Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars (No Bake)
Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars (No Bake) are a homemade granola bar recipe made with oats, honey, chocolate chips, and browned butter for a soft chewy texture and easy refrigerator prep. Old-fashioned oats, creamy peanut butter, crispy rice cereal, and honey come together to create tender lunchbox-ready snack bars that stay soft without turning hard or crumbly.
Servings: 18
Calories: 256kcal
Equipment
- 9x13 pan or shallow tray
- Parchment paper
- Medium saucepan
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rubber spatula
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅔ cup creamy peanut butter sweetened or non-oily unsweetened variety
- ½ cup honey
- ⅓ cup packed light brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 pan or shallow tray with parchment paper. Leave overhang on the sides for easy removal if possible.
- Add the butter to a medium saucepan over low to medium heat.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until the butter foams and develops golden brown bits on the bottom of the pan and smells warm and nutty, about 3–4 minutes. Browned butter can burn quickly near the end, so keep stirring once it begins foaming.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the peanut butter, honey, and brown sugar directly into the browned butter.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring frequently, until smooth and fully combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, crispy rice cereal, salt, and cinnamon. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until evenly coated. Allow the mixture to cool for about 5 to 10 minutes before folding in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly into an even layer. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or spatula to compact the mixture tightly.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper and slice into long rectangular granola bars.
Video
Notes
Cooking Notes
Brown the butter just until golden and nutty for the best homemade flavor without bitterness. Press the bars firmly into the pan, so they hold together cleanly after chilling. Let the mixture cool slightly before adding chocolate chips so they keep their shape.
Tips for Best Results
- Brown the butter slowly and stir frequently once it foams.
- Compress the mixture firmly using a measuring cup or spatula.
- Let the warm mixture cool slightly before adding chocolate chips.
- Chill the bars completely before slicing for cleaner edges.
Nutrition
Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 77mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 84IU | Vitamin C: 0.05mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg
