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Welcome to my 98574 peanut butter granola bar recipe.
Sorry? I can’t help it. I make these things all the time!
Truth be told, underneath all the sprinkles and buttercream, I truly am a health nut at heart. I adore my veggies, my workout endorphins, and my yoga mat. Nomaste.
Granola and granola bars are the kinds of recipes I make all the time. I like to call them my brain fuel. Running fuel. Get-me-through-another-work-day fuel. Christmas present shopping fuel. And of course, they are my cookie baking fuel. Obviously.
I do not post all of the healthier items I make because I know you all love your cookies so much, but in my kitchen there is a balance of seemingly healthy snacks and decadent sweets.
Today I’m sharing perhaps the EASIEST granola bar recipe you will ever make. No baking involved, no thinking involved, a TON of peanut butter involved, and there’s chocolate. Win, win, win.
The best part about these? The ingredient list is SO small and you probably have everything sitting in your pantry right now. As much as I adore granola bars, I have a hard time justifying buying them at the store. They are loaded with so much gunk I can’t even pronounce and they are WAY overpriced.
Homemade varieties are not only cheaper, but you have complete control of what you’re putting into the mix. Today’s no-bake granola bars include nothing weird, nothing requiring a google search, and quite certainly nothing you’ll have to visit a special grocery store for.
I don’t know about you, but I simply adore trail mix. The blend of salty nuts, sweet raisins, and chocolate chips is truly my weakness. What is it about that stuff? I can NEVER put it down! After about my 5th huge handful of the stuff one evening, I decided to incorporate it into a homemade bar. With a whole lotta peanut butter. Would you expect anything else?
The base of this recipe are old-fashioned oats, ground flax, and nuts. I pulverized cashews and almonds in my food processor for about 10 seconds to break them down. They act more as a base ingredient than an add-in in these. You may use peanuts, pecans, walnuts, or a combination of any nut instead – whatever is easiest for you.
I used up all my pecans in my Homemade Cinnamon Sugar Candied Nuts and was happily left with almonds and cashews for this recipe. No complaints here; I simply adore crunchy almonds and buttery rich cashews. Mmmm.
When I ground them up in the food processor, I made sure to leave a *few* big chunks for texture purposes – I wanted the bars to have a nice chunky texture in every bite.
Lots of little dried fruits make an appearance as well – a plethora of raisins and dried cranberries hopped into the mixing bowl. You could also try dried cherries, dried apples, or banana chips. The best part? Be sure to throw in some chocolate chips – if you’re looking for a truly guilt-free treat, leave them out. That’s obviously up to you. 
Really, the world is your oyster with these no-bake granola bars and you can get creative mixing and matching your favorites.
The star of the show is the peanut butter. We clearly can’t leave that stuff out. A whopping full cup of melted peanut butter, mixed with a bit of honey, will shower the dry ingredients in one sticky pour. Each bite of the bar tastes like a chewy, dense form of pure peanut butter with a few fruity & nutty chunks mixed in. Love.
The peanut butter and honey do a fine job binding the nuts and oats – much like how they held together all of the ingredients in my Peanut Butter Cup Granola. <– yum.
Once you’ve got it all into a big bowl – the oats, ground flax, pulverized nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and honey – mix it all up and pack it down nice and tight into an 8×8 square baking pan. Pack, pack, pack it down as tight as you can into the pan, so that everything can meld together and stick as the bars set up in the refrigerator. Like I said, these are no-bake granola bars and the “baking” happens in the refrigerator. My oven needs a break every now and then.
The bars take about an hour to set up – not too shabby, considering they only take about 5 minutes to put together. Cut them into 16 generous squares and get ready to enter peanut butter oblivion. Truly, these are the best peanut butter granola bars I have yet to make. All of the different textures – the squishy dried fruit, the crunchy salty nuts, chewy oats, stick-to-the-roof-of-your-mouth peanut butter, and the dots of chocolate – work SO well together.
Much like ordinary trail mix, I could not stop picking at these bars. Eat one, break another in half… come back for another piece… then another. Repeat. Yeah, you’re gonna love these too.
