My boys love these Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Bars (like Quaker Chewy granola bars)! A staple at our house has been the Quaker Chewy granola bar brand that you can buy in bulk at Costco. Granola bars are the treat/snack of choice for my boys to grab on the go for the park or pool. With the recent Celiac diagnosis at our house, two of my boys can no longer eat them because unfortunately oats usually test positive for gluten. Such a tragedy in these two little boys opinion! With this in mind, I set out to make a gluten free version of their favorite Quaker granola bar flavor.. the peanut butter chocolate chip granola bar!
I took this recipe and tweaked it just a bit and I actually like this version better! The addition of the peanut butter and a touch of corn syrup seems to hold them together better. I used gluten free oats and gluten free rice crispy cereal (found at my local grocery store), but of course you wouldn’t need to, regular oats and cereal are perfect. These turned out so yummy! We loved them and I think these will be a new staple at our house!
So are you out on summer break too? We are in full summer mode around here. I have come up with a few goals or priorities for my family this summer and one of them being… sticking to a meal plan! I just posted my latest 2 week meal plan here and if you want to plan your own…print a cute (FREE) planner page here. There are two you can choose from! Cute enough to hand on your fridge and keep you on track this summer:)
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Granola Bars (like Quaker Chewy granola bars)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups oats (*can use gluten free oats)
- 1/2 cup rice krispy cereal (*can use gluten free rice krispy cereal)
- 1/4 cup coconut
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 1/8 cup honey
- 2 TB corn syrup (optional)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Put butter , peanut butter, honey and corn syrup (if using) in a small saucepan over low heat until liquid.
- Add remaining ingredients to a bowl.
- Pour liquid from saucepan over the dry stuff and mix together until combined.
- Press into a square 8×8 pan.
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes–I did almost 30 minutes but I did double the recipe.
- Cool for 10 minutes and score into bars.
- Let it set completely and then cut into bars. Enjoy!
When you doubled the recipe, did you put them in a 9×13 pan? These look great, and I really would like to make them as a double batch at a time, adding different flavors and add-ins.
When you doubled the recipe, did you put them in a 9×13 pan? These look great, and I really would like to make them as a double batch at a time, adding different flavors and add-ins.
Do you know how long these keep? Do I need to store them in a certain way/place? Thanks! Looks delish!
Do you know how long these keep? Do I need to store them in a certain way/place? Thanks! Looks delish!
These were pretty darn good. I added mini m&ms on the top, just sprinkled them over the top after I mostly spread the mixture in the pan and pressed them in. Gooo-ood.
These were pretty darn good. I added mini m&ms on the top, just sprinkled them over the top after I mostly spread the mixture in the pan and pressed them in. Gooo-ood.
Angela,
That was so fun to chat with such a sweet person in that long food line!! Thanks for saying hi! Yes lets meet up again next year for sure! 🙂
xoxo
Angela,
That was so fun to chat with such a sweet person in that long food line!! Thanks for saying hi! Yes lets meet up again next year for sure! 🙂
xoxo
Hi Melanie,
I’ve wanted to write you and tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you at Women’s Conference. I was the “crazed fan” in the shrimp bowl line. Your cute sister Brittany was with you. I’ll keep watching your site for fantastic recipes! Hopefully we will meet up again next year! Take care, angela
Hi Melanie,
I’ve wanted to write you and tell you how much I enjoyed meeting you at Women’s Conference. I was the “crazed fan” in the shrimp bowl line. Your cute sister Brittany was with you. I’ll keep watching your site for fantastic recipes! Hopefully we will meet up again next year! Take care, angela
Bex,
What a fun recipe!! I just tried a similar one with only a few ingredients–but Peanut butter instead of butter. I love the simple recipes like that and feel better about feeding my kids something home made–and that I recognize all the ingredients:) Thanks so much for sharing!!
Bex,
What a fun recipe!! I just tried a similar one with only a few ingredients–but Peanut butter instead of butter. I love the simple recipes like that and feel better about feeding my kids something home made–and that I recognize all the ingredients:) Thanks so much for sharing!!
Teresa,
I used regular rolled oats (gluten free–but not quick). I have used quick before but I actually think the old fashioned are better!
Teresa,
I used regular rolled oats (gluten free–but not quick). I have used quick before but I actually think the old fashioned are better!
Hi Vanessa,
I just used the regular sweetened coconut from the regular grocery store. I am sure that unsweetened would work great too though. There really isn’t very much.
Hi Vanessa,
I just used the regular sweetened coconut from the regular grocery store. I am sure that unsweetened would work great too though. There really isn’t very much.
When we visit England, we find a similar treat they call “FLAPJACKS” which are to die for. I finally found the perfect recipe for them here and have just made them. If you want a much simpler recipe for something that is unbelievably good here it is:
2 cups oats (I use original),
2 sticks unsalted butter,
6 TBSP golden syrup (or in the US it is corn syrup),
pinch of salt.
That’s it! Melt butter and syrup in pan. Add pinch of salt to oats. Pour liquid over oats and stir together. Put in greased square baking pan lined with parchment on bottom and bake at 375 for 25 minutes. EASY PEASY!
I added some chocolate chips in mine which made them even better… very versatile too.
When we visit England, we find a similar treat they call “FLAPJACKS” which are to die for. I finally found the perfect recipe for them here and have just made them. If you want a much simpler recipe for something that is unbelievably good here it is:
2 cups oats (I use original),
2 sticks unsalted butter,
6 TBSP golden syrup (or in the US it is corn syrup),
pinch of salt.
That’s it! Melt butter and syrup in pan. Add pinch of salt to oats. Pour liquid over oats and stir together. Put in greased square baking pan lined with parchment on bottom and bake at 375 for 25 minutes. EASY PEASY!
I added some chocolate chips in mine which made them even better… very versatile too.
Looks great. I am wondering if we use old fashioned or quick oats. Could you please let me know, thanks.
Looks great. I am wondering if we use old fashioned or quick oats. Could you please let me know, thanks.
These look really yummy! I’m wondering about the coconut, is that flaked? Sweetened or unsweetened? Thanks for the recipe!
These look really yummy! I’m wondering about the coconut, is that flaked? Sweetened or unsweetened? Thanks for the recipe!