These no-bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars are the BEST homemade granola bars! They are easy to make and SO much better than store bought! They are satisfying, sweet, and a great grab and go snack!
Best Homemade Granola Bars
Do your kids go through snacks like crazy? My boys are constantly asking for snacks, they are always hungry. I try to always have homemade granola bars in the fridge for them to snack on. These granola bars are easy to make and made with basic pantry ingredients. They are satisfying, sweet, and taste so much better than store bought granola bars. I think I love them just as much as the boys:)
These are our favorite granola bars because we LOVE peanut butter and chocolate together. You can’t go wrong with that combo! They are no-bake granola bars so they don’t take long to make and even the kids can help! YAY!
Granola bars are a great snack for hikes, road trips, lunchboxes, picnics, or every day snacking at home.
Healthy Granola Bars
I love making granola bars at home because I know exactly what ingredients I’m including! No mysterious or hard-to-pronounce things in these bars. These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars have a flavor that feels indulgent and sweet, but they are full of nutrition thanks to the peanut butter, flaxseed, oats, and chia seeds! And don’t worry, the kids won’t even know it because they taste so good! A win-win!
Granola Bar Ingredients
The granola bar ingredients are simple! I keep these ingredients in my pantry so I’m ready to make homemade granola bars anytime!
- Coconut oil
- Peanut butter (I use organic creamy peanut butter, just peanuts and salt)
- Honey
- Pure vanilla extract
- Quick oats
- Crispy rice cereal
- Coconut flakes
- Flaxseed meal
- Chia seeds
- Sea salt
- Mini chocolate chips
How to Make Granola Bars
This is such a quick snack to make! I love having these bars on hand for lunches, snacks, or even an after-dinner treat. You don’t have to bake them, but you do need to chill them before cutting so keep that in mind before you get started.
- We’re making these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars in an 8×8 baking pan. I like to line mine with parchment paper so they lift right out. Set that aside for now!
- Melt the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. This should take 30-50 seconds, and then stir in the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Keep stirring until everything is nice and smooth!
- Add the dry ingredients: oats, crispy rice cereal, coconut, flaxseed, chia seeds, and salt. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
- Now we press it into the 8×8! Use your hands to press it into the pan, making sure you get it evenly into the corners. You can use the bottom of a glass jar to continue packing the bars down. This helps the bars hold their shape.
- Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least an hour (or even overnight!) before cutting into them. This is another step that helps the bars stick together!
- When you’re ready to enjoy, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into bars.
Getting Homemade Granola Bars to Stick Together
This is the number one problem with homemade granola bars–they can be too crumbly! I have a few tricks for granola bars that hold their shape.
First, I like to use quick oats instead of old fashioned oats. They hold the bars together better than old fashioned oats. If you only have old fashioned oats, pulse them in the food processor a few times and then they will be good to go!
Next, make sure you really press the bars in the pan so they are solid pushed together.
Lastly, make sure you refrigerate the granola bars for at least an hour, but up to overnight, to really let them set before cutting. Use a sharp knife to cut them into bars or squares.
Granola Bar Variations
There are so many ways to customize these bars to your family’s preference!
- You can use any nut butter you like! Almond butter or cashew butter are great options. For a nut-free option, use sunflower butter. Just make sure the nut butter is creamy and stirred well before using.
- You can add in chopped up nuts if you want a little crunch! Just make sure the nuts are chopped up in small pieces.
- Use mini M&Ms instead of mini chocolate chips! A kid favorite and the pop of color is fun!
- If you’d rather not use chocolate chips you can substitute raisins or dried cranberries.
How to Store
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, just make sure they are tightly covered. You can also freeze the granola bars for up to one month. I love having them on hand for a grab and go snack!
More Granola Bar Recipes:
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Line a 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Put the coconut oil in a large microwave safe bowl. Melt in the microwave for 30 to 50 seconds. Remove the bowl from the microwave and add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth. Add the oats, crispy rice cereal, coconut, flaxseed, chia seeds, and salt. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press down with your hands and then use the bottom of a glass or jar to press the mixture firmly until the bars are packed down in the pan. This will help them hold together.
Cover the bars with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour or overnight before cutting them. When ready to cut, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into bars or squares.
The bars will keep covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 10 days. You can wrap them individually with plastic wrap and keep them in a freezer bag or freezer container for up to 1 month.
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 254 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 9g45%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 152mg6%
Potassium 166mg5%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 11g12%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 10IU0%
Calcium 30mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Photos by Molly
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