Homemade Granola Bars with Peanut Butter, Honey, and Chocolate Chips Recipe
These homemade granola bars are a simple, nutritious, and delicious snack made with creamy peanut butter, honey, oats, and a touch of chocolate and nuts. Perfect for on-the-go energy boosts or a healthy treat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 bars
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup very smooth creamy natural peanut butter or cashew butter
- ⅔ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Heaping ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 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 or cashew butter, honey, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix in dry ingredients: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the rolled oats, mini chocolate chips, and pepitas or crushed nuts until the oats and mix-ins are fully coated with the peanut butter mixture and evenly distributed.
- Form the bars: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer the granola mixture into the pan, spreading it out evenly. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to firmly press the mixture down to compact it into a solid layer.
- Chill and set: Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours or until the mixture has hardened enough to be cut into bars.
- Cut and serve: Remove from refrigerator, lift the granola slab out using the parchment paper, and cut into bars or squares of your desired size. Store granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- You can substitute the peanut butter with any creamy nut or seed butter of your choice such as almond or sunflower seed butter.
- For a nut-free version, use pepitas or seeds exclusively and avoid crushed nuts.
- Mini chocolate chips can be omitted or replaced with dried fruit for a different flavor profile.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold together better.
- Chilling time is essential for the bars to set and hold their shape when cut.