This is the kind of stuff my childhood was made out of. Homemade versions of popular snacks; from granola bars (remember Kudos?) to gold fish to fun fruits, my mother always found a way to give us what we wanted while saving money, making it healthier and letting us have fun in the process.

homemade granola bars recipe easy peanut butter

I love the chewy texture!

One of my favorite cloned recipes was for homemade granola bars. This isn’t the recipe I grew up eating but it’s pretty darn close. It super kid-friendly and comes together really fast and easy. Isaac hasn’t been feeling well lately so I made a pan of these as a surprise when he wakes up from his nap. He loves it when I surprise him with food when he wakes up (yep that’s my boy alright!)

homemade granola bars recipe easy peanut butter

Adding chocolate makes everything better!!

These homemade granola bars are chewy, sweet, and delicious! Your imagination truly is the limit here! I’ve made them with salted caramels & chocolate, mini chocolate chips, rolos, oreos, you name it. You can even power-pack them by adding in nuts, wheat germ, dried cranberries, coconut flakes, etc.

homemade granola bars recipe easy peanut butter

How would you like to come home to a plate of these waiting for you?

It may be tempting to want to replace the brown sugar with all honey, but please don’t do it Miss Sophia, trust me, it’s not pretty. The brown sugar-honey-peanut butter- combo  creates a nice, chewy “glue” that hold everything together to nicely. This also allows it to be no-bake!

Watch me make these Easy Homemade Granola Bars from start to finish!

homemade granola bars recipe easy peanut butter

Get the Recipe: Easy Homemade Granola Bars

4.92 from 12 ratings
Servings: 8 bars
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Ingredients
 

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups quick cooking, 1 minute oats
  • 1/2 cup Rice Krispies cereal
  • 1 cup m & m's
  • 1 cup chocolate chips, melted (optional drizzle)

Instructions
 

  • In a nonstick pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
  • Stir in the honey, brown sugar, and peanut butter.
  • Bring to a very light simmer.
  • Simmer for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Stir in vanilla extract.
  • Stir in oats and Rice Krispies until completely coated.
  • Press mixture into a 8 x 8 inch pan lined with greased parchment paper. Be sure to press down really firm.
  • Sprinkle the top with m&m's and press them into the mixture.
  • Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
  • Remove from pan and cut into bars with a sharp knife.
  • Drizzle on the melted chocolate.
  • Refrigerate until chocolate has set.
  • Store in the fridge or in airtight container. (I prefer fridge)
  • Enjoy!

Notes

~TIPS~
Add a cup of any add-in you'd like!
Be sure to press into pan firmly.
Author: Divas Can Cook
Tried this recipe?Mention @divascancook on Instagram or tag #divascancook.