If you’re looking for a delicious snack that satisfies both your sweet tooth and your craving for something hearty, this Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars Recipe is an absolute winner. Combining the nutty richness of peanut butter, the chewy texture of granola and oats, and bursts of melty chocolate chips, these bars are a delightful treat that’s perfect any time of day. Whether you want a quick breakfast on the go or an afternoon pick-me-up, these bars bring a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will keep you coming back for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients is all it takes to whip up these irresistible bars. Each component plays a unique role, lending texture, aroma, or sweetness, making this recipe both straightforward and rewarding.
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats: Provides a chewy, hearty base loaded with fiber.
- ½ cup peanut butter (unsweetened): Adds creamy nutty flavor and healthy fats.
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup: Offers natural sweetness and helps hold everything together.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances flavor with warm, fragrant notes.
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon: Brings a subtle hint of spice that complements the sweetness.
- ½ teaspoon baking soda: Helps the bars rise slightly and achieve a perfect texture.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies flavors.
- ½ cup granola: Adds crunch and extra texture variety.
- ½ cup chocolate chips: Gives those satisfying pockets of rich, melty chocolate.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Kick off by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure your bars come out cleanly and stay intact when slicing.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and granola. Stir these together so every bite is bursting with perfectly balanced flavors and textures.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until you get a smooth, creamy blend. This luscious mix is the glue that holds your bars beautifully together.
Step 4: Unite Wet and Dry
Pour your peanut butter mixture into the dry ingredients. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined, ensuring the oats and granola get a lovely coating of that peanut buttery goodness.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips. You want these sweet pockets evenly distributed, offering a delightful surprise in every bite.
Step 6: Press Into Baking Dish
Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Press it down evenly using a spatula or clean hands—this helps the bars bake uniformly and maintain their shape.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your bars for 15 to 18 minutes, watching closely until the edges turn a beautiful golden color and the center feels set but still soft.
Step 8: Cool and Slice
Once out of the oven, let the bars cool entirely in the pan. This step is essential because it allows them to firm up fully, making clean, perfect squares when you slice them.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt atop each bar for a contrasting flavor, or add a drizzle of melted peanut butter to up the indulgence factor. A handful of chopped peanuts can add a lovely crunch and nutty flair as well.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, a cup of hot coffee, or your favorite herbal tea. For a fuller snack, consider serving alongside fresh fruit like sliced bananas or berries for a refreshing balance.
Creative Ways to Present
Looking to impress? Stack these bars in a rustic wooden box lined with parchment paper or wrap individual bars in decorative wax paper tied with twine. They also make fantastic homemade gifts that look as good as they taste!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After baking, store your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. This keeps them fresh, chewy, and wonderfully flavorful without drying out.
Freezing
If you want to keep these bars around longer, wrap each one individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well frozen for up to three months, ready to thaw whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, microwave a bar for about 15 seconds or bake at a low temperature for a few minutes. This melts the chocolate chips beautifully and softens the peanut butter texture for an even more comforting treat.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter will add extra texture and an even nuttier bite to your bars, making them delightfully crunchy in every morsel.
Is it possible to substitute the honey or maple syrup?
Yes, you can swap with agave nectar or brown rice syrup if you prefer, but keep in mind the flavor profile might change slightly. These alternatives will still provide the necessary sweetness and binding.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
Definitely! Use maple syrup instead of honey and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. This keeps your bars vegan-friendly without sacrificing any delicious flavor.
How do I make the bars less sweet?
Try reducing the honey or maple syrup to 3 tablespoons. You can also opt for dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa content to tone down the sweetness.
Can I add nuts or dried fruits to this recipe?
For sure! Chopped walnuts, almonds, or dried cranberries and raisins would make great additions, adding variety and extra flavor. Just adjust quantities so your bars hold together well.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about homemade bars packed with wholesome ingredients and gooey chocolate chips that feels like a warm hug in snack form. I can’t wait for you to dive into this Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars Recipe and enjoy every chewy, nutty, sweet bite. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite go-to treat!
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Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars combine the wholesome goodness of rolled oats and granola with the rich flavors of peanut butter and chocolate chips. Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup and lightly spiced with cinnamon, these bars are a perfect grab-and-go snack or a delicious dessert. Baked to a golden finish, they offer a chewy texture with a hint of crunch and a delightful balance of sweet and nutty flavors.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup granola
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter (unsweetened)
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring easy removal of the bars after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and granola. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute all dry components.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl containing the dry ingredients and stir well to ensure everything is fully combined.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the batter without melting.
- Transfer Mixture to Pan: Press the combined mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish using a spatula or clean hands to create an even, compact layer.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15–18 minutes until the edges become golden and the center is set, indicating the bars have cooked through.
- Cool and Slice: Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing them into 9 equal squares for serving.
Notes
- Use unsweetened peanut butter to control added sugars.
- For a vegan option, substitute honey with maple syrup.
- Make sure bars are completely cool before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- Feel free to swap chocolate chips for nuts or dried fruits for variation.
