No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Why settle for ordinary store-bought granola bars when you can make your own scrumptious version? My No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars are snack excellence, bar none!
Packed with the irresistible taste of creamy peanut butter and brimming with nutrition, these bars are perfect for any occasion. Whether your kids gobble them down while doing homework, studying, or before hitting the soccer field, they’re addictively satisfying and totally portable. And hey, they’re not just for little ones—my daughters each have a big stash in their freezer to enjoy with roommates and take to work, and my husband and I can’t get enough of them. Homemade bars are even better than store-bought because you get to control what goes in and what stays out. Plus, they earn extra credit points for being so simple to make (no baking required!). You oat to try ’em—they’ll set the bar pretty high come snack time.
Try this Energizing Trail Mix!
No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey
- ⅓ cup natural, no-sugar-added applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup roasted, salted peanuts, chopped
- ¼ cup chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on either side for easy removal when the bars are done. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, applesauce and vanilla. Stir with a rubber spatula or spoon until everything is well combined. It will look stringy at first, but will become smooth and velvety with continued mixing.
- Add in the oats, cinnamon, salt, chopped peanuts and optional chocolate chips and stir until everything is evenly dispersed and you create a stiff batter (you’ll give your arms a bit of a workout).
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan, and using your spatula or spoon, distribute the mixture evenly over the bottom. Then, take an extra piece of parchment paper and place it over the top so you can use your hands or the bottom of a glass or mug to pack the mixture down firmly and evenly.
- Peel off the top parchment paper, then reposition it loosely over the top and stash the baking pan in the freezer to allow them to firm, at least 1 hour to overnight. When they’re ready to slice, lift the parchment paper (and bars) out of the pan and cut into bars (make one slice down the center and 6 slices across).
- To store, wrap each bar individually so they don’t stick together and keep in the freezer (they will not freeze, they simply become more firm and remain deliciously chewy!)
I love this recipe Joy! Thank you!
It’s my go to snack that’s healthy and delicious…and no guilt! I have made it several times so I always have some on hand in my freezer.
We’re so thrilled to hear that you love them. Enjoy!
—Team Joy
Delicious! I used caned pumpkin instead of apple sauce and my whole family loved it! Keeps in the refrigerator nicely.
Great idea on the swap, and so glad you love them 🙂
—Team Joy
I made these No Bake Granola Bars they turned out so good that they were gone in two days. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe. I’ll be making more soon they energized me! 🙂
Hi Veronica. Thanks for the great review and so happy you love them as much as we do!
—Team Joy
We’ve made this recipe three times already. The bars are delicious and so healthy. I keep them in the freezer as you instructed and the texture is amazing (chilled, firm and chewy). Thank you!
Hi Leila. So glad you’re enjoying them! 🙂
—Team Joy
Hi – can you substitute Monk fruit sweetner for the applesauce?
Hi Christina. Joy hasn’t tested this recipe with monk fruit yet so we’re not sure. If you decide to give it a shot, we’d love to know how it turns out. Thanks for your interest!
—Team Joy
These are delicious. Because they are soft and gooey they are satisfying. Very easy to make.
Hi Kathy. We’re thrilled you’re enjoying them! In case you want to try them with a firmer texture, Joy actually prefers storing them in the freezer. They won’t freeze—they just become much more firm and chewy. It’s how the Bauers love them!
—Team Joy