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These thick and chewy no bake chocolate peanut butter granola bars are made with a few basic ingredients. They do not require baking and are great for kids and adults!
Homemade granola bars are easy to make! They taste fresher than store bought and don’t even require you to turn on the oven. This no bake snack is great any time of the year. They are loaded with flavor and are a great way to satisfy your craving for sweets.
Ingredients You Need
- Old Fashioned Oats: You can substitute with quick cook oats in a pinch.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is best, but crunchy works too.
- Coconut Oil: This helps solidify the bars so you don’t have to bake them. No substitutions are recommended.
- Peanuts: You can omit or swap with another type of nut, if desired.
- Honey: This is the sweetener. You can reduce the amount of honey slightly, if desired. You can substitute for maple syrup.
- Chocolate Chips: You can use any type of chocolate chips, but semisweet are preferred.
Steps to Make Granola Bars
- Combine peanut butter, honey and 1/2 cup of the coconut oil in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Stir until smooth and completely melted.
- Remove the pan from the heat.
- Stir in the oats and peanuts.
- Pour the mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish lined with parchment paper. Press down firmly with the back of a spatula. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top, pressing down lightly with the back of a spoon. Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm then slice into small bars.
Chocolate Drizzle
- To make the chocolate drizzle, melt semisweet chocolate chips and one teaspoon of coconut oil in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmer water or use this double boiler.
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars and allow them to set.
Storage Tips
Store the granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator with wax paper or parchment paper separating the layers. They will stay fresh for up to 7 days.
To freeze the bars, place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the bars at room temperature before serving.
Tips to Make Homemade Granola Bars
- Use parchment paper to prevent the bars from sticking.
- Press down firmly with the back of a spatula. This helps ensure the bars are well formed.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This ensures the bars firm up. Do not skip this step.
- To make the bars vegan substitute the honey for maple syrup.
These chewy chocolate chip granola bars are a fun homemade snack that everyone loves. Try them yourself and let us know what you think!
Other Homemade Snack Recipes
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup + 1 teaspoon coconut oil, divided
- 2 3/4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium pot set over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey, and 1/2 cup coconut oil.
- Stir until smooth and completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir in oats and peanuts.
- Pour mixture into baking dish, spreading an even layer and pressing down firmly with the back of a spatula. Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until cool.
- Remove from fridge and sprinkle mini chocolate chips over the top of the mixture, pressing down lightly with the back of a spoon to set in granola. Return to refrigerator and chill 2 hours or until firm. Slice into small bars and remove from pan.
- Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips and one teaspoon coconut oil in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Drizzle melted chocolate over bars and let set.
- Store granola bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator with wax paper separating the layers.
Notes
- Old Fashioned Oats: You can substitute with quick cook oats in a pinch.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is best, but crunchy works too.
- Coconut Oil: This helps solidify the bars so you don’t have to bake them. No substitutions are recommended.
- Peanuts: You can omit or swap with another type of nut, if desired.
- Honey: This is the sweetener. You can reduce the amount of honey slightly, if desired. You can substitute for maple syrup.
- Chocolate Chips: You can use any type of chocolate chips, but semisweet are preferred.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe was originally published March 2014. It was updated with new photos and tips in January 2021.
I buy granola bars in bulk because we go through them so quickly! I am really excited to have found this quick and easy recipe that the kiddos could even make for themselves!
This is such a great way to save money and to know exactly what I am feeding my family! They are even better than store bought and I love that it makes a big batch!
I’m not a big fan of coconut oil. Is there a substitute?
HI, Kim! You could use butter. I haven’t tested this recipe with butter but it should work. Enjoy!
Hi, I’m wondering what kind/type of peanut butter you use? I find that it can make a difference in the bars ability to stay together. Thanks, for sharing, can’t wait to try it out!
Hi, Robin! I use natural peanut butter in all of my recipes, so any brand that only contains a few ingredients – peanuts and salt.
They are delicious. Made them with my daughter. She does not like coconut oil so we used olive oil. The taste is divine. However, they didn’t set up well. Any suggestions?
Hi, Anna! I am glad to hear that you liked them. Using olive oil will yield an entirely different consistency. The coconut oil is necessary because it helps them set up and harden into bars.
I made these last week. They were delicious, loved the creamy texture!! My husband and two sons (ten and three) really enjoyed these. Making them again. Great snack to have on hand!
I am so glad to hear that you and your family loved them! Thanks so much for stopping by, Elaine!