My sister-in-law introduced me to these granola bars with lots of peanut butter and chocolate soon after we got married. I like to make these for when we travel because they are filling and not as messy as some snacks for the kids. While these granola bars aren’t exactly the healthiest granola bars on the planet, I would argue that they taste better than any I have ever tried and also that they are homemade, so at least you know what the ingredients are and can adapt them to your taste and dietary preference.
Some other healthy snack options you may enjoy are 3 ingredient cherry popsicles, maple cinnamon fruit salad or peanut butter protein balls.
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Best Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Bars
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 5 cups old fashioned oats (not quick cook)
- 4 1/2 cups rice Krispies cereal
- 1 package graham crackers crushed *see note for gf alternatives.
- 1 1/2 cups angel flaked coconut
- 1 cup broken pecans or walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Ingredients to melt:
- 3/4 cup salted butter
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil can use olive oil
- 2- 10 oz. bags regular sized marshmallows
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/3 cup honey
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Set aside for now.
- Place butter and oil into a 4–5-quart pot. Add marshmallows, peanut butter and honey, then melt over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom.
- Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the dry ingredients and fold in gently but thoroughly until the dry ingredients are adequately covered. Fold in chocolate chips *see note.
- Working quickly, press the warm granola bar mixture evenly into a greased 13 by 18-inch baking sheet with sides. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over top if desired. Allow the bars to cool completely, then cut as desired and serve. Storage notes, step by step photos and tips below.
Notes
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Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Set aside for now.
Can I add and/or subtract some of the ingredients?
Yes, you certainly can. The oats, peanut butter, marshmallows, butter, oil and Rice Krispies work as binders so I would recommend keeping those in place. But, if you wanted to substitute in other ingredients for the remaining dry ingredients, you can, just be sure to keep the amounts of the dry and wet ingredients roughly the same so that the texture doesn’t change too much. Agave can be used instead of honey, and I believe you could even use maple syrup instead but haven’t tried it personally. Fruit can be used instead of chocolate chips if you are looking to make these bars slightly healthier. You can also use plant-based butter and chocolate chips to make this recipe dairy free.
Step 2: Place butter and oil into a 4–5-quart pot. Add marshmallows, peanut butter and honey, then melt over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom.
Tip: Place butter and oil on the bottom of the pot and give them a head start on melting before adding the marshmallows, peanut butter and honey.
Step 3: Pour the melted marshmallow mixture over the dry ingredients and fold in gently but thoroughly until the dry ingredients are adequately covered. Fold in chocolate chips.
Note on adding chocolate chips to the warm granola bar mixture:
Because you need to work quickly during this step and do not want to wait until the granola mixture cools off and stiffens, which makes it more difficult to press into the baking sheet, the chocolate chips may melt as they are folded into the granola mixture. I have noticed some chocolate chips melt faster than other brands (such as the Toll House chocolate chips I use). If you wish to keep smears of chocolate out of your granola bars, you can sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the bars once the bars have cooled for about 10 minutes.
Step 4: Working quickly, press the warm granola bar mixture evenly into a greased 13 by 18-inch baking sheet with sides. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips over top if desired.
Last but not least, Allow the bars to cool completely, then cut as desired and serve.
Storage notes:
These granola bars store really well and last for a week or more in the pantry if kept in an airtight container. Of course, they are even better the first couple days while still fresh. If desired, you can also freeze them in an airtight container for several months.
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