I can’t get by a day without a snack or two. If you reached into my jacket pocket, you’d surely find a GoMacro wrapper. I’m known to have a banana in my purse and a packet of peanut butter with me wherever I go. Why? Because without food, I’m HANGRY and it’s bad. Throughout the years, I’ve learned to be prepared for when hunger strikes.
The good news is that I’ve got an incredible nourishing snack recipe for you: I’ve officially made these peanut butter granola bars multiple times since I first developed the recipe a few years ago. They’re just so good!
The best part is that they’re incredibly customizable. You could make a new version every week for yourself, the kiddos, friends & family and never get sick of them. Snack. Heaven.
Ingredients in these homemade peanut butter granola bars
These healthy peanut butter granola bars are packed with healthy fats & protein to keep you full and satisfied whenever hunger strikes. Plus, they’re super adaptable to what you have on hand! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Nut butter: We’re all about the healthy fats here! I like to use an all natural peanut butter (just peanuts + salt). Use the code ‘AMBITIOUS15’ to get 15% off my favorite brand, Wild Friends!
- Honey: naturally sweetened and just the way I like it. I love using manuka or raw honey because of its healing properties, plus I find that it’s a little less sweet than most commercial honey (such as clover).
- Flaxseed meal: have you tried flaxseed meal yet? a natural source of protein, fiber and good for you vitamins. I love adding it to granola bars and smoothies because it adds a nice nuttiness. It’s also great for mamas who might be nursing as it’s been known to enhance milk production.
- Chia seeds: another great source of fiber and protein and helps to keep you feel satisfied as chia seeds. It also helps to keep the bars together.
- Oats: I love using gluten free old fashioned oats in this recipe. They’re pretty easy to find and are a wonderful complex carb to help provide you with energy.
- Almonds: add some toasted almonds for a wonderful crunch and addition of healthy fats!
- Unsweetened shredded coconut: this ingredient also helps to hold the bars together and give them a perfect chewy texture. I love using unsweetened finely shredded coconut.
- Coconut oil: you’ll need a bit of coconut oil to mix the ingredients together and for the chocolate drizzle.
- Chocolate: I love melting chocolate chips for a wonderful chocolate drizzle. This is optional but so delicious!
Customize your granola bars
Good news: this recipe for peanut butter granola bars is very flexible. Stick to the base but from there you can adapt as you like! Here’s what I can recommend:
- Use your fav nut or seed butter: if you wanna switch it up, you could try almond butter, cashew, pecan or even sunflower seed butter for a nut free version (without the addition of almonds of course). Smucker’s is one of my favorite peanut butters to use.
- Add your fav mix-ins: feel free to add dried fruit like raisins or dried cranberries, add mini chocolate chips, or swap the almonds for toasted pecans. YUM.
- Make them vegan: simply use coconut palm syrup or date syrup instead of honey. Be sure to use dairy free chocolate chips as well.
How to make healthy peanut butter granola bars
- Mix the wet ingredients. Heat the peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, vanilla & cinnamon in a saucepan over medium heat and stir every so often until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the dry. Stir in the flaxseed meal, chia seeds and rolled oats. Then fold in the almonds and shredded coconut.
- Set the bars. Add the mixture to a lined 8×4 inch pan and evenly press it all down. Top with the rest of the almonds.
- Drizzle with chocolate. Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl and microwave until the chocolate is melted. Drizzle the bars evenly.
- Set & enjoy. Cover the bars with foil and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until hardened. When ready to enjoy, cut into 8 bars and devour!
Storing tips
Store these no bake peanut butter granola bars in an airtight container or a Stasher Bag in the fridge for up to 1 week.
More no bake snacks you’ll love
- Monster Cookie Energy Bites
- Coconut & Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Salted Dark Chocolate Pistachio Quinoa Crunch Bars
- Birthday Cake Cookie Dough Energy Bites
- Vegan No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Get all of our delicious no bake snacks here!
I hope you love these no bake peanut butter granola bars! If you make them, let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and leaving a comment below. And don’t forget to use the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so I can see your creations!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
No Bake, Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy natural drippy peanut butter (just peanuts & salt)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
- 3 tablespoons honey (or use coconut palm syrup or date syrup if vegan)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅓ cup flaxseed meal
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats, gluten free if desired
- 1/3 cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped* (or sub chopped pecans)
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- For on top:
- 2 tablespoons roasted almonds, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add peanut butter, coconut oil, honey, vanilla and cinnamon to a medium saucepan and place over low heat. Stir every so often until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and immediately stir in flaxseed meal, chia and oats. Fold in almonds and shredded coconut and stir until combined.
