Peanut Butter Granola
This easy peanut butter granola recipe (with chocolate chips added in if you so desire) is yummy and so quick to make. Dreamy and delicious!
I am a granola fiend.
I eat it by the handfuls when no one or every one is looking, and 5 out of 7 mornings a week I spoon it onto a bowl full of yogurt. And I’m not the only one.
Brian loves the stuff, too, and has been known to pilfer the last jar of granola and take it to work without even a smidgeon of I’m-stealing-your-precious-granola-guilt.
Clearly, a container of granola sitting on a pantry shelf is not safe in my house (neither is Brian when I go after my morning breakfast ritual only to realize the travesty that has befallen leaving me alone and granola-less).
I have a few favorite granola recipes (this coconut/cashew version made with coconut oil is my granola BFF and this sweet and salty version isn’t too far behind) but I’ve been wanting to conquer a peanut butter version for a while now.
Apparently September is just the right time for peanut butter granola to be perfected. Don’t ask me why. I’ve learned not to question the whys, whens and wherefores of granola inspiration. All I know is it’s here and it’s yummy.
Not only is this peanut butter granola exceptionally simple, it’s particularly special if you are me and throw in a few mini chocolate chips after it’s all cooled off and ready to play nice with the chocolate.
Of course, that part is optional, but you may want to try it. Just once. Just to see. You know, so you can make a really educated decision about whether chocolate is truly necessary (I’m seriously biting every tongue I have not to shout out the only true answer to that conundrum).
Methinks it’s a great start to the weekend if a batch of this granola gets made, don’t you? I’ll be schlepping a long a big tub of it to all our soccer games tomorrow as a little pick-me-up (and I might even let the kids have some, too).
One Year Ago: Thai Green Curry Meatballs
Two Years Ago: Succulent Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Three Years Ago: Confetti Rice and Bean Salad
Peanut Butter Granola
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (85 g) creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup honey or pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup chopped toasted nuts (almonds, peanuts, etc)
- 3 cups (300 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup (85 g) mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
- Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease the parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
- in a bowl (for the microwave) or in a saucepan (for the stove), combine the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, coconut oil and salt. Melt over low heat until the ingredients are smooth and well-combined.
- In a large bowl, toss together the nuts and oats.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until evenly coated – the overall granola mixture won’t be overly wet once combined so don’t fret.
- Spread the granola into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, tossing once or twice during the baking time.
- Let the granola cool on the baking sheet (it will get crispier as it cools). If desired, stir the mini chocolate chips into the granola after it has cooled completely. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Very good! I made as is and threw some chopped almonds