No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars

These No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars are the perfect snack for busy days, offering a delightful combination of chewy, crunchy, and nutty flavors in every bite.

Made with wholesome ingredients, they’re a great grab-and-go treat for breakfasts, lunchboxes, or post-workout energy boosts. Quick to prepare and endlessly customizable, these granola bars are a healthier alternative to store-bought options!

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Saucepan
• Spatula
• 8×8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

• 2 cups (200g) rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (125g) creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup (60ml) honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (75g) mini chocolate chips (optional)
• 1/4 cup (35g) chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, peanuts, or walnuts)
• 1/4 cup (30g) dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)

Directions

1. Line the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips if using. Set aside.
3. Heat Wet Ingredients: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and brown sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Combine: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix thoroughly until all the oats are coated.
5. Press Into Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly and evenly with the back of a spatula or your hands.
6. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the bars are firm.
7. Slice: Once chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into squares or rectangles.

Prep Time

15 minutes

Chill Time

1 hour

Total Time

1 hour 15 minutes

Nutrition (Per Bar, Approx.)

• Calories: 180
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fat: 9g
• Fiber: 2g

Expert Tips

• Pack Tightly: Press the mixture firmly into the pan to help the bars hold their shape.
• Room Temperature Cutting: If the bars are too firm, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before slicing.
• Add Variety: Mix in seeds like chia or flax for added nutrition.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the texture will be softer and less chewy.

What can I substitute for peanut butter?
Almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter work well as substitutes.

Can I skip the brown sugar?
You can replace it with an extra tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for a natural sweetener.

How long do these bars stay fresh?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, these bars stay fresh for up to 1 week.

Storing & Reheating

• Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the fridge to keep them firm.
• Freezing: Freeze individual bars wrapped in parchment paper for up to 3 months.

Substitutions & Variations

• Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter and omit nuts for a school-safe snack.
• Chocolate Drizzle: Melt chocolate and drizzle it on top for a decadent touch.
• Spicy Twist: Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm flavor.

No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars

These No Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars are the perfect snack for busy days, offering a delightful combination of chewy, crunchy, and nutty flavors in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• - Saucepan
• Spatula
• - 8x8-inch baking pan
• Parchment paper

Ingredients

  

• - 2 cups 200g rolled oats
• - 1/2 cup 125g creamy peanut butter
• - 1/4 cup 60ml honey or maple syrup
• - 1/4 cup 50g brown sugar
• - 1 tsp vanilla extract
• - 1/2 cup 75g mini chocolate chips (optional)
• - 1/4 cup 35g chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, peanuts, or walnuts)
• - 1/4 cup 30g dried fruit (e.g., raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots)

Instructions

 

• **Line the Pan:** Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
• **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, chopped nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips if using. Set aside.
• **Heat Wet Ingredients:** In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and brown sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
• **Combine:** Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to mix thoroughly until all the oats are coated.
• **Press Into Pan:** Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly and evenly with the back of a spatula or your hands.
• **Chill:** Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until the bars are firm.
• **Slice:** Once chilled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into squares or rectangles.