- Line an 8x4 inch loaf pan with parchment paper; pour granola bar mixture in and spread out evenly, then press down in the pan very firmly. Press remaining roasted almonds on top.
- Place dark chocolate chips and ½ teaspoon coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high in 30 second increments, stirring in between until chocolate is completely smooth and melted. Drizzle diagonally over bars.
- Cover the bars with foil, and place bars in the freezer for 15-20 minutes or in the fridge for 30 minutes-1 hour or until mixture has hardened. Remove bars from pan and cut into 8 granola bars anyway you'd like. Store bars in the fridge, either individually wrapped in plastic or in foil. Bars will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
Recipe Notes
Stove top method: Place almonds in a small pan over medium heat. Stir until toasted and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. They are done as soon as they start looking darker and smell toasty. Immediately remove the almonds from the pan to a bowl or paper towel to prevent burning. Oven method: You can also toast the almonds in the oven on a baking sheet at 350 degrees F for 7-9 minutes. I prefer this method To make bars vegan: Use coconut palm syrup or date syrup instead of honey. To make bars nut free: Use sunflower seed butter and sunflower seeds in the recipe. Please be aware there is coconut in this recipe if you are sensitive to it. Feel free to double the recipe and place in an 8x8 inch pan and use any natural nut butter you’d like.
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz | Photography by: Yoga of Cooking
This post was originally published on January 11, 2019, and republished on August 29, 2021.
These look amazing
They’re delicious!
Hi! How long do these bars last? Should they be refrigerated?
Hi Jennie! Per the recipe instructions, the bars will last 1 week in the fridge! Hope you love them.
Saw it, made it, it’s in the fridge and will go with us on a family wedding weekend at Tahoe!!! Thank you!!!
YES hope everyone loves them!!
I normally don’t post, but I first laid eyes on this recipe 17 minutes ago…handed the baby to my husband and said I’d be right back….they’re cooling in the fridge now! YUM
Amazing!! Hope everyone loved them 🙂
These look amazing, I have been searching for the perfect granola bar and I think I found it! Thanks for posting
YES they’re so delicious! Enjoy!
These look delicious! but I don’t have any flax seed meal :(. Do you think almond flour would work as a substitute?
I haven’t tried it so I can’t say for sure, but I would guess it might work.
I have everything but the coconut oil. Any recommendations for substitutes?
Butter or vegan butter would the only sub that would work well.
Is the flaxmeal and chia seeds essential to the recipe? Or can I leave them out?
Thanks
You can leave the chia seeds out but the flaxseed meal helps hold this all together!
I made these today and they tasted great! We will probably double the recipe since these went pretty quick. – Question though.. we put these in the fridge but they never really “hardened.” They easily broke apart when we tried to cut them. Do you know why or what we need to do for them to come out more like bars?
Allow them to thaw a bit before cutting them. Also make sure you used an all natural creamy PB. Some have higher oil content and some less. I suggest adding another tablespoon of coconut oil if you are having issues next time!
I had the same experience as Anjelica. Made the bars using the ingredients in the recipe, but they are very soft and definitely not going to be transportable as an easy snack to eat on the road.
Is it possible the peanut butter (sorry I used Kraft smooth as I was out of natural)? It almost seems to oily so perhaps I’d remove the coconut oil from the base if I tried this again.
Flavours and carbs are just where I needed them – now to get them hard or at least not flimsy would be a bonus.
Any suggestions?
Hi Susan! Make sure you used an all natural creamy PB. Some have higher oil content and some less. I suggest adding another tablespoon of coconut oil if you are having issues next time.
Can I ask what brand of natural creamy PB you use. I made these and they would not harder up as well. Not sure if a table spoon more of the oats would have been helpful? I did leave out the coconut itself ( my kids are not fans) so I am not sure if that is the issue or just the PB.
I use Smucker’s or the all-natural 365 brand from Whole Foods! The coconut actually helps bind these together, so leaving it out is probably why they didn’t hold up as well. You could try more oats next time!
Unfortunately, when I made them they crumbled apart. No bars, just a crumbled mess. Any suggestions? Still delicious!
Hi Trina – allow them to thaw a bit before cutting them. Also make sure you used an all natural creamy PB. Some have higher oil content and some less. I also suggest adding another tablespoon of coconut oil if you are having issues next time.
I just made these. I used agave instead of honey and vegan butter instead of coconut oil. I had a bite before I refrigerated it and it was delicious. Can’t wait to have one. Thank you
Perfect! Hope you love these ones.
