This recipe for 4-ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate is quick and easy to make, vegan and gluten-free, and is loved by all who try it!
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Heads up! This recipe was first published in January 2014. The text of the post is the same; some photos have been updated.
When I was reflecting on the direction of Happy Healthy Mama for the New Year, one thing came to mind: simple. Less ingredients, less hassle, less time in the kitchen.
It’s not that I don’t love spending all day cooking or creating elaborate meals. I do. A lot. I’m just not at a time in my life that affords such a luxury. When, exactly, that time of life will come, I’m not sure. Retirement?
Anyway, so as I thought about what I want to happen in this space in 2014, I realized there are a lot of moms, dads, and busy individuals who are in the same position I am. Wanting the meals and snacks we make to be from nourishing, real-food ingredients, but only having so much time to accomplish that goal.
And of course there are those of you who don’t really like spending that much time in the kitchen. You don’t love cooking or baking much, but still have a desire to provide the best foods you can for yourself or your family. I’ve got you in mind, too.
You will see a lot more recipes like these 4-ingredient peanut butter granola bars this year on Happy Healthy Mama. Quick, simple recipes for healthful snacks that won’t take all day to prepare. Easy and healthy dinners that can be prepared and cooked in 30 minutes. These are the types of recipes I’m working on.
I can’t promise every recipe will be simple, but you will see a lot more of the quick and easy variety, usually with minimal ingredients.
For today’s peanut butter granola bars, all you need is four ingredients and one bowl and you are in business with a quick and healthy snack. If you want to add the chocolate (who doesn’t want to add chocolate?!) that’s just one more bowl. 
The granola bars, without the chocolate, are fantastic. You don’t need the chocolate for these to be good. The chocolate just elevates them to, well, almost candy bar level. At least this is my kids’ version of a candy bar.
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4-ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate {vegan, gluten-free}
Description
These 4-ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate are vegan, gluten-free, and SUPER EASY to make!
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 2 cups old fashioned oats (use certified GF oats if necessary)
- 3/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup peanuts, lightly crushed
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
For the chocolate topping
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, melted
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Put the oats, peanut butter, crushed peanuts (to crush my peanuts, I put them in a small sandwich bag and use a rolling pin to break them up. Easy!), and honey or maple syrup into a large bowl and mix well.
- Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Transfer the mixture to the dish and use your hands to spread it out to the edges. Take another sheet of parchment paper and lay it on top of the mixture. Press it firmly down. Use something heavy to do this. I use a large can of tomatoes. Don’t skip this part! When making homemade granola bars, I’ve found this step to be crucial for them to hold together well and have the best texture.
- Pull the parchment paper off of the top and bake the in the preheated oven for 12 minutes. Don’t throw the parchment paper away-you will need it again!
- When the bars are finished baking, pull them out of the oven and put the parchment paper back on top of them. Once again, press them down firmly into the dish. I use the big ol’ can of tomatoes again to do this. Put them in the fridge to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
- Pull the mixture out of the pan with the parchment paper and use a sharp knife to cut them into bars.
- Meanwhile, melt your chocolate chips and coconut oil and mix them together. (The coconut oil is optional. I find it spreads better and leaves a nicer finish with coconut oil, but it’s fine without it, too.) Spread the chocolate over the bars evenly using a rubber spatula.
- Return to the refrigerator to let the chocolate firm, and then cut into bars again. Store bars in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
I’ve used both honey and maple syrup to make these, and even though the picture shows maple syrup, I prefer the honey
I’m starting to loathe recipes that make only 6 or 8 bars as they will only last a day in this house. This recipe makes a full 18 bars, but feel free to half the recipe and make it in a 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking pan if that better suits your needs.
I did a quick calculation of the cost of making these bars in comparison with buying a box of granola bars. I found that, based on the prices I pay for ingredients, this whole recipe cost approximately $5.16 to make, putting the cost per 6 bars (a typical box of granola bars) at $1.72, or 28 cents per bar. That is considerably cheaper than buying a box of pre made granola bars, and you are in control of your ingredients. (Even organic granola bars have added ingredients like tapioca syrup) Win!
If you make this 4-ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Chocolate recipe, or any Happy Healthy Mama recipe, I would LOVE to see it! Please take a pic and share it on Instagram or the Happy Healthy Mama Facebook page and tag me @happyhealthymama ?
Also, if you try it, would you mind rating the recipe? It’s VERY helpful for me and other readers if the recipes have ratings and reviews. I appreciate you!
You may also love this No Bake Granola Bar recipe!
So good and easy. I used almond butter and chopped almonds since we are unfortunately peanut free. Everyone is devouring these-2 (sometimes) picky kids and a husband who sometimes passes on the healthy stuff.
