Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars are sweet, salty crunchy bars made with oats, seeds, dried fruit, and spices for a healthy snack on the go. Learn how to make baked granola bars or no bake chocolate peanut butter granola bars with this easy-to-follow recipe!
For more healthy snack recipes try our Blueberry Baked Oatmeal and Birthday Cake Bliss Balls recipe next.
Skip the store bought because these homemade chocolate peanut butter granola bars are absolutely delicious. They are made with simple ingredients you can actually pronounce, making them much better than comparable store-bought granola bars. Enjoy this naturally sweetened treat with breakfast or as a mid-day snack.
Why This is the Best Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe
- Made for Convenience: Make these ahead for a grab-and-go snack that you can enjoy at work, school, or anywhere!
- Totally Customizable: Customize these to your liking, with nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or any flavors you’d like.
- Easy to Make: You are just a few simple instructions from the best granola bars ever!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars Ingredients
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Sweet and creamy peanut butter acts as a binder. Use all-natural peanut butter to avoid refined sugars and preservatives (one that has just peanuts and salt listed as ingredients is ideal).
- Honey or maple syrup: For vegan chocolate peanut butter granola bars, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Coconut Oil: Melted.
- Vanilla Extract: This enhances the overall flavor.
- Old Fashioned Oats: These make granola bars chewy and add fiber.
- Chopped Nuts or Seeds: Almonds, pecans, hemp seeds, chia seeds
- Cinnamon: This adds a warm spiced quality.
- Salt: This makes the other flavors pop.
- Mini Dark Chocolate Chips: This pairs so well with peanut butter.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). (Skip this step for a chewy no-bake version.)
Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Mix it together until all the ingredients are combined and smooth.
Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine
Then, in a separate bowl, mix together the oats, pecans, salt, cinnamon, chocolate chips and any other add-ins you want. Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
Bake and Chill
Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Bake for 20 minutes then chill in the fridge until completely cooled. If you want chewy granola bars then skip the baking step and let them chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
Slice Bars
Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the granola out of the dish. Cut into bars of your desired size. Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or keep them in the fridge for a firmer texture.
Pro Tips
- Tightly pack the granola bar mixture into the pan to help them stick together.
- Try to use a creamy and runny peanut butter for easier mixing.
- Do not skip the cooling step. This is what solidifies the bars.
- Do not slice the bars until they are completely cooled. Try not to drag the knife when slicing. Instead, press down into the mixture to cut them into bars.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Instead of peanut butter, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter.
- Consider adding other ingredients like raisins, dried cranberries, dried apricots, or coconut flakes.
- For extra protein, add a scoop of protein powder.
Can Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars Be Made Ahead?
These peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars are the perfect make ahead snack. See below for storing instructions.
Storing Leftovers
Store chocolate peanut butter granola bars in an airtight container. Place parchment paper between each bar so they don’t stick together. Then place them in the fridge for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months.
Common Questions
Are granola bars gluten-free?
The granola bars can be gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats and check that all other ingredients, like nuts, dried fruits, seeds, and any optional add-ins (like chocolate chips), are also gluten-free. Regular oats may be cross-contaminated with gluten during processing, so it’s important to choose oats specifically labeled as gluten-free.
Are Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars healthy?
This recipe is healthy because its packed with fiber, minerals, and antixoidants. It is vegan, gluten-free, and has no refined sugars.
How do you make granola bars stick together?
You need a good ratio of dry to wet ingredients. Ensure the mixture is packed tightly baking and do not skip the chilling process.
More Healthy Snacks:
Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Almond Butter Berry Yogurt Bark
DID YOU MAKE THESE GRANOLA BARS?
Don’t forget to leave a ★ star rating and comment below to let us know what you think. We’d love to hear about your experience and any creative variations you’ve come up with.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1/3 cup Maple Syrup or more for sweetness
- 3 tbsp Coconut Oil melted
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2 1/2 cup Rolled Oats
- 1/3 cup Chopped pecans
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- pinch Salt
- ⅓ cup Mini Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1/4 cup Nutritional Booster
Melted Chocolate Drizzle
- ¼ cup Mini Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1 tsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). (Skip this step for a chewy no-bake version.)
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Mix it together until all the ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Mix the dry ingredients: Then, in a separate bowl, mix together the oats, pecans, salt, cinnamon, chocolate chips and any other add-ins you want.
- Combine the ingredients: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- Bake and Chill: Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Bake for 20 minutes then chill in the fridge until completely cooled. If you want chewy granola bars then skip the baking step and let them chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into Bars: Once set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the granola out of the dish. Cut into bars of your desired size. Store the granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or keep them in the fridge for a firmer texture.
