Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Honey
These chewy peanut butter granola bars with honey are a quick, easy, and delicious homemade snack made from simple pantry staples. They offer a perfect balance of nutty warmth and floral sweetness, ideal for on-the-go snacking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups (about 180 grams) rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
- 1 cup (250 grams) natural peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- ½ cup (120 ml) honey (raw or regular)
- ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts) or ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
- Toast the oats by spreading 2 cups (180 grams) of rolled oats on a baking sheet and baking for 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir together 1 cup (250 grams) natural peanut butter, ½ cup (120 ml) honey, ¼ cup (50 grams) brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon salt until smooth and fully combined.
- Carefully fold the warm toasted oats into the peanut butter mixture to help absorb the sticky mixture and create chewiness.
- If using, fold in ½ cup chopped nuts or mini chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press down firmly and evenly using parchment paper or the back of a spatula to keep the bars together.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Avoid overbaking to keep bars chewy.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift the slab out and cut into bars.
- If bars feel too soft when cutting, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to firm up.
Notes
Toast the oats to enhance flavor and texture. Press the mixture firmly into the pan to prevent crumbling. Cool bars completely before slicing to avoid crumbly edges. For vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup and use vegan peanut butter. Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/12 of batch
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 10
- Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: peanut butter granola bars, chewy granola bars, homemade snack, peanut butter snack, honey granola bars, easy granola bars, healthy snack