Ack! I didn’t notice “roasted” almonds! I was just mesmerized with the picture! They’re in the fridge now hopefully they’ll turn out as great as they sound and look!
No worries! Hope you enjoyed them anyway 🙂
I didn’t notice the roasted almond part😣 hopefully they come out good.
I love these bars. I made them to help me get through my post-Halloween candy craving. They satisfy my sweet tooth cravings and I feel better that I know what’s in them! I’m creating a post about this for my fashion + lifestyle blog, Lunch With A Girlfriend.
Thank you for the inspiration,
Sapna
http://www.lunchwithagirlfriend.com
So happy to hear that! Best way to curb sweet tooth cravings (and better than candy!)
Will these turn out without the oats in them? Or can you suggest something other then oats? What about extra nuts?
Made these No Bake Peanut Butter Bars today for my husband and myself and they were a hit! So delicious and easy to make! I used pecans only instead of almonds, but that was my choice, but we really enjoyed them!! Thank you!
I’m glad you two loved them! One of my favorite healthy snacks (and love the idea of pecans!)
Im thinking to make them as part of Christmas gifts along side some cookies too. Especially becaue these bars are healthy and not full of bad sugar.
I bet they are great for a post workout meal right?
So if the bars are not hardend enough can I keep them longer in the fridge instead of adding more coconut oil?
That sounds fantastic! And yes just keep longer in the fridge until hardened— usually an hour does the trick.
Delicious, Monique!!! Everyone went nuts for these, including my picky two year old and my 10 month old! I definitely need to double next time 😀 Instead of chocolate chips on top I melted 1/4 cup coconut oil and mixed it with 1/4 cup raw cacao powder and 2 T pure maple syrup. SO GOOD!
Thanks for posting idea of using cocao powder, added pecans instead of almonds….my 3 children devoured them! Thanks Monique for another HIT!
Perfect! So happy to hear that.
Love this recipe! The video makes following the recipe steps so easy. Question unrelated to baking/cooking – what is the song you used for the recipe video? Thinking it would be a great workout track!
These bars look so good! My husband is such a granola bar lover and has at least one a day. I definitely need to make him some of these to pack in his lunch! So much better than the packaged version!
I actually can’t believe how delicious these are!
I used half pecans, half almonds.
I used half peanut butter, half tahini.
Maple syrup instead of honey.
Added the dried fruit I had in the cupboard (currants and raisins).
So. delicious!
I didn’t add the chocolate because I didn’t have any, and, honestly think they are sweet enough as is!
Thank you so much, I cant wait to make again!
Delicious!!!! Best peanut butter protein snack EVER! I like to add a tbsp of Maca and some cranberries on top. My favorite snack so far.
Perfect! Glad you love them 🙂
These look absolutely delicious – I can’t wait to give them a try! I’m a sucker for peanut butter but I could see this working with almond butter too. And the almonds and chocolate drizzle really give this a special touch, I love it!
They’re amazing! Hope you get a chance to try them (and almond butter would be great, too).
Delicious and healthy. Good flavor. Will make again.
I maded
They became great! Very suitable for athletes.
Absolutely!
The bars are just yummy! I want to make them again but have ran out of peanut butter. Do you think I can use another tahini, for instance sesami tahini or sunflower seed butter? They are all home made if this makes any difference in this case.
Yes almond, cashew, pecan, or sunflower seed butter should work well!
These are wonderful! I have made them twice…my husband & several people at work love them! They will definitely be a staple. I used toasted almond slices & spread the chocolate over the top, rather than drizzling…otherwise I followed it.Thank you so much for always sharing great recipes!!
Amazing! So happy to hear that.
Oh, God, absolutely delicious! Sure satisfies a “sweets” craving and it’s all good for ya! Thanks!!
I made these bars and loved them. The only thing they did not hold together like some of the other readers stated. I left them sit out for awhile after putting in fridge for a couple hours. What are your suggestions? I also used Lilly chocolate bar and melted for the topping. Thanks
I loved these bars. They didn’t hold together like some of the other readers comments. I left them out for awhile before cutting them and after putting in fridge for couple hours. Any suggestions beside adding more coconut oil. I also melted Lilly chocolate bar on top. Thanks
Hi thanks for this recipe. It turned out really well. I would reduce cocunut oil and honey next time as it is too sweet for me.
Glad you enjoyed! You can try reducing the honey by 1 tablespoon, but I would not reduce the coconut oil. Coconut oil does not contain any sort of sweetener. Hope this helps!
I can never find a yummy protein bar in the store without tons of artificial flavorings. These are SO GOOD, easy to make, and keep me full for a longer period of time. I might try it next time with less chocolate and honey just to cut down on my sugar intake, but these bad boys taste amazing as is.
