Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

I cannot stand it when I’m hungry, but I don’t have snacks readily available. I’m sure you’ve been the in the same boat before. Sure, I could run down to the grocery store and buy a box of crackers or a bag of potato chips, but it’s so easy and so much healthier to make snack a home.

That’s why whenever I’m traveling or just want a quick snack, I’ll grab one of these healthy homemade granola bars.

Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

You only have to cook once to have snacks for an entire week with these delicious maple peanut butter granola bars. They’re super convenient, and are an absolute must for busy school days or whenever you just need a quick snack.

Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

I used Peanut Butter and Co. Mighty Maple Peanut Butter for this recipe and it totally amped up the quality of the granola bars. But the awesome thing is—you can use any flavor of peanut butter you want to easily adapt the recipe to your taste!

Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

I love these granola bars. I have tried so many recipes trying to recreate the crunchy and toasty granola bar from the store that. But out of all of the recipes I’ve tried in the past year, none have compared to how amazing this recipe taste. There’s a big difference between a chewy, flavorless granola bar and a crunchy granola bursting with flavor and character.

Your kids will love you if you make these for them and pack it in their lunch. These granola bars are filling, and they’re full of flavor that kids love. Who doesn’t love peanut butter?

Here’s the recipe:

Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 16 large granola bars
 
Ingredients
  • 6 cups old fashioned oats
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup organic pure honey
  • ¼ cup organic apple juice
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ½ cup Peanut Butter & Co. Mighty Maple Peanut Butter
  • 3 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup puffed brown rice
  • 1 cup wheat germ
  • 2 tablespoons flax seeds
  • ¼ cup unsweetened coconut shreds
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. In a bowl, toss the oats with the coconut oil, melted butter and salt. Spread the mixture out on 2 baking sheets and toast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, making sure they don't burn. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  3. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F.
  4. In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, apple juice, molasses, and peanut butter. Heat the mixture slowly, stirring until all combined. Stir in the vanilla.
  5. Toss together the toasted oats, puffed brown rice, wheat germ, flax seeds, and coconut shreds. Pour in the sugar mixture, stirring as you pour. Toss to combine; it will be sticky!
  6. Press into 1 baking sheet (lined with foil or a silicone baking mat) and bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. Cut pieces with a sharp knife and remove from the pan.

Inspired by The Pioneer Woman

And if you’re a lover of the peanut butter/chocolate combo, feel free to sprinkle a 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips on top of the bars right after they come out of the oven. You’ll be glad you did.

Try my chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting next!

Healthier Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

Or my peanut butter chocolate energy bites!

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Energy Bites | Natural Chow

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Maple Peanut Butter Granola Bars | Natural Chow | http://naturalchow.com

Comments

  1. says

    These look great! PB and maple sound so good together and I definitely always need more healthy recipes. I love to have healthy baking ideas on hand. I know what you mean – I travel a lot for work and I have to spend time prepping snacks and food or I’ll just grab any old thing to eat. Not ideal! Haha. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

    • says

      Thanks so much Sarah! Peanut butter and maple are a surprisingly awesome combo! And these granola bars are super easy to make and are great to have on hand when you need a quick snack. :)

  2. says

    My family loves peanut butter and I love them to eat healthy snacks so I am definitely going to try these. Thank you for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy

  3. says

    YUM! These have so many of my fave flavors and ingredients in them, so I’m sure I would love, love, love these granola bars! Thank you so much for linking up at Snickerdoodle Sunday- hope to see you again on Saturday with your latest makes & bakes!

    Sarah (Sadie Seasongoods)

  4. says

    Great healthy recipe and I love that you used such a healthy peanut butter. I had never heard of that brand before but might try it. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & twitted.

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