Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Posted Aug 17, 2025

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These peanut butter granola bars are easy to make with simple ingredients in 10 minutes, and are even more delicious than store-bought varieties!

4 Peanut Butter Granola Bars on parchment paper, one with peanut butter drizzle on top

Peanut butter granola bars are a seriously nostalgic snack – especially for millennials (like yours truly). 😉

This homemade version is reminiscent of the store-bought childhood treats we all know and love, but are even more delicious. I made sure to include chopped up peanut butter chips – because those are the best part.

These peanut butter granola bars are made with whole food ingredients and are a hearty and nutritious snack your kids (and you) will love!

a stack of 2 peanut butter granola bars on parchment paper with peanut butter chips

Peanut Butter Granola Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Peanut Butter Granola Bars recipe

Salted butter. unsalted butter works well.
Honey. maple syrup can be used in place of honey, however it will (obviously) impart a maple flavor and won’t taste as authentic as using honey would.
Light brown sugar. coconut sugar is a good, unrefined, substitute.
Creamy peanut butter. I suggest using peanut butter that is solid at room temperature.
Quick cooking oats. For the best texture, do not substitute quick-cooking oats. To make them at home, put 2 ½ cups old-fashioned oats in a food processor or blender and pulse 2-4 times until the oats are cut into small pieces.
Peanut butter chips. choose your favorite variety. If you can find mini peanut butter chips, then you won’t have to chop them! Or, try these Lily’s peanut butter chips.

peanut butter granola bar with a peanut butter drizzle on top on parchment paper surrounded by peanut butter chips and other peanut butter granola bars

How to Make Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Let’s walk through this recipe together, and don’t forget to watch the video!

Begin by lining an 8×8” pan with parchment paper.

an 8 inch square pan lined with parchment paper

Then, warm the butter, honey, brown sugar and sea salt over medium-low heat until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - butter, honey, brown sugar and salt in a pot before melting

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - melted butter/sugar mixture in a pot

Once the mixture is smooth, whisk or stir in peanut butter and vanilla extract.

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - peanut butter and vanilla added to butter mixture

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - wet ingredients being stirred in a pot with a blue spatula

Then, stir in quick cooking oats and cinnamon (which is optional). I prefer them without cinnamon most of the time because it gives them a more authentic “chewy granola bar” flavor.

Let the mixture cool slightly – this will prevent the peanut butter chips from melting when they are added.

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - oats and cinnamon added before stirring

Peanut Butter Granola Bars mixture in a pot with a spatula

While the peanut butter granola bar mixture is cooling, chop the peanut butter chips into smaller pieces.

Then, stir the chips into the slightly cooled granola bar mixture.

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - chopped peanut butter chips added before stirring

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - final mixture in a pot with a spatula

Next, gently press the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.

At this point, if you want to add a peanut butter drizzle, melt the peanut butter and drizzle it over the bars.

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - pressing granola bar mixture into the prepared pan

making Peanut Butter Granola Bars - bars pressed into the pan with a blue spatula

Then, cover the peanut butter granola bars with plastic wrap and let them cool in the refrigerator until completely chilled.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars in the pan covered with plastic wrap

Then, remove the bars from the pan, put them on a cutting board and cut into 8 or 16 pieces.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars cut into 8 rectangles on parchment paper surrounded by peanut butter chips and oats

Serve

Serve the peanut butter granola bars slightly chilled or at room temperature with your favorite snack recipes. They also make a great on-the-go breakfast for busy mornings.

6 Peanut Butter Granola Bars, two turned to the side so the texture is visible on parchment paper with peanut butter chips

Store/Freeze

Store these peanut butter granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature – do not microwave.

close up of a Peanut Butter Granola Bar with a bite taken out of it and a peanut butter drizzle on top on parchment paper

Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe FAQS

Can I double this recipe?

Yes, double the ingredients and bake them in a 9×13″ glass pan.

Can I make this recipe dairy free?

Yes, substitute vegan butter or coconut oil for the salted butter.

How do you get granola bars to stick together?

This recipe uses peanut butter, honey and butter to bind the ingredients together.

Why aren’t my homemade granola bars sticking together?

The ratio of ingredients is critical for the best outcome – make sure to measure properly (or use the metric units and weigh the ingredients in grams).
If you’re measuring properly and they are still crumbly, it’s possible you over-cooked the wet mixture. Be sure to follow the recipe exactly!

a Peanut Butter Granola Bar with a peanut butter drizzle and bite taken out of it on parchment paper surrounded by more granola bars and peanut butter chips

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!