One of the all time great “Eat on the Go” snacks in our home has always been the granola bar. With every flavor, variety and healthy option, typically our pantry shelves yields quite a few choices. But recently, as the price has sky rocketed on a box, plus the nutritional value typically equates to that of a candy bar, I had to pull out the big guns and go homemade.
This easy to make, homemade granola bar recipe will have you wondering why you didn’t try this simple recipe attempt long ago, especially since it whips up in less than ten minutes.
There are many recipes available and just like my homemade granola recipe, the options are endless. You can mix and match and make this as healthy as you desire, but to start you off, I am posting a basic and super easy core recipe that I first saw on Food Network, and I know the kids love it. Because honestly, who doesn’t love anything with a great mixture of peanut butter and chocolate. 🙂
Then the next recipe I will share will be with only all natural sweeteners and jam packed with healthy grains.
This picture is proof that I was trying to be a good girl and so instead of stirring in the chocolate, I just sprinkled them on top. Don’t do that. Just stir them right in and enjoy. 🙂 And those three miscellaneous M & M’s? Those are courtesy of my daughter…just because.
Now go make these yummy homemade peanut butter granola bars. Not only will you thank me, but more importantly, your budget will.
Recipe: Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Summary: These easy to make homemade peanut butter granola bars will surely become the new “Go To” snacks in your home.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup butter, melted
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup of your favorite nut or substitute (toasted slivered almonds are my choice, but sunflower seeds, wheat germ all work. )
- 1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips or M&M’s
- Often, I will mix in additional flax seeds, sunflower seeds, coconut, raisins or other healthy options.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease or spray a 7 by 10 3/4-inch nonstick baking pan with butter or cooking spray.
- For ease in clean up, removing from pan and cutting, my preference is to lay a large piece of parchment paper in the pan, allowing the extra paper to hang over the sides.
- Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg, then stir in the brown sugar, peanut butter, and honey.
- Add the melted butter, oats and nuts and any additional healthy options.
- Stir to combine, then add the chocolate chips.
- With a spatula, spread mixture into the baking pan, press down very firmly to form an even layer.
- Bake until the edge of the mixture begins to brown, approximately 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour (if you can). The harden as they stand.
- Cut into squares and serve.
- Wrap individually and put in freezer to store if you have extras.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Number of servings (yield): 12
Num num! I’ll have to try your recipe!
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Hello. Great Pics.
One question, at room temperature, how long do these roughly last for if they are zip locked with as much air taken out of the bag as possible? I am talking individually zip locked.
Thanks.
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Oh My goodness you have my stomach rumbling here early this Monday morning!!!
I am going to have to try these for sure!!!
Thank you so much for sharing it with us. I love granola, and I love chocolate, AND I LOVE peanut butter! mmmmm.mmm.mm.
Now I have to find something to snack on! (doh)
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Read this post and love that it is all standard pantry supplies. I just whipped up a batch for my kids afterschool snack today. Cant wait to play with the recipe to try different add-ins and mix things up!
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Mmmmm…just made these! I think that they are super yummy! The hubs said too much peanut butter for him but the chocolate chips help out. I did sunflower seeds (because that’s what was on the counter) and added a little ground flax seed. Thanks for the recipe!
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Jen Reply:
May 14th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
That is the great thing about this recipe. If he likes less peanut butter, just reduce the amount and add in some more of the healthy stuff. 😉
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just made these- delish! We eat a lot of granola bars too, and with 5 kids, it just gets too costly! I am going to be making these often. Thanks for sharing!
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I know this is an old post, but these were very good. Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
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Jen Reply:
May 6th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
So glad you enjoyed them. 🙂
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Just a head’s up: Step 5 says to add brown sugar twice. Deductive reasoning tells me that the second one should say peanut butter instead, but just thought you might like to know. These sound tasty; I hope to try them out for my two-year-old soon!
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Jen Reply:
August 16th, 2013 at 11:12 am
Another reason, I need an editor. 🙂
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Great recipe. I love that it is able to be mixed up and changed each time according to what healthy options I have in the cupboard. I’ve made twice substituting the butter with melted coconut oil. I’ve also added flax seed, cinnamon and vanilla. Next time I’ll be more adventurous….as long as the kids see chocolate chips and taste some peanut butter, I can hide lots of nutritious stuff.
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Is it possible to fore go the brown sugar? I find refined sugar makes me sick.
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Jen Reply:
June 28th, 2016 at 3:41 pm
I would think you could add a little honey instead for sweetener.
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