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).
- 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!
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.
Instead of coconut oil. Can i use olive oil or avocado oil? Im not a fan of coconut oil.
You could try a refined coconut oil so there isn’t much coconut flavor!
My husband loves this fairly healthy delicious treat. I double the recipe and put it into a lined bread pan, refrigerate. My husband cuts them into bars before freezing them & takes 1 for his lunch every day. I add 1-2 Tbsp of cacao for a bit more of a chocolate flavor. I mix up the nuts I add as well as use different chocolates like milk chocolate melted for the top but then add a bit of dark chocolate chips to the mix.
Perfect! So glad you both enjoy these!
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!
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!
These were delicious, easy to make and healthy! The only substitute I made was instead of roasted almonds on top I did roasted peanuts.
Delicious flavor. The bars did not hold up for me, they crumbled. I think the recipe needs more binding.
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!
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!
Thank you, thank you so much. So delicious and tasty.
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!
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 🙂
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!
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!
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!
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 🙂
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!
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!