4-Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars

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These deliciously easy 4-ingredient peanut butter granola bars with chocolate chips are perfect for breakfast on the go! With just 30 minutes you can have a week’s worth of an easy breakfast.

These super easy granola bars were a hit with my whole family. From the picky 7 year old to the picky 35 year old, they kept coming back for more. Finding something that appeals to everyone is a struggle in my house, but this recipe is just that good. It’s also infinitely customizable, so you can definitely find something your family will like!

This easy recipe combines a chewy texture with the perfect sweetness levels. The little bursts of melted chocolate are the icing on the cake!

What’s in homemade granola bars?

These healthy granola bars are made with wholesome ingredients you can find in your own pantry!

Oats: I think these come out when you use quick oats, but you can use rolled oats, steel-cut, or old-fashioned oats. Each of these changes the texture of the recipe, so it really comes down to what you prefer!
Peanut Butter: This recipe has been tested with both regular peanut butter and natural peanut butter, and it works both ways! You can also use almond butter or even sun butter to make these more allergy friendly. The only thing to worry about is to make sure that you are using creamy rather than crunchy peanut butter.
Honey: This adds some lovely sweetness to the recipe and helps hold the bars together. This can be subbed for either maple syrup or Karo syrup. Both subs will change the flavor, but not the texture, of the bars.
Chocolate Chips: I love regular ol’ semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe, but feel free to play around: dark chocolate, white chocolate, peanut butter, or even cinnamon chips all work here!

Making easy granola bars

Step 1 | Mix It Up

In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips. Mix them together. This is going to be very thick — you can use some elbow grease and a wooden spoon, or be a wimp like me and use a stand mixer or hand mixer.

Step 2 | Tamp It Down

Next, line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper. This will help you remove the bars in one piece after they’ve baked.

Spread your oat mixture into an even layer in the prepared baking pan. I use my finger to press the dough into the corners.

Once it’s evenly spread out, you’re going to smash it down flat. I put a another piece of parchment paper over the top of the bars and used a meat tenderizer to press it in hard. You can do this with anything heavy — soup cans work really well. Do NOT skip this step. If you do, your bars will be crumbly and won’t hold together.

Step 3 | Bake

Once you’ve got your granola bars adequately smooshed, you can put them in the oven at 350° for 10-12 minutes. They should look golden and be firm to the touch.

Step 4 | Cool and Cut

Before you cut your bars, make sure they’re completely cooled. I throw them in the freezer for about 15 minutes, which cools them enough to cut well. If you cut before they’ve completely cooled, they’ll break and crumble. If you wait, you’ll get perfectly formed bars that look a lot like store-bought granola bars.

I used a sharp knife to cut them into 10 bars of about 1 1/2 inches each. That’s the perfect size for breakfast!

Tips

If you don’t like the feel of the oatmeal in this recipe, you can pulse the oats a few times in a food processor to make the piece a little smaller.
Before you tamp down the granola mixture, you can add a few chocolate chips to the top of the mixture to get a nice even distribution.

Substitutions

This recipe is a fantastic base that allows for quite a few substitutions. You can create entirely new flavors and variations depending on what you choose to change!

For the peanut butter: You can use any nut butter or seed butter here, which means you can create almond or cashew flavored bar bases to combine with your favorite add-ins. Sun butter allows this recipe to be a nut-free option for those with allergies!
For the honey: Karo syrup (light or dark), maple syrup, and brown rice syrup will all work in this recipe, and each lends a different flavor to your bars.
As add-ins: Mix-in options is where you can really get creative! If you can mix it into a cookie, you can use it here. Consider dried fruit, other types of chips (peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon, etc), coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, vanilla extract, pumpkin seeds, or even candy bar pieces!

More Easy Breakfasts

FAQs

Can I use rolled oats or quick oats for the recipe?

Either rolled oats or quick oats can be used for homemade granola bars. Rolled oats will give a chewier texture, while quick oats may result in a slightly softer texture.

How should I store homemade granola bars?

Store homemade granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to two weeks or freeze them for up to three months. Make sure to separate the layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Can I make these granola bars gluten-free?

Yes, you can make gluten-free granola bars by using certified gluten-free oats and ensuring that all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Are these granola bars vegan?

Not as written. This homemade granola bar recipe can be made vegan-friendly by using vegan chocolate chips and ensuring that the honey (if used) is replaced with a vegan-friendly sweetener such as maple syrup or agave syrup.