I eat sweets in moderation, because I can't give it up! *shudder that thought!* That's why I'm bring out the 'big guns' with these No Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Bars! Who's with me?!
These chocolate chip and peanut butter loaded bars are a great option to satisfy your sweet tooth. They are home-made, healthy and they taste amazing. Great for a healthy snack anytime of the day or breakfast on the go.
Hope your New Year was happy and safe! Are you following the infamous "eating healthier" resolution, like pretty much everyone else that over-indulged over these last couple months of holidays? Yup, me too. The best part about these bars is they only take 10 minutes to make! Woohoo!
These homemade granola bars are loaded with wholesome ingredients like creamy peanut butter
Ingredients You Need
- old-fashioned rolled oats
or gluten-free oats
- Rice Krispies cereal
or gluten free brand
- creamy peanut butter
or any nut butter
- roasted unsalted or raw almonds or peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, roughly chopped
- mini dark chocolate chips
- honey
- vanilla extract
How to Make Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Line 9x9″ pan with parchment paper or tin foil leaving excess on each side for lifting
- Combine pulsed oats, chopped almonds and Rice Krispies in a large bowl and mix well and set aside.
- Combine peanut butter and honey together and microwave on high for 1 minute, remove and stir.
- Microwave for another minute. Stir in vanilla and stir until well incorporated.
- Pour microwaved mixture over dry mixture and incorporate evenly.
- Pour into prepared pan and press down to form an even layer. (I use the back of a measuring cup to pack it down).
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over top.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Remove from pan using parchment paper and cut into squares.
- Transfer bars to sealed container.
More Options for Bars
- If you want these gluten free, you can make these gluten free by substituting with gluten free ingredients that you already use, changing them out with the same measurements in the recipe.
- For vegan, use dairy-free chocolate chips, like Enjoy Life
. Replace honey with maple syrup
.
- Also add in flavorful add-ins like flax seeds
, chia seeds
, candies
, nuts
and dried fruits
.
- Change out the peanut butter out for other nut butters like almond butter
or cashew butter
. If you're allergic to nuts, try this Sun Butter
.
Storing Peanut Butter Granola Bars
These bars can be stored at room temperature for 1 week or in the fridge for 2 weeks.
Freezing Granola Bars
Freeze bars for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.
These homemade Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Bars will give you a positive boost for your 2017 resolutions for eating healthier, while still indulging delicious! That is the goal!! 🙂
Getting Healthier Options!
- 7 Slimming Shakes & Smoothies To Get Healthy
- Easy Fruit Granola Bars
- Sugar-Free Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies
- Yummy Chocolate Granola Bars – Healthy & No Bake too
- Homemade Energy Bars
- Healthy Strawberry Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Chocolate Caramel Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
- 5 DIY No Bake Bars - Easy Recipes
No-Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Bar
Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats pulsed in a food processor or blender for 5-6 seconds
- 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal or gluten free brand
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter or any nut butter
- ½ cup roasted unsalted or raw almonds or peanuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup mini dark chocolate chips
- ½ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line 9x9″ pan with parchment paper or tin foil leaving excess on each side for lifting
- Combine pulsed oats, chopped almonds and Rice Krispies in a large bowl and mix well and set aside.
- Combine peanut butter and honey together and microwave on high for 1 minute, remove and stir.
- Microwave for another minute. Stir in vanilla and stir until well incorporated.
- Pour microwaved mixture over dry mixture and incorporate evenly.
- Pour into prepared pan and press down to form an even layer. (I use the back of a measuring cup to pack it down).
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over top.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Remove from pan using parchment paper and cut into squares.
Notes
Kim Lange says
Ally, I believe 10 bars, but it depends how big you want to make them, if you are making squares or bars size you want. Hope that helps! 🙂
Ally says
Thank you. My last question is how many bars does this recipe make? I meant to ask earlier, but forgot 🙂
Kim Lange says
Sure, just until everything is melted on low medium heat. NO problem at all Ally!
Ally says
Thank you. I was also wondering if I could heat the honey, peanut butter, butter, and Nutella on the stove and if so, how long should I heat it for? I prefer to use the stove over the microwave.
Thank you again 🙂
Kim Lange says
Sure you can try that combination. Brown sugar will make it sweeter, so you might want to use half that amount. Just try it and if you need more binder to make it stick together add more honey, nutella or peanut butter as needed once you mix it all up. They aren't overly sweet as is.
Ally says
Sorry, if my wording was confusing, I meant to ask if I could substitute half of the honey for 1/4 cup brown sugar (essentially 1/4 cup brown sugar and 1/4 cup honey). Also, I have another question if I wanted to add Nutella to the recipe (pardon me if I already asked this), could I reduce the honey to 1/3 cup and do 1/3 cup Nutella, 2/3 cup peanut butter, and 3 tbsp butter. I don't want the bars to be too sweet, so I would like to reduce the honey since Nutella is already sweetened, but am not sure if the texture would be affected. Thank you for you help 🙂
Kim Lange says
Hi Ally! You could sub 1 cup of the chopped pretzels for 1 cup of the rice krispies. If you add brown sugar, you may want to add some more peanut butter. You don't have to refrigerate, except to set them for 30 minutes. Don't overmeasure on the oats. 🙂 Enjoy!!
Ally says
Hello,
I would like to make these bars, but was wondering if they hold at room temperature or need to be refrigerated. Also, could I add 1 cup chopped pretzels to these- what adjustments would I need to make and have them still hold and be chewy? Also, are these bars very sweet/have very strong honey flavor? Could I substitute 1/4 cup brown sugar and honey?
Thank you.
ChocolaTess says
Thank you Sarah!! xoxo
Sarah says
Yummy
ChocolaTess says
Oh yes for sure Kelly! They're healthy, quick, delicious and having peanut butter and chocolate is a plus! 🙂
Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says
I definitely need to make these! School is starting here soon and these would be perfect in packed lunches and for after school snacks! Xoxo
ChocolaTess says
Awesome! You are very welcome and wishing you a wonderful 2017 as well! 🙂
2pots2cook says
OK. I'm with you Kim. Thank you for sharing and have a happy and prosperous 2017. !