Easy Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe

Homemade peanut butter granola bars are super easy to make and much healthier than the sugar-loaded ones you find in the grocery stores. With this no-bake recipe, you’ll ditch the preservatives and other undesirable ingredients while saving money and increasing the nutritional value of this go-to snack.

I have three boys – three teenage boys – who currently eat in a week what I eat in a month.

And they’re active boys. As mountain bikers they need a near-constant stream of healthy, filling snacks. And snacks that are high in protein and portable (to take on rides) are even better!

I make various high protein snacks such as my Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls that they love and devour.

And I have a few go-to favorites such as my No-Fail Healthy Zucchini Muffins that are great around the house.

But I also like to make snacks that are a little more portable – perfect for taking on rides or to your kiddo’s sports game or tournament.

So today, I’m sharing my peanut butter granola bars recipe. This recipe is super easy to make, tastes incredible, and uses wholesome ingredients. Plus, it’s really customizable, so you can change it up to fit your dietary needs or taste preferences!

These homemade granola bars are adult-approved and have a dreamy, chewy texture, too! I love to munch on them while I’m out at the mountain biking race course watching my kids race!

They also work well for school lunches, school snack, afternoon snack, or even a healthy breakfast for teens running out the door.

If you want more healthy snacks, try my Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Bites or Peanut Butter, Nutella, & Banana Sushi Rolls!

No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe Ingredients

You just need a few simple ingredients! Gather together these pantry staples:

• Rice Cereal – any brand
• Old-Fashioned Oats – also called rolled oats – make sure to verify they are gluten-free if you need gluten-free granola bars
• Brown Sugar – I like to use light brown sugar, but you could substitute maple syrup or honey
• Light Corn Syrup
• Vegetable Oil – olive, canola, coconut oil, or grapeseed oil are good substitutes
• Creamy Peanut Butter – I like to use Skippy Natural because it’s a no-stir variety
• Vanilla Extract
• Peanut Butter Chips – mini chocolate chips are tasty too

How To Make Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Step 1 – Mix Dry Ingredients

Combine oats and rice cereal in large mixing bowl until fully incorporated.

Step 2 – Make Peanut Butter Syrup

Add oil, corn syrup, vanilla and brown sugar in a medium saucepan on medium heat.

Stir constantly while bring the mixture to a boil. Allow to boil for 45 seconds and remove from heat.

Stir in peanut butter until syrup is smooth.

Step 3 – Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet Ingredients

Pour peanut butter mixture over the cereal and oat mixture. Stir carefully with a rubber spatula until dry ingredients are fully coated.

Step 4 – Spread Granola Mixture On Baking Sheet

Cover cookie sheet with parchment paper and pour cereal mixture onto the paper.

Spread oats and cereal mixture out to cover the whole cookie sheet.

Step 5 – Cover With Parchment Paper

With a second piece of parchment paper, place it over the mixture. Use a rolling pin to flatten the mixture and form one large bar.

Step 6 – Top Granola Bars With Chips

Sprinkle peanut butter chips on top of the baking sheet, cover with parchment paper and press down slightly to press chips into bar.

Step 7 – Cool And Cut Into Bars

Allow to cool at least 1 hour before removing from the sheet and cutting into bars the size that you desire. Enjoy your healthy granola bars!

Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe Notes And Tips

• Make it nut-free – Sunflower seed butter, almond butter, tahini, and granola butter are nut-free butters that can work for people with peanut or tree nut allergies.
• Make it higher in protein – Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or a scoop of powdered peanut butter to the peanut butter syrup.
• Make it free of refined sugar – replace the brown sugar with maple syrup or honey.
• Sprinkle with sea salt to enhance flavor.

Variations of Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars To Try

• If you on the adventurous side and want to try some alternatives to peanut butter, some of the lesser known butters such as chickpea, tiger nut, or hazelnut are interesting substitutes.

• Add a touch of fruity sweetness to your granola bars with dried fruit such as chopped apricots, cherries, dried blueberries, cranberries, chopped dates, or raisins.

• Switch up the flavor of chips you add in. Some delicious substitutes might include dark chocolate, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips.

• Drizzle melted chocolate over the top of the cut bars. YUM!

• Toss in some whole or chopped cashews, walnuts, or almonds for a delicious added crunch.

• I sometimes love to add in 1 or 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and or flaxseed meal (ground flaxseed) for added nutrition.

• Add coconut flakes! Either inside the peanut butter syrup or pressed on top.

• Toss in a few pepitas or sunflower seeds for some extra texture.

• Make a chocolate version! Add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to your peanut butter syrup before adding the oats. (NOTE: Don’t do this if adding protein powder)

Peanut Butter Granola Bar Recipe FAQs

Here are some answers to common questions I see readers ask about these Peanut Butter Granola Bars. If you have a question and don’t see it down below, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it for you!

More Incredibly Delicious and Healthy Snack Recipes to Try

• Quick & Easy Baked Air Fryer Apple Slices Recipe
• Pumpkin Oatmeal Bites
• Air Fryer Zucchini Sticks
• Easy Homemade Sweet Potato Hummus
• Healthy Homemade Strawberry Gummies (With Real Fruit)

Pin For Later!