No-Bake Peanut Butter & Chia Seed Granola Bars
Whip up these healthy, no-bake granola bars packed with oats, nuts, chia seeds, and peanut butter. They're a delicious and satisfying snack that can be customized with your favorite additions.
- Prep20 min
- Cook10 min
- Total2h 20m
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings12
These no-bake granola bars are a fantastic way to satisfy your sweet cravings with wholesome ingredients. They come together quickly and are perfect for meal prepping a healthy snack for the week.
Combining creamy peanut butter, sweet honey, hearty oats, and nutrient-rich chia seeds, these bars offer a satisfying crunch and chew. Feel free to get creative with add-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruits, or extra nuts to make them your own.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Optional: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spread the oats, nuts, millet, and chia seeds on an ungreased baking sheet. Toast for about 10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
- Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, gently melt the peanut butter and honey together, stirring until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled toasted oats mixture with the peanut butter mixture. Stir well with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. If adding chocolate chips, let the mixture cool for 1-2 minutes before stirring them in to prevent melting. If not using chocolate, stir in any other desired mix-ins now.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and evenly into the dish using the spatula. Place a sheet of plastic wrap over the top and press down with your fingers to ensure a compact, even layer. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the bars to set. Once firm, use the plastic wrap or parchment paper to lift the bars out of the dish. Slice into bars and serve.
💡 Tips
- For easier slicing, chill the bars for an additional 30 minutes after the initial 2-hour refrigeration.
- Ensure your peanut butter is the 'natural' kind (just peanuts and salt) and doesn't contain added sugars or oils that could prevent the bars from setting properly.
Inspired by a recipe from Well Plated