letting it sit for 5-10 minutes before adding to the mix.

What if my bars don’t stick together well?

Try using honey instead of maple syrup, as honey is stickier and helps the bars bind better. Also, pressing the mixture firmly into the pan before baking is key for good structure.

Homemade Easy Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe

---

★★★★★

5 from 147 reviews

• Author: Lila
• Total Time: 19 minutes
• Yield: 16 squares 1x
• Diet: Gluten Free

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These easy homemade peanut butter granola bars are soft-baked, gluten-free, and packed with chocolate chips for a delicious healthy snack. Perfect for a quick energy boost or a grab-and-go treat, they combine oats, natural peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and eggs to create a chewy texture that you can customize with nuts, seeds, or dried fruit. Easy to prepare in under 20 minutes, these bars are ideal for those seeking a wholesome, homemade alternative to store-bought snacks.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use verified gluten-free if needed)
• 3/4 cup natural peanut butter (preferably with a drizzly consistency)
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• 2 whole eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan-friendly option)*
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Optional Add-Ins

• Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
• Walnuts, pecans, or almonds (to taste)
• Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds (to taste)
• Dried fruit (to taste)

---

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (175℃) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when the mixture is ready to bake.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, peanut butter (warmed if solid to make drizzly), honey or maple syrup, eggs (or flax eggs), and optional salt and add-ins. Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly mixed.
3. Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 9×9 inch baking dish or pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removal easier after baking.
4. Press Mixture: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Firmly press it down evenly with your hands or a spatula to compact the mixture, which helps the bars hold together well. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top if using, and press them gently into the surface.
5. Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 15-17 minutes. Begin checking at 14 minutes to avoid overbaking. The bars are done when the center is set and the edges start to brown lightly.
6. Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a cooling rack. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, which is crucial for them to set properly and be easy to cut.
7. Cut: Once cooled, use a sharp, non-serrated knife to cut the bars into 16 squares. Press the knife straight down without dragging to maintain clean edges.
8. Serve & Store: Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container for snack later. Leave a review to share your experience!

Notes

• Use nut butter with a drizzly consistency to prevent dryness; substitute another nut or seed butter if peanut-free.
• To make flax eggs (vegan alternative): mix 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed with 5 tablespoons water and let sit for 5-10 minutes before use.
• For best cuts, use a sharp, non-serrated knife and press down rather than dragging.
• Bars can be cut into 12-14 longer bars but nutrition facts correspond to 16 squares.
• If bars don’t bind well with maple syrup, honey may improve stickiness.
• Add 1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla, unflavored, or chocolate) for extra protein, reducing oats by 1/2 cup accordingly.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 14 minutes
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: peanut butter granola bars, gluten-free granola bars, healthy snack, chocolate chip granola bars, homemade granola bars, soft-baked granola bars, easy granola bars