Apple Peanut Butter Granola Bars (Print Version)

Soft, chewy bars loaded with apple, oats, and peanut butter. No baking required—just chill and enjoy this wholesome homemade snack.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup crispy rice cereal
03 - 1/2 cup dried apple, finely chopped
04 - 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
05 - 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
09 - 1/3 cup honey
10 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# How To Make:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on opposite sides for easy bar removal later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add rolled oats, crispy rice cereal, chopped dried apple, shredded coconut, peanuts, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
03 - Combine peanut butter, honey, and melted coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until mixture is smooth and pourable. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the warm peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a spatula to fold and mix until all dry components are evenly coated with the wet mixture.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly using the back of a spatula or clean hands, compacting tightly to ensure bars hold together properly.
06 - Refrigerate the pan for at least 1 hour or until bars are completely firm and set throughout.
07 - Using the parchment overhang, lift the solid block from the pan. Cut into 12 equal-sized bars with a sharp knife. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The texture is somewhere between chewy and crisp, exactly how a granola bar should be
  • You probably have everything in your pantry right now
  • No oven means you can make them even when its too hot to bake
02 -
  • Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is what keeps the bars from crumbling apart
  • Letting them chill completely before cutting makes all the difference between neat squares and a crumbly mess
03 -
  • Measure the peanut butter and honey before warming them, they're much easier to work with when they start stiff
  • If your mixture feels too dry, add another teaspoon of warmed honey or peanut butter

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