5-ingredient Peanut Butter Granola Bars (gluten-free)

These homemade peanut butter granola bars are made with just 5 ingredients! They’re vegan, gluten-free and a healthier version of the store bought ones. Plus they’re a great snack to keep in your freezer.

Skip the grocery store granola bars friends! These are incredibly easy to make and much healthier than the sugar loaded ones on shelves. You’ll save money AND increase the nutritional value of your favorite snack.

Most granola bars on shelves are filled with refined sugars, preservatives and loaded with not so good ingredients. And sure – once in awhile it’s fine. But as someone who loves to snack and LOVES granola bars – I much prefer my homemade version.

These remind me of chewy granola bars and I used to eat those DAILY! They were a staple. Now we can make our own and they are incredibly delicious and made with healthier ingredients as well.

Kids absolutely love these and they are adult approved too. And if you are someone who lives for easy recipes that don’t require much effort, you will obsess over these peanut butter granola bars too.

 I can’t wait to hear what you think of these!

What ingredients are in these healthy peanut butter granola bars:

• Creamy peanut butter – ingredients should be just peanuts and salt! Otherwise the texture of the peanut butter may not work as well and bar consistency will be compromised 
• Maple syrup or honey – either sugar option works. But not coconut sugar – needs to be liquid
• Vanilla extract – for flavor, always!
• Gluten-free rolled oats – or use regular rolled oats if not gluten-free
• Chopped nuts or seeds – peanuts, cashews, pumpkin or sunflower seeds all work well
• Chopped dark chocolate – you can use chocolate chips, your favorite chocolate bar, cacao nibs or anything!

How to make your own granola bars:

1. Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside or use one of these bar molds
2. In a large bowl, mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract
3. Add in sea salt, oats, nuts, chocolate chips and mix until fully combined
4. Add mixture to baking dish and press down firmly with hands and/or spatula 
5. Place dish in freezer to set for at least 1 hour then remove from freezer
6. Pull up the parchment paper on the sides to remove from baking dish, slice into 8-10 bars and enjoy!

FAQs on making your own granola bars:

• If you are looking to make these nut-free no problem! Sub tahini or sunflower butter for peanut butter. And be sure to use seeds instead of chopped nuts in the mix.
• If you aren’t gluten-free, you can also use regular rolled oats. I do recommend rolled oats though for consistency purposes,
• When it comes to peanut butter not all are equal. Be sure to use one that the ingredients are just peanuts and salt. No added anything or the consistency will be compromised of the bars.
• Not a fan of chocolate? Add some coconut flakes or more nuts!
• Want to make these higher in protein? Mix in your favorite protein powder to the mixture too.
• These are your freezer’s best friend. They stay good for 2 months so you can have an easy snack at any time!

A few other healthy snack ideas to try:

Strawberry Yogurt Bark

Green Smoothie Muffins (gluten-free)

Gluten-free Granola Bars with Yogurt Glaze

The Best Nut-free Granola with Clusters