No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars

by Erin

I’ve been told my poster presentation went well yesterday. I was dying all day to know how it went, and I am still craving more details but it will have to wait until they return Wednesday night. Ahhhh! But until then…

Chewy granola bars are my absolute favorite. I’ve tried making granola bars in the past, but they never turn out quite as chewy as I would like. Then I cam upon the no-bake granola bar and it changed everything. Especially since this particular recipe includes peanut butter.  I even added some mini Reese’s pieces to them instead of mini chocolate chips. Happiness really can come in bar form.

NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsalted butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups quick oats

1/2 cup crispy rice cereal

3/4 cup chopped pretzels

1/4 cup mini Reese’s pieces

Directions:

  1. Cut out an 8 x 8 inch square of parchment paper. Place the parchment paper in the bottom of an 8 x 8 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large sauce pan, add butter, brown sugar, honey and peanut butter. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture starts to bubble. Once bubbling, cook for 2 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. Stir in the oats, crispy cereal, and pretzels. Stir until well coated. Pour into the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the pan. Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips over the top and gently press into the granola bars with your hands.
  4. Place the bars in the refrigerator and let cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting. Cut into bars and serve.

Source: Adapted slightly from Two Peas and Their Pods.

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44 comments

Kim February 17, 2014 - 1:27 pm

I can’t get parchment paper here in Chile. Could I put something else in the bitten of the pan?

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spiffycookie February 17, 2014 - 8:07 pm

You could try wax paper or maybe foil. Be sure to grease them.

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claire July 26, 2013 - 11:40 am

Excellent, thanks! Can’t wait to try this out!

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claire July 26, 2013 - 10:45 am

Hi, I saw this on pinterest and love the idea, however my husband hates peanut butter! I’m trying to think of ways to substitute so he can still try them, and all I can think of is nutella, (chocolate hazelnut spread) which he loves. Do you think that could work? (I’d leave out the choc chips as it would be chocolatey enough!)
Thanks

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spiffycookie July 26, 2013 - 10:47 am

You can definitely substitute with Nutella, or any other nut butter. I have done almond butter before too!

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Jonna March 17, 2013 - 4:00 pm

The texture is perfect and we are all addicted to them!

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Paula February 22, 2013 - 8:55 am

I’ve never made my own granola bar. Seems like a good time to try now that I found this recipe. Thank you so much for sharing!

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Kelly February 16, 2013 - 4:13 pm

I found this recipe in December and I have been making them every week. I love them! I can eat the entire pan by myself (and actually have)! Thanks for sharing, this is one of my favorite things that I have found on Pinterest.

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spiffycookie February 16, 2013 - 8:37 pm

I’m so glad you enjoy them and that you took the time to share you experience!

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Leia January 31, 2013 - 11:21 am

These turned out really good. My only problem is that they break apart easily. Might need to add a bit more of the honey,sugar,butter mix. But no complaints on taste here! Thanks

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spiffycookie January 31, 2013 - 11:22 am

I did not have that problem, but there is always some variability between the types of honey, etc used. Glad you liked them though!

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Brittany January 30, 2013 - 2:10 pm

Would this recipe still work if I took out some of the ingredients?

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spiffycookie January 30, 2013 - 2:14 pm

It depends on what ingredients you are referring to. You can easily take out the pretzels and mini Reeses pieces, but the rest of the ingredients are part of the structure of the granola bar. However, you can definitely substitute similar ingredients.

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Julie Chosa January 9, 2013 - 12:46 pm

THX!

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Laura Dembowski January 7, 2013 - 2:15 pm

Do they really make mini Reese’s Pieces? Where did you find these? I love Reese’s Pieces!

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spiffycookie January 7, 2013 - 2:22 pm

I found them in the regular candy section!

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Melissa December 30, 2012 - 12:26 pm

Just made these with my 2 1/2 year old and they were at hit with him and the hubby!!!!! I used the new plantars peanut butter energy mix and it was great!!!!! THanks for the healthy and delicious recipe with out all the added preservatives from the store!

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Kichen queen 17 December 14, 2012 - 2:56 pm

Healthy treat for everyone

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Jen September 18, 2012 - 8:13 am

These look delicious, I can’t wait to try them! I have a question thou – How long are they good for after you make them? And what do you think the best way to store them is? Do they have to be refrigerated? Thanks!

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spiffycookie September 18, 2012 - 8:28 am

I stored mine in the fridge and they were good for at least two weeks. I don’t know how much longer they can last because I ate them all before they had a chance!

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Kara September 17, 2012 - 10:30 am

Erin, these look amazing!! I can’t wait to try them!

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Arthur in the Garden! September 16, 2012 - 9:24 pm

Looks so yummy!

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Emily @ Life on Food September 15, 2012 - 6:00 am

Oh man these look great. I love anything peanut butter. Plus you add a little saltiness with the pretzels. A winner for sure.

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Jill September 14, 2012 - 3:19 pm

Love love love this recipe for granola bars. I doubled the recipe and used a 9×13 pan lined with parchment paper. I did not have pretzels or reese’s pieces on hand so i used 4 1/2 c old fashioned oats, and 1 1/2 c of crispy rice cereal, and dark chocolate chips. I pressed 1/2 of the mixture in pan, then toped with 3/4 bag choc. chips, then put other 1/2 of mixture on top and patted down. I will definitely make these again!

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spiffycookie September 14, 2012 - 3:20 pm

Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

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Christina @ Sweet Pea's Kitchen September 11, 2012 - 9:45 pm

These look great Erin! I had bookmarked them the second I say them over at Two Pea’s & Their Pod. Now seeing them here I HAVE to make them! Yum! :)

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Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers September 11, 2012 - 5:56 pm

Your granola bars look super yummy! I just love granola bars, there one of my favorite snacks!!

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Laura @ iheartfreshfood September 11, 2012 - 4:42 pm

These look super delicious!

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Jessica@AKitchenAddiction September 11, 2012 - 4:26 pm

Peanut butter is my favorite flavor granola bar and the fact that it’s no bake is a wonderful added bonus!

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Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious September 11, 2012 - 3:59 pm

I absolutely love these! It would be such a treat to munch on these at work :)

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Elle September 11, 2012 - 12:29 pm

Oh, love these, Erin! I need to make these for the kiddos. And me! :)

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Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel September 11, 2012 - 10:55 am

These granola bars look incredible, Erin! So chewy and full of super yumminess. Uh, Reese’s pieces? My fave. Love it!

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Kathryn September 11, 2012 - 10:45 am

I love a good granola bar and especially if they’re no bake!

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amy @ fearless homemaker September 11, 2012 - 10:11 am

YUM! I love no-bake granola bars + make ’em all the time. Love the peanut butter twist on these!

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Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray September 11, 2012 - 9:25 am

Please. You can’t go wrong with peanut butter.

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sally @ sallys baking addiction September 11, 2012 - 9:15 am

I’ve had trouble finding the perfect no-bake granola bar! Mine sometimes don’t end up sticking together, so I am SO glad I found this recipe Erin! And peanut butter… my favorite flavor EVER!

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Meagan @ A Zesty Bite September 11, 2012 - 8:46 am

These look really good and very pretty!

Reply

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