So much better than store bought! Glad you loved these!
AMAZING. These are getting me through self-isolation right now. I’ve never left a review for a recipe online ever (sorry) and I had to for these they’re THAT good. Going to make again tomorrow with all the spare time I have.
I’m so glad you love them!! Thanks for your note and review, Sydney 🙂
I made this. It’s softer than anticipated but still very sweet for my taste. I used dates syrup since honey is way too sweet for my taste. If I were to make them thicker and place them in the freezer, they would probably have the solid consistency of a regular protein bar.
This recipe is a keeper nevertheless; with some tweaks here and there,..
I’m glad you enjoyed regardless! Let me know how it goes making them thicker and freezing them 🙂
I am wondering if I could substitute pure maple syrup for the honey?
I think that would work okay but I haven’t tried it to be certain!
Waw this looks amazinggg! Can’t wait to try it. Any recommendations ss to what to sub for Flax? They’re not available in my market. Thank you so much for all your fabulous recipes. I’m a huge fan!
You could try using protein powder or almond flour, but I haven’t tested it! Glad you’re finding recipes here that you love!
The site won’t let me leave 5 stars, but I’ve made this several times, and adapted it and they are delicious..
Can they be frozen afterwards?
Glad you enjoyed! And yes, feel free to freeze them 🙂 just thaw them a bit in the fridge before eating them. Noted on the stars, too!
Haven’t made these yet. We are not coconut fans (texture not the taste) What can I substitute the coconut with?
You can simply leave out and add more oats if necessary.
I’m a newly nursing mom and have been needing a healthy but yummy snack to get in enough calories. This fits the bill. It is so dang good!! I didn’t change the recipe except didn’t have time to roast my almonds so used regular almonds from the store. So delicious!! Love that it has oatmeal and flax which are great for milk supply. Will definitely be making again, and next time at least a double batch!! 😋
Amazing! So glad you found this one 🙂 check out my lactation cookies, too – great for upping milk supply!
hopefully people appreciate the non trans fat from the oil and flax (very high). very important for holding food longer in digestive tract( absorbtion + hunger). plants(peanuts,chia,flax dried fruit) provide thousands of antioxidants, not just vitamins. check out dr. greger’s website!
I can’t wait to try your recipe! But I was wondering… Can you store this in the freezer as well?
loved these! I left out chia seeds because they make me itch and just put a dash of cinnamon. I want to eat the whole pan!
Perfect! Glad you liked them!
These are so easy to make and delicious. I split the recipe into 16 ‘bites’ for lighter snacking. Will be making these again!!
Perfect! So glad you loved them!
Make these all the time and keep them in the freezer for when I want one. They are honestly the best homemade granola bars.
Love that!!
These are delicious and so easy to make! They’re a go-to and replace store bought bars!
Absolutely! Glad you love them!
These bars are AMAZING!!! I did sub almond butter for the peanut butter and I added raisins for the flaxseed meal. They are simply addicting!!!!
These look so good, will be making them today! One thing though, my almonds did not turn into pecans once I roasted them using the Stove Top method:) too cute!
Hope you love them! Oops, haha. Thanks for the catch 🙂
These are so good. I make them regularly and the kids love them. While the drizzle makes for a prettier bar, I find it too much of a hassle. I usually just toss the chocolate chips or some cacao nibs and the chopped almonds right into the “dough”. I always make a 1.5 recipe and cut them into small squares so they can be enjoyed as “energy bites” by the kids. Thanks for the great recipe!
Hi, Kristy! So happy you guys are loving them. And yes totally fine to leave the drizzle off; great idea to add chocolate right into the dough!
Loved this recipe. Was even better the next day after it set in the fridge overnight. The only thing I did different was used raisins in place of almonds, and it was delicious.
Nice! So happy you enjoyed these, Kendra 🙂
Wow, this looks amazing! I might need to go to the store TONIGHT!
You need to try them!! 🙂
Oh my goodness, these are the bomb. I made mine with hazelnut butter instead of peanut butter and seriously taste like nutella nutty bars. My kids normally turn their nose up at my seed and nut bars but they devoured these ones in a flash. Definitely a keeper recipe.
I made these yesterday they are the bomb. I was gonna leave a pic but I can’t figure that out. Lol
Looks delicious!! Thanks for the receipe!
Do these freeze well?
I haven’t frozen them myself, but I think they should be fine!
I don’t have flaxseed meal. What can I exchange it for?? These sound great, can’t wait to make them!