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Makes 16 bars. Bars are gluten free if using certified gluten free oats.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup whole almonds
- 2/3 cup whole cashews
- 1 and 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/3 cup ground flax
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1/3 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup honey (or light corn syrup, or maple syrup)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, melted
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Leave extra on the sides to use as handles for removing the bars when they are finished. Set aside.
- In a food processor (or blender), pulverize the almonds and cashews for about 10 seconds into small pieces, leaving some large chunks in tact. In a large bowl, combine the oats, ground flax, crushed nuts, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, and raisins. Mix thoroughly. Set aside.
- Mix together melted peanut butter and honey in a small bowl and pour over the dry ingredients. Mix until each bit is fully coated. Scoop the mixture into prepared baking dish and press firmly until the tops are completely even. You'll want to pack it down nice and tight.
- Place bars into the refrigerator to set up for at least one hour. Cut into 16 squares. Bars may be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days and in the refrigerator for 2 weeks.
Notes
RECIPE SOURCE: sallysbakingaddiction.com
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Need some more healthy treat ideas to get you through this holiday season? I’ll be relying on these after the New Year as well.
Homemade Chewy Fudge Granola Bars (no bake)
Healthy Peanut Butter Chunk Oatmeal Bars(vegan)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Triple Chocolate Crunch Granola
Skinny Peanut Butter Swirl Brownies
Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites
{ 61 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Sally, the peanut butter trail mix bars look DELICIOUS. I always have LOVED trail mix bars also !!!! Now I need to make the peanut butter trail mix bars AND the chocolate granola !!!!!! THANKS for the recipe !!!! Can’t wait to try both recipes !!!! Denise
Hi Denise! You would adore these peanut butter trail mix bars – they are SO easy to make. And that chocolate granola? I can never stop munching on it until the batch is gone. Luckily, it’s not that bad for you compared to store-bought versions! Thanks so much!
Hi Sally ! Yes – I would LOVE these bars…. And I would do the EXACT same thing – eat ALL the chocolate granola until it is gone !!!!! BUT……that isn’t going to stop me from making it !!!!!!!!!!! Denise
Love these! I love making no-bake granola bars with oats, PB, and all the add-in’s for all that glorious texture! And of course, the chocolate chips aren’t too shabby in there
They look awesome and makes me want to take a big bite!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Heilala Gourmet Vanilla Giveaway
Thanks Averie!! A quick recipe and a quick weekend post – chocolate & peanut butter.. you really can’t go wrong there.
Oh I love this! And I definitely need some healthiness this time of year
Can I use natural peanut butter in this or will it turn out better with the normal Jif? Thanks!
Becky @ olives n wine recently posted..Reese’s Peanut Butter Bark
Yes, you may use natural peanut butter in these bars Becky! And I know what you mean about the healthier treats this time of year – I’m trying to stay smart these few weeks, but I know I will be reaching for the healthier things after the holidays for sure.
I LOVE these!! With all the shopping madness that has been going on I could use these scrumptious bars. Besides they are packed with nuts so my Hubby will love them too! PS: I can see your pin it button is not showing the count either… And I thought it was only on my blog…
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet recently posted..Brown Butter Brown Sugar Cookies
The pin it button isn’t working for many sites – I believe it is a Pinterest bug and I’ve read that they are working on it. It’s so annoying! I like to see how my goodies are doing.
Glad you adore this recipe like I do, Anna! And yes, lots of big chunks of nuts in each bite. I LOVE that!
I do hope they will fix it soon. It’s been a while. Thanks, Sally!
These look delicious
You know what a peanut butter fan I am and anything that includes peanut butter for breakfast is good by me!
Joy @ Baking-Joy recently posted..Apple crumble cinnamon muffins
I knew you’d LOVE these bars Joy!! I’m a pb freak, just like you…
Homemade granola bars are one of my favorite treats. Such a bonus that they’re healthy. While I can’t get into yoga, my life would be a mess without tons of exercise and its endorphins and lots of fruit and veggies. Yay for cauliflower and Brussels sprouts!
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Caramel Apple Bread Pudding
Cauliflower and brussels sprouts – yes and YES! I adore both veggies SO much. And oh my goodness, my life would be haywire without my endorphins and workout regimen.
Thanks Laura!
Love homemade granola or trail mix bars like these! So much better than buying them at the store. The combo of the ingredients in these sounds wonderful!!
Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?! recently posted..My First Attempt at Cake Pops! Vanilla Cake Pops & Babycakes Cake Pop Maker
I adore making my own bars/granola too Colleen – and yes, they taste MUCH better than store-bought in my opinion and I am glad you agree with that!
I love homemade granola bars. So much better than store-bought! I’ve been on a huge peanut butter kick lately….
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Chocolate Chip Almond Mandel Bread
Hey Ashley!! I knwo what you mean about PB kick…. I feel like I’m ALWAYS on one.
Wow, the simplicity of this is going to have me making this weekly!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Hoisin Asian Meatballs #SundaySupper and a Giveaway!
really need to try these!
Love how protein-rich these bars are, Sally! They look fabulous!
Hey Georgia! Thanks so much for saying hi – and yes, protein-rich is right!
Thanks so much!
These look soooo good! I think you should post more of your healthy stuff! I really enjoy healthier baked goods and am always looking for more recipes to try!
more of my healthy recipes? will do! Thanks for the nudge to do so.
I definitely need some healthy stuff thrown into the mix right now–my waist-line is revolting!
I think it would be awesome if you posted more of your healthy recipes! Hope you had an awesome weekend, Sally.
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..My Holiday Wish List
I was just thinking that I needed to come up with some kind of easy and fast breakfast food I can give to my daughter when I’m super busy in the mornings…
Eggs are my fall-back, but still take a little time.
I hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen recently posted..Meat Lover’s Breakfast Casserole
Yes! These are so simple and I’ve been grabbing them for breakfast on my way to work. So simple to make and you can add-in all your favorites.
Thanks Loretta!
You can make as many peanut butter goodies as you want and I’ll be here to devour them!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Cookie Delivery Printable {Teacher Love}
I love your healthy recipes too! Can’t wait for #98575. and trail mix…ahhh…it gets me every time – just love it
Angela @ AnotherBitePlease recently posted..{meatfree monday} leek & potato soup
this comment was in spam again! I am regularly checking it again. I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe Angela, I’ll be happy to throw more healthy recipes your way!
These look just like Larabars, but better!! And those are so expensive. I definitely need to try some of your granola bar type recipes!
Ari @ Ari’s Menu recently posted..PF Chang’s Marathon Training Week 5
you need them for your running fuel Ari! and I looove Lara bars but save a trip to the store and some extra cash by making your own. Thanks Ari
I am obsessed with granola bars so no matter how many you post I’m still going to love them all
These really do look awesome, and my favorite granola bars are the ones that are no bake and use a lot of peanut butter so I know I would love these – awesome!
Heidi @ Food Doodles recently posted..100% Whole Wheat Chewy Triple Ginger Cookies
no bake and lots of peanut butter – that describes a recipe perfect for me. Glad you like the looks of these Heidi – you’d enjoy them!
I don’t like trail mix, dried fruit or flax. Can I just use more chocolate chips? So, um, another 2 1/3 cups chocolate?
Kidding, kidding!
And I’m sure nobody minds a 42425th peanut butter granola bar recipe. With peanut butter, the more the merrier.
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Soft and Chewy Grain- and Gluten-free Gingerbread Men
Hi Sally,
I’ve been following you since I discovered your blog through Pinterest. But now I’m decided to try your recipes since I have my new Kitchen!! But I’m unable to print this recipe through the “Print This!” button, can you help me, please?
Thx,
Ekaterina.
Ekaterina, it seems like the Print This! Plug-In is down for the time being. I sincerely apologize, but I believe the issue is being resolved. You may always copy/paste into a word document or email message and print from there if that helps.
Oh, of course copy/paste is always a solution but clicking only a button is soooooo easy ^_^
I only wanted to inform you just in case there would have been any problem in your blog. Thanks for your reply
Hi,
Inspecting the link generated by the button I’ve found it’s different from other recipes in your blog. The link generated is
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/12/15/peanut-butter-trail-mix-bars/?printthis=1&printsect=2
And the correct one is
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/12/15/peanut-butter-trail-mix-bars/?printthis=1&printsect=1
So now I’ve printed it and added to my printed recipes collection . I’m ready for the weekend!
Glad you got it printed out!
These are setting up right now, can’t wait to see how they turn out! Hoping they will be a hit for both kiddo and hubby… Now, if I can just find a recipe without peanut butter or bananas or pumpkin for me to try…. (3 things I really don’t like, yet they’re in pretty much every granola bar recipe I’ve found!)
Made the recipe plain, but subbed walnuts since I didn’t have cashews. Once in the pan, pressed sun maids fruit bits into half, and mini choc chips in the other (fruit for kid, choc for hubs).
Are these bars crunchy or chewey? Would it work to bake them for a bit to get them crunchier?
Hi Melissa! So glad you are making these trail mix bars. They are dense, chewy granola bars. Not crunchy in the slightest. I’m not a huge fan of crunchy granola bars, so I don’t have any recipes on my website since I don’t eat them. I do have crunchy granola recipes: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/12/04/triple-chocolate-crunch-granola/ and http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/06/29/toasted-coconut-tropical-granola-vegan/ I also have a soft granola bar recipe without peanut butter, bananas, and pumpkin: http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2012/08/27/dark-chocolate-apricot-granola-bars/
So, hubby LOVED these!! He said he wouldn’t change a thing and they are his #1 new favorite pintrest recipe.
Looks like i’ll be making these often… The kiddo liked them too. So glad to have another healthy snack to add to my stash!
I subbed walnuts since I didn’t have cashews, used half crunchy & half creamy peanut butter, and I did a mix of honey and maple syrup. For the add ins, since hubs doesn’t like raisins and I don’t give the kiddo chocolate, I didn’t mix them in, but I put them on top (fruit on one half, choc on the other) and pressed in when I put it all in the pan – worked great! I’ll look forward to trying some of those other recipes you mentioned.
SO SO glad you and your family love these, Melissa! I want to test out all different kinds of add-ins next time.
Heyy just wondering if you knew how many calories are in each one? I love the recipe and they sound amazing but im just curious if they are fairly low in calories as well.
Hi Alyssa, my website doesn’t provide nutritional stats as its focus isn’t on health. But I wouldn’t assume these to be low in calories with all the pb and nuts. Wholesome, whole food, and nutritional yes. Thank u!
I FINALLY made these bars…. WOW…. they are OUT OF THIS WORLD !!!!!! I could not stop eating them !!!!! THANKS for the recipe.
so glad Denise! I’m obsessed with these. I make them quite often
Hey Sally, I was actually thinking of making another batch since I am currently out of them !!!!! Denise
Denise @ pink-vegan.blogspot.com recently posted..Quinoa, Corn and Edamame Salad
I usually make two batches when I make them anyway. The first batch goes too quickly
LOL !!!! That is what I will have to start doing !!! They do go TOOOOO fast !!!!
Denise @ pink-vegan.blogspot.com recently posted..Quinoa Corn Bean and Edamame Salad
I made these yesterday and they were so good! I actually bought the combo chocolate chip, almonds and cashew mix from trader joe’s and it is the perfect size for this recipe. That way you don’t have to buy all three things separately! Also, I added about another 1/4 cup of peanut butter. I put them in the freezer, its like eating a healthy frozen candy bar!
Thanks for the great recipe.
Hi Kristin! I think I need to try them frozen next time! You’re a genius.
So glad you enjoyed them. They are one of my very very favorites 
Trail mix without M&Ms? Isn’t that illegal?
Mary Ellen recently posted..Frozen Peanut Butter Cups
Did you have any trouble with it being “crumbly”? Maybe because I used maple syrup instead of honey and just a touch less than 1/2 cup (because I ran out)? What do you think? Tasted great (awesome, in fact), but a little crumbly/messy for the kiddos.
Hi Chandra! After being refrigerated for some time, the bars are a tad crumbly. You can see some crumbs in the photos.
Glad you like the way they taste!
I made these for my family and they loved them! I will
Def. Have to make them again! Thank you for a great recipe!
Hey Jen! That’s great to hear. I adore these trail mix bars. I need to make them again soon. Maybe this weekend.
Thank you!
Can I make this bars with natural pb? They look amazing! I love pb and chocolate together
Yes, as long as the peanut butter isn’t super oily. Give it a nice stir before using.
I made these bars and they were amazing! They are so tasty! I can’t stop eating them. I will try to make them every week!