Name: Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars - Easy Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 3 h 45 min
Yield: 12-16 bars
Ingredients: 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (ensure certified gluten-free if required); ¾ cup natural peanut butter; ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup; 2 whole large eggs (or 2 flax eggs for vegan option); ½ cup mini chocolate chips; Pinch of salt (optional, omit if peanut butter is salted); ½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds; ¼ cup chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds; ½ cup dried fruit, chopped if large

Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars are more than just a snack; they’re a hug in edible form! If you’ve ever craved that perfect balance of chewy texture, rich peanut butter flavor, and wholesome goodness, then you’re in the right place. These aren’t your average crum extractbly, overly sweet granola bars. What truly makes them special is their incredibly tender, almost cake-like interior, lovingly studded with crunchy oats and swirls of creamy peanut butter. They’re the ultimate antidote to midday slumps, the ideal on-the-go breakfast, or a delightful post-workout reward. We adore them because they deliver pure, unadulterated peanut butter bliss without a hint of artificiality. Get ready to discover your new favorite homemade treat that will have everyone asking for the recipe for these irresistible Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars.

Ingredients:

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (ensure they are certified gluten-free if required for dietary needs)
¾ cup natural peanut butter (creamy or crunchy, your preference! Ensure it’s the natural kind with just peanuts and maybe salt for the best texture and flavor)
⅓ cup honey or maple syrup (use your favorite sweetener, honey will provide a slightly richer flavor, while maple syrup offers a distinct autumnal note)
2 whole large eggs (for a vegan alternative, prepare two “flax eggs” by whisking together 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with 6 tablespoons of water and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until gelled)
½ cup mini chocolate chips (or regular sized, but mini ones distribute more evenly)
Pinch of salt (this is optional and depends on whether your peanut butter is already salted. Taste your peanut butter first!)
½ cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds (or a mix! Choose your favorite nuts for added crunch and healthy fats)
¼ cup chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds (or a blend of these for extra texture and nutritional boost)
½ cup dried fruit, chopped if large (cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, or cherries all work wonderfully!)

Preparing the Base for Your Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars

Mixing the Wet Ingredients

Begin extract by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While the oven heats, prepare your baking pan. I recommend lining an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This makes it incredibly easy to lift the entire block of granola bars out once they’re baked and cooled, allowing for clean cutting. If you don’t have parchment paper, you can grease the pan well with butter or cooking spray, but parchment is truly a game-changer for this recipe.
In a large mixing bowl, combine your natural peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and the two whole eggs (or your prepared flax eggs). Whisk these ingredients together vigorously until they are thoroughly combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy. You want to ensure there are no streaks of egg or unmixed sweetener. The goal here is a homogenous base that will bind all the dry ingredients together. If your peanut butter is a little stiff, gently warming it for a few seconds in the microwave can make it easier to incorporate.
Once your wet ingredients are well combined, it’s time to introduce the salt, if you’re using it. Remember, taste your peanut butter first! If it’s already got a good amount of salt, you can skip this step entirely to avoid over-salting. Add a small pinch and whisk it in. The salt helps to enhance all the other flavors in the granola bars, especially the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the peanut butter.

Incorporating the Dry Goodness

gin extract>Bringing it All Together

Now for the stars of the show: the dry ingredients! Add the old-fashioned rolled oats to the wet mixture. Follow with the chopped nuts of your choice (walnuts, pecans, or almonds), your selected seeds (chia, sunflower, or pumpkin), and the chopped dried fruit. Gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a sturdy spoon or spatula. Be thorough but don’t overmix. You want to ensure every oat and every piece of fruit and nut is coated in the peanut butter mixture. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect soft-baked texture and even distribution of all the wonderful add-ins. Resist the urge to add more liquid; the eggs and sweetener should be enough to bind everything.
Finally, gently fold in the mini chocolate chips. Again, a gentle folding motion is key to prevent breaking the chocolate chips and to ensure they are dispersed throughout the mixture rather than clumped in one spot. If you prefer more chocolate in each bite, feel free to add a tablespoon or two more, but ½ cup is a good starting point for even distribution.

Baking and Finishing Touches

The Transformation

Transfer the mixture from the bowl into your prepared baking pan. Use your spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture down evenly into the pan. This is a vital step for ensuring your granola bars hold their shape and have a nice, dense texture. Press firmly and try to get the surface as level as possible. A compact mixture will bake more uniformly and slice cleanly. Don’t worry if it looks a little crum extractbly; that’s the nature of oats!
Place the pan in your preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for the edges to be lightly golden brown and the center to be set, meaning it’s no longer wet or gooey. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool, so it’s better to err on the side of slightly underbaked than overbaked if you’re aiming for truly soft-baked bars. Keep an eye on them during the last 5-10 minutes of baking, as oven temperatures can vary. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent it with aluminum foil.
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling process is just as important as the baking. Allowing the bars to cool thoroughly will allow them to set up properly and make slicing much easier and cleaner. Rushing this step will likely resrum extract in crumbly bars that fall apart. I usually leave them to cool for at least 2-3 hours, or even overnight if I can be patient! Once completely cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut them into your desired bar size. I typically get about 12-16 bars from an 8×8 pan. Store these delicious soft-baked peanut butter granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate for longer storage.

Conclusion:

There you have it – a simple yet incredibly satisfying recipe for Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars! We’ve walked through each step to create these chewy, wholesome treats that are perfect for breakfast on the go, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a healthier dessert option. The combination of oats, peanut butter, and a touch of sweetness creates a truly delightful flavor profile that is sure to become a household favorite. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make these bars your own!

For serving, these Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars are delicious on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with a glass of cold milk, a cup of coffee, or even a dollop of yogurt. Try crum extractbling them over ice cream for a textural contrast, or pack them into lunchboxes for a homemade surprise.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Feel free to add in your favorite mix-ins! Chocolate chips, dried fruit like cranberries or raisins, chopped nuts, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon can all elevate your Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars to a new level. If you have dietary restrictions, consider using honey or maple syrup for a vegan option, and gluten-free oats if needed.

We encourage you to give this recipe a try. Baking these Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars is a rewarding experience, and the aroma that fills your kitchen is simply wonderful. Enjoy the process and savor the delicious results!

FAQs

Can I make these Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars store wonderfully. Once cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week for extended freshness.

My Soft-Baked Peanut Butter Granola Bars arerum extractbit crumbly. What went wrong?

A few things could crum extractribute to a crumbly texture. Ensure you’re pressing the mixture firmly into the pan before baking. Also, overbaking can dry them out. Keep an eye on them and remove them when the edges are lightly golden and the center looks set, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.