Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Servings: 12 bars

Cook Time: 30

These Peanut Butter Granola Bars make for an easy breakfast on the run, a snack, or a filling addition to the lunchbox.

4.97 from 29 votes

2 cups rolled oats, divided
1 cup rice crispies
½ cup brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
2 cups add-ins (like nuts, chocolate chips, dried fruit), mix & match your favorites
⅓ cup peanut butter, or nut-free butter
6 tablespoons melted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
¼ cup honey, maple syrup or brown rice syrup
1 tablespoon water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper or grease it generously with oil or nonstick spray.
Place ⅓ cup of oats in a blender or food processor and blend until they turn into flour. Transfer the oat flour into a large bowl.

To the large bowl with the oat flour, add the rest of the oats, rice crispies, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and your 2 cups of dried fruit, nuts, and/or chocolate chips.
In a medium bowl whisk together peanut butter, melted butter, vanilla, honey, and water.
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and with a wooden spoon, mix and combine.
Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, pressing firmly. Use a large piece of parchment paper or plastic wrap to make the process less sticky.

Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown along the edges. These will still be soft when they come out of the oven, almost like they are underbaked.
Allow the pan and the bars to cool down completely. Once fully cool, use a knife to cut a row of bars. If they seem a bit crumbly, refrigerate for 30 mintues to help them set.

Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap or cover the pan. Keep them on the counter for 3 days or in the fridge for a week. I do not recommend freezing them.