Description
These Homemade Granola Bars are a simple, wholesome snack made with creamy natural peanut butter, honey, oats, and a touch of vanilla. Perfectly chewy with a hint of saltiness and a bit of chocolate and crunch from pepitas or nuts, they make a delicious and nutritious on-the-go treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup very smooth creamy natural peanut butter or cashew butter
- ⅔ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Heaping ½ teaspoon sea salt
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups whole rolled oats
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons pepitas, or crushed peanuts or cashews
Instructions
- Prepare the wet mixture: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Stir consistently until the mixture is smooth and well combined, ensuring the honey is fully incorporated.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, mini chocolate chips, and pepitas or chosen nuts. Stir them to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
- Combine wet and dry: Pour the warm peanut butter and honey mixture over the oat mixture. Stir thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are coated evenly with the sticky mixture.
- Press into pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Transfer the granola mixture into the pan, pressing firmly and evenly with the back of a spatula or your hands to compact the bars.
- Chill to set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until the bars are firm and set.
- Cut and serve: Remove the chilled mixture from the pan and peel back the parchment paper. Cut into bars or squares of your preferred size. Store the bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
Notes
- Use very smooth natural nut butters to help the bars bind well together.
- Feel free to swap pepitas with crushed peanuts, cashews, or any seeds of your choice.
- To make the bars vegan, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar.
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the amount of honey slightly.
- These bars are best stored refrigerated to maintain firmness.
Keywords: homemade granola bars, peanut butter granola bars, healthy snack, no-bake granola bars, easy granola bars