Hi, Crystal! I haven’t tried subbing it but you could maybe try adding a couple more tablespoons of chia seeds in its place 🙂
I made a double batch of these granola bars TWICE yesterday. I have some sons who want to consume a lot of protein, because of building muscle, and these bars pack a lot of protein, so it’s an easy, quick thing for them to eat before school! I calculated about, at least, 10 grams of protein if you make a double batch in an 8×8 pan and cut them into 12. We liked the flavor of these bars and the texture is great, too! I’m thrilled to pieces that my boys are consuming chia seeds and flaxseed meal, and they have no idea! 😀 My only hesitancy is the coconut oil… I don’t love all the saturated fat in it. This is a great recipe though!
Amazing!! SO happy to hear you’re all loving them and that they can’t taste the seeds HAHA 🙂
Hi These bars look AMAZING haven’t tried them yet but wondering if I could use something else then flaxseed meal?
This recipe was sooo good! I will definitely be making again! My whole family thoroughly enjoyed 😍
My only issue was that the batter was more runny then the video/picture showed, even though I followed the recipe exactly. And it took a lot longer than 30 minutes for the bars to set – almost 5 hours. I don’t know what the issue was, but once they finally set, they tasted delicious. So full of flavor! Thank you, Monique!
This recipe was sooo good! I will definitely be making again! My whole family thoroughly enjoyed 😍
My only issue was that the batter was more runny then the video/picture showed, even though I followed the recipe exactly. And it took a lot longer than 30 minutes for the bars to set – almost 5 hours. I don’t know what the issue was, but once they finally set, they tasted delicious. So full of flavor! Thank you, Monique!
Hmm I am not sure what could have happened? I am glad they tasted delicious though!
Excellent recipe! Made today and substituted Costco nut butter for the peanut butter and roasted pecans for the almonds as that is what was in the house. Wish I had doubled or tripled the recipe. I love having a gluten-free treats that have no or very low refined sugar. I used Lily’s low sugar chocolate chips-excellent. My three-year-old granddaughter loved these treats as well. Of course she helped me make them😁. Will make again very soon.
Perfect! So glad you are enjoying this recipe!
These are now a staple of my husband’s work lunch, he loves them. I also add some cacao nibs. Thx for a healthy delicious snack we can feel good about.
Oooh love the addition of cacao nibs! Glad you both love them 🙂
So glad I came across this recipe. I have tried several similar recipes but this was my husband’s absolute favorite, he says perfection. I make these weekly so he can take a bar to work each night. He is a truck driver and I worrry about his health and weight but with these bars there is nothing to worry about, good for you and taste delicious! Thank you for sharing 💛 😋
Amazing!! That’s such a kind thing for you to do for him 🙂 Appreciate your comment!
I have made these dozens of times over the years, and played with the recipe a little. The original is definitely best! I’m wondering if they can be made and stored in the freezer until ready to use. Maybe individually wrapped and thrn bagged. They would definitely make a great postpartum snack!
Aww yay! I am so glad you’re loving this recipe. I haven’t tried freezing these so I am not sure how they would thaw. Let me know if you give it a try!
I make it as it is written. It is my guilt free afternoon indulgence.
Yay! I am so glad you’re enjoying this recipe, Cynthia!
These are so good. I didn’t have flaxseed meal, but I had almond meal and used that. I will make these again and again. Yummy.
YUM! Sounds amazing, so glad you are loving these granola bars and they turned out great for you 🙂
Subbed almond meal for the oats and added hemp seeds with the chia seeds.Also used rice malt syrup as my sweetener. Delicious. Thanks for a lovely recipe.
Awesome! Glad to hear you’re loving this recipe and it turned out great for you with your subs!
Thank you, thank you so much. So delicious and tasty.
Would these bars hold their shape at room temperature in a lunch box a few hours after taken out of the fridge?
Yes they should!
Holy….friggen…crap… these ARE INCREDIBLE. My son would of ate the entire tray if I let him. I am never buying another cliff bar.
Thank you for yet another staple in my house !
Homemade is the best! I’m glad they were a hit!
Delicious flavor. The bars did not hold up for me, they crumbled. I think the recipe needs more binding.
These were delicious, easy to make and healthy! The only substitute I made was instead of roasted almonds on top I did roasted peanuts.
Is there something I could sub in instead of coconut that would still allow them to hold together – because I’d really like to make them!?
Hi! You could try adding more flaxseed meal – let me know if you do!
Is there a substitute for the flax seed I can’t have flax…thanks!
Hi! I’ve only tested these as is, but I’ve seen people successfully swap the flaxseed meal for almond flour. Protein powder might work, too!