When it comes to irresistible homemade snacks, it’s hard to beat the charm of Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars. Imagine everything you love in a chewy, chunky granola bar, blended with the classic flavors of a peanut butter cookie and generously studded with melty chocolate chips! These bars are that sweet spot between wholesome and treat, satisfying both snackers and dessert-lovers alike. Whether you’re meal-prepping breakfast, fixing after-school snacks, or bringing something share-worthy to a potluck, these bars will undoubtedly become a household favorite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars is their simplicity — each ingredient has a tasty, important job. With just a handful of pantry staples, every item delivers crunch, chew, or that crave-able cookie richness that sets these bars apart.
- Creamy peanut butter: Delivers richness, helps bind the bars, and brings that classic peanut butter flavor front and center.
- Honey or maple syrup: Naturally sweetens and gives a gooey, chewy bite; choose either depending on your preference or dietary needs.
- Coconut oil (melted): Adds a hint of tropical flavor, keeps the bars moist, and ensures a tender, satisfying texture.
- Large egg: Acts as a binder, holding the bars together while keeping them pleasantly soft.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with warm, aromatic comfort.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: Lend hearty structure and feel-good chew, plus that signature granola taste.
- Baking soda: Just a pinch helps the bars rise gently, ensuring they’re not overly dense.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and accentuates the peanut butter’s natural nuttiness.
- Mini chocolate chips: Gorgeous pops of chocolate in every bite — mini chips mean perfect distribution!
- Chopped peanuts or almonds (optional): For extra crunch and nutty flavor, toss these in if you’re feeling adventurous.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start things off right by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting a bit of paper overhang on two sides. This simple trick makes it a breeze to lift out your Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars for slicing once they’re cool — no crumbling edges or sticky messes!
Step 2: Whisk the Wet Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and whisk together the creamy peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and glossy. This creates the gooey backbone of the bars, blending sweetness, fat, and flavor so every bite is moist and irresistible.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
Stir in the rolled oats, baking soda, and salt right into that wet mixture. The oats soak up the rich base, adding that essential chewy texture. Make sure everything is evenly combined — you want every square inch of your bars to have both structure and flavor.
Step 4: Fold in the Mix-Ins
It’s time for the best part: fold in the mini chocolate chips and, if you love a little extra bite, the chopped peanuts or almonds. The chocolate chips melt into gooey little rivers as the bars bake, while nuts contribute crunch and a punch of flavor. Don’t over-mix here — just enough to get things evenly dispersed.
Step 5: Press and Bake
Transfer the thick dough to your prepared baking pan, pressing it down firmly and evenly. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to smooth the surface, making sure to reach all the corners. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is set. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible!
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let the bars cool completely in the pan. This is crucial — it allows them to firm up so you can cut perfect squares or bars without crumbling. Use the parchment to lift the whole slab out for slicing. Now comes the hardest part: waiting until cool before digging in! But trust me, it’s worth it for those clean, picture-perfect Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt or an extra handful of mini chocolate chips over the top while the bars are still warm. If you want to go all-out, a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a spoonful of peanut butter zig-zagged over each bar looks gorgeous and tastes even better!
Side Dishes
Pair these bars with a glass of icy cold milk, your favorite non-dairy milk, or even a bold cup of coffee. They also work beautifully alongside bowls of fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a tangy fruit salad for a snack spread that feels both indulgent and nourishing.
Creative Ways to Present
These bars stack up wonderfully for bake sales, lunchbox treats, or picnics. For parties, cut them into bite-sized squares and set them out on a lovely platter. They also make thoughtful edible gifts — simply wrap individually in parchment or pop into a mason jar tied with ribbon for a homemade touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars hold up beautifully at room temperature. Slide them into an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper, and they’ll stay soft and chewy on your countertop for up to 3 days. If your house gets warm, keeping them in the refrigerator extends freshness for about a week.
Freezing
Want to make a big batch or save some for a future craving? These bars freeze like a dream. Once fully cooled and sliced, layer them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between each layer. They’ll keep their perfect texture for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or in the fridge overnight before serving.
Reheating
If you love your Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars warm and extra gooey, pop a bar into the microwave for 8–10 seconds. This softens the bar and makes the chocolate chips wonderfully melty again. Frozen bars can be defrosted and reheated the same way for that just-baked coziness.
FAQs
Can I make these bars vegan?
Absolutely! Just use maple syrup in place of honey and swap in a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) for the egg. The texture stays chewy, and the flavor is still spot-on!
Are these bars gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free rolled oats, these Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars are naturally gluten-free. Always check your ingredient labels if food sensitivities are a concern.
What if I don’t have coconut oil?
No worries at all! You can substitute melted butter or any mild-flavored oil, such as canola or light olive oil. Each will give a slight flavor variation but still result in delicious, moist bars.
Can I add other mix-ins?
Definitely — this recipe is wonderfully flexible. Try adding shredded coconut, dried cranberries or cherries, sunflower seeds, or a scoop of chia seeds for little twists in taste and texture. Just keep total add-ins to about 3/4 cup so the bars hold together well.
How do I get cleaner cuts when slicing the bars?
The key is patience! Let the bars cool completely before lifting them out of the pan. Use a sharp serrated knife, cleaning it between cuts, for those neat, bakery-style edges.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for that perfect snack or dessert bar, these Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars should be at the very top of your baking list. They’re a crowd-pleasing favorite you’ll reach for again and again — go ahead and whip up a batch, then share the love (or keep a secret stash for yourself!). Once you try them, you’ll know why they keep disappearing from the treat jar!
Print
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious and wholesome Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola Cookie Bars that make a perfect treat for any time of the day. Packed with the goodness of oats, peanut butter, and a hint of chocolate, these bars are a delightful blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (melted)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or almonds (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter, honey, melted coconut oil, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Stir in oats, baking soda, and salt until combined. Fold in chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
- Bake: Press the dough into the pan and bake for 18–22 minutes until golden.
- Cool and slice: Allow to cool in the pan before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For a vegan version, use maple syrup and a flax egg.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- Add shredded coconut, dried fruit, or seeds for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
