Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (2024)

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For a fast and filling snack — or okay, sometimes a meal — granola bars just can’t be beat. They’re portable and tasty and filling. I decided it was time to learn how to make granola bars back when my kids were in elementary school, and these are still a favorite today.

Originally published March 2014; this post has been updated.

Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (1)

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Once upon a time, when my boys were young and in Little League, we did a lot of eating on the run. The slow cooker helped us manage meals, but people were hungry during those games and seemingly never-ending practices.

Granola bars were my go-to grab and go snacks. I chose what I thought were the healthiest bars, but not long into the season I realized that 1. we were creating a lot of trash and 2. we were spending a lot of cash.

Time to learn how to make granola bars myself!

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Easy Homemade Granola Bars Recipe

The good news is, it’s not hard. It’s a simple matter of combining ingredients, pressing them into a pan, and baking. The house will smell lovely, you will have snacks, and you’ll save money.

These peanut butter granola bars, adapted from a recipe from a vintage television show called Zoom (remember THAT?), became our standby snack on busy days. Even now, my adult children will fall back on this recipe when they know they’re going to be out and about all day long and in need of sustenance.

Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (2)

Ingredients

Oats The bulk of this granola recipe comes from old fashioned rolled oats. Skip the quick oats; you want the heft of whole, rolled oats here.

Honey This recipe is lightly sweetened with honey. If you like, you could easily use maple syrup instead.

Peanut Butter Added for both flavor and a little extra protein, peanut butter helps hold the ingredients together, too. I prefer a natural peanut butter; opt for creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter. For a nut free version, try sunflower seed butter or use melted butter or coconut oil.

Eggs — Fresh eggs, store bought, use what you have readily available.

Optional Add-Ins This is where you can really customize these homemade granola bars. We typically add raisins or dried cranberries, along with mini chocolate chips and nuts. You can also add unsweetened shredded coconut.

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Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (3)

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Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (4)

Making Them

Start by mixing the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and eggs in a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine.

Transfer oat mixture to a rimmed baking pan and spread evenly. Use a spatula or your hands to press the mixture firmly into the pan.

Bake, remove from oven, and once again press the oat mixture firmly into the pan. Doing this both before and after baking the bars helps them retain their shape.

Cool, then cut into bars.

Storage

Place bars into an airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to a week.

Be sure to try these homemade granola recipes, too!

  • Easy Homemade Granola
  • Persimmon Granola
  • Pumpkin Granola

Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (5)

★ Did you make these granola bars? Don’t forget to give them a star rating below!

Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (6)

Homemade Granola Bar Recipe

Yield: 1 13"x18 pan

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Store bought granola bars are expensive and create excess waste. Make a large batch of peanut butter oatmeal granola bars for on-the-go snacking.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 8 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 cups organic raisins or cranberries
  • 2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1 cup nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Mix peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Stir salt, flour, baking powder, and oats into peanut butter mixture. Add raisins, chocolate chips, and nuts.
  3. Spread mixture into a 13"x18" baking sheet, greased or lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper.
  4. Press the mixture firmly down into the pan using a flat spatula or other tool.
  5. Bake 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and press bars again to help them hold their shape.
  6. Cool, then slice into 24 bars.

Notes

For a nut free version, try sunflower seed butter or use melted butter or coconut oil instead of the peanut butter.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 24Serving Size: 1 bar
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 330Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 5gSugar: 22gProtein: 9g

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Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What helps homemade granola bars stick together? ›

Honey – Along with the nut butter, it helps all these ingredients stick together! I love its warm amber flavor in this recipe. Vanilla extract – It amps up the bars' warm flavor.

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 granola bars at home? ›

Not only can you pick the flavors and ingredients you want, but you don't have to worry about preservatives or other odd additions to your snack food. MAKE OR BUY? Homemade granola bars aren't hard to make once you have all the right ingredients and they'll certainly save you money in the long term.

What is the best binder for granola bars? ›

When dampened, chia seeds gel and swell to several times their original size, plus they get very sticky. Since they're already used as egg alternatives in baking, it's not surprising that chia seeds act as the ideal granola binder, but it is strange that they do it better than eggs.

What is the best glue for granola bars? ›

Honey and brown sugar help make a glue for the bars.

The honey and brown sugar really helps with keeping the bars together. Chocolate chips added to the mixture help, too. We add some to the granola mixture while it is still warm.

What is used as a binder in granola bars? ›

Ground Flaxseed. Adds protein and, when combined with the wet ingredients, becomes a glue-like binding agent that helps hold the bars together. Wheat Germ. A superfood boost that adds folate, fiber, vitamin E, and other key nutrients to these no bake granola bars (as well as this Healthy Granola).

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.

Why is my homemade granola not crunchy? ›

Higher temperatures can cause ingredients like nuts, seeds, and coconut to burn before the batch has a chance to properly dry out and crisp up, Perry says. Stick with a low temperature, keep an eye on your mixture, and stir it from time to time to help it brown evenly.

Can you make granola without parchment paper? ›

Use a large sheet pan and make sure to spread the oats mixture in one single layer directly on the pan. I do not use parchment paper, I know it's easier for clean up purposes but it does not produce the same results in terms of crunch. Check the granola every few minutes during the baking time and stir to avoid burning ...

What is granola with a hint of cinnamon? ›

Kellogg's® Granola Crunchy. Indulge with the delicious Kellogg's® Granola Crunchy. It is the perfect combination of rolled oat clusters with shredded coconut and a hint of cinnamon.

What is a substitute for brown rice syrup in granola bars? ›

Fortunately, there are several substitutes for brown rice syrup that can be used in granola bars. These substitutes include maple syrup, honey, agave nectar

How long do homemade granola bars last? ›

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

Are homemade granola bars good for you? ›

These really are the perfect bar for a hearty snack because they keep you full for hours and don't provide a sugar overload. Plus, they pack in plenty of healthy fats from the almonds and peanut butter, and lots of fiber from the oats.

What binds granola bars together? ›

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.

Why is my homemade granola sticky? ›

I aim to let it hit room temperature, whatever that may be; the real point is to give it ample time to shed excess heat and steam. This should take about 45 minutes; if left out indefinitely, the granola can turn sticky or soft, so do try to put it away as soon after cooling as you can.

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