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Easy No-Bake Peanut Butter Granola Lunchbox Bars (Best Snack)

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These no-bake peanut butter granola bars are the perfect last-minute snack, lunchbox treat, or bake sale hero. Made with simple pantry ingredients like oats, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips, they come together in 15 minutes and require no oven. Sturdy, chewy, and absolutely delicious, they’re a crowd-pleaser that makes you look like you planned ahead when you absolutely did not.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (180g) rolled oats
  • 1 cup (240g) creamy peanut butter (like Skippy or Jif)
  • 1/2 cup (170g) honey
  • 1/2 cup (90g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional mix-ins: 1/4 cup each dried cranberries, chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or mini pretzel pieces

Instructions

  1. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving about 2 inches of overhang on two opposite sides for easy removal. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups rolled oats and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add any optional mix-ins if using. Stir to combine and set aside.
  3. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey, and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula until smooth and glossy, about 3-4 minutes. Do not overheat.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture. Fold together with a rubber spatula until every oat is coated and the mixture is uniform and slightly glossy.
  6. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press down firmly and evenly using the back of a measuring cup or a flat-bottomed glass. Compact the mixture well to ensure bars hold together.
  7. While still warm, sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips over the top. Gently press them into the surface with a spatula or spoon.
  8. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or 1 hour in the freezer) until firm.
  9. Once firm, use the parchment handles to lift the block out of the pan. Place on a cutting board and cut into 12-16 bars with a sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between cuts.

Notes

For best results, use room temperature peanut butter and honey. Press the mixture very firmly into the pan to prevent crumbling. Chill completely before cutting. Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, at room temperature for up to 5 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup and butter with coconut oil. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free rolled oats.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake granola bars, peanut butter granola bars, lunchbox snacks, easy snack recipe, no-bake dessert, healthy snack, kid-friendly snack, make-ahead snack

Find it online: https://clunkcook.com/easy-no-bake-peanut-butter-granola-lunchbox-bars-best-snack/