These were so yummy! I did 1/4 c syrup and 1/4 c honey. I also used sunflower seeds instead of chopped peanuts since that’s what I had in the pantry. Perfect!
So glad you loved these Trish! And thanks for the reminder–I haven’t made them in a while and my family loves them. 🙂
OMG!!! Amazing! These are so decilious! And so easy! Thank you! My husband just started a new job and needs to be out of the house by 5:30am – that’s just too early for me to be up and making breakfast! Problme solved! He takes one of these, a piece of fruit and a yogurt and he’s got a healthy breakfast. We’ve tried all the packaged versions and not only do these taste so much better, but no scary ingredents that no one can pronounce! These are fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found a healthy solution for your husband’s breakfast. 🙂
Great granola bar recipe! The flattening really makes a difference! I love how simple they are to make.. I can add anything to these to change them up too! Thanks! 😉
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed them.
Tried these today…added flax seed and pretzels and chocolate chips/cocoa powder… tastes so yummy even without baking it!
Thanks for the recipe 🙂
what about using Agave in place of maple syrup….possibly hold everything together a bit more? your thoughts…
I didn’t have a problem with these holding together, but nonetheless I think agave would work, too.
I have quick oats, will these work okay? Hoping to make as my son can’t have several items found in the commercial bars (organic, gf or regular). Thanks.
I haven’t tried it with these, but I do think it would work. The texture will likely be slightly different, but it should work.
They came out okay everyone liked them but my son thought a littl dry 🙂 On the part with the can – are you rolling it or something else? I had lots of thick edges. It is still a work in progress but thanks.
Yes, I use a large can to roll the mixture down. It helps keep them from falling apart. You should be able to get the edges even this way, but you do have to go over it a few times to even it out.
These are fantastic and my kids’ love them. I am right now making a second batch b/c the kids’ (including the big kid-dad) requested that I make them again.
So glad to hear your family enjoyed these!
These are delicious I’m hooked! Just made another batch, yum. Will never buy a processed granola bar again!
Thanks for letting me know, Melissa! So easy, right? 🙂
These are delicious. I made them as written and they turned out great. The tip about pushing them into the pan before and after baking really helped hold them together. These could easily be called a candy bar rather than a granola bar.
Thanks for another simple, delicious, kid-approved recipe.
You’re welcome! I totally agree that these are like healthy candy bars.
These look delicious! My kids love granola bars and I’m always looking for homemade recipes. Quick question-do you think agave nectar would work in place of the honey or maple syrup? Thanks!
Yes, I definitely think agave would work!
Um, yum!
— Alex at Brainy Girls Beauty
Thank you for this. My son loves the Fiber One peanut butter chocolate bars..I know they arent really healthy but I couldnt produce anything that was close enough that he was happy with. Well together we made these this weekend and he LOVES them. I know longer have to buy those bars that I know are filled with preservatives and extra sugar not to mention no whole grains.
Oh I’m so glad to hear this!! 🙂 Thanks for coming back to let me know.
I love easy recipes with wholesome ingredients like this! When you put in the $$ computations, it convinced me even more to not buy packaged granola bars anymore and just make my own 🙂
Yes! It makes so much sense. 🙂
Yum! I made them with homemade cashew nut butter – delicious!! I’m going to try a sun butter version too. Thank you!
You’re welcome!
Yay – bring on the quick and easy recipes! I don’t even have kids yet but still prefer not to spend hours in the kitchen. Maybe it’s the cold weather making me lazier! I also agree with doubling and tripling most recipes…if I’m going to make the effort and clean all the dishes, why not do so as few times as possible!
Exactly! 🙂
Yay for quick & easy! So excited about your new direction! I just had baby #4 so I am all about easy and quick! These look delish……can’t wait to try them ;).
Congrats on baby #4! I hope you enjoy these. 🙂
Made them with almond butter and no extra nuts and they STILL turned out amazing!! Like candy 🙂
Oooh I will have to try them with almond butter. 🙂 Thanks for letting me know you tried the recipe and enjoyed it!
Yum!!! I need to run to the store this week and I’m adding these ingredients to the list. Since Alicia has chosen a vegan lifestyle, I’m always looking for ways to make treats and meals that satisfy everyone. This looks like a winner!
Wow I didn’t realize Alicia became vegan. How long has she been vegan? Please let me know how everyone enjoys these!
I’m with you on the less ingredients. Who has the time to make elaborate meals every day? I wish I had the time, but between work, kids, husband, and life, simple, easy, and healthy is the way to go 🙂 These look delicious!!
The great thing is, so often simple food is the best tasting!