Description
These Peanut Butter Granola Bars are a soft-baked, gluten-free snack packed with wholesome rolled oats, natural peanut butter, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. Enhanced with optional mini chocolate chips and nuts or seeds, these bars offer a deliciously chewy texture and a perfect balance of sweetness and nutty flavor. Ideal for a healthy on-the-go treat or lunchbox addition, they are easy to prepare and bake in under 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use verified gluten-free if needed)
- 3/4 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 2 whole eggs (use flax egg for vegan-friendly)
Optional Add-ins
- Pinch of salt (omit if peanut butter is salted)
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Almonds
- Chia seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Dried fruit
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350℉ (177℃) to prepare it for baking the granola bars.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, eggs, and any optional add-ins you choose. If your peanut butter is solid, warm it briefly for 10-15 seconds to make it more fluid before mixing.
- Prepare the baking dish: Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make removing the bars easier after baking.
- Press mixture in pan: Transfer the mixture into the lined baking dish and press firmly and evenly. For chocolate chips, sprinkle them on top and gently press them into the mixture for even distribution.
- Bake the bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-17 minutes or until the centers are set and edges start to brown. Begin checking at 14 minutes for your preferred doneness.
- Cool and slice: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into 16 squares with a sharp knife. Cooling ensures the bars hold together when cut.
Notes
- Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is crucial to help the bars stick together after baking.
- Cooling completely before cutting prevents the bars from crumbling.
- You can customize the bars by adding your favorite nuts, seeds, or dried fruits.
- Honey helps the bars bind better than maple syrup but both taste great.
- For vegan versions, replace eggs with flax eggs to maintain binding.
- Use gluten-free oats if you require a gluten-free snack.
- These bars make a healthy and convenient snack that can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 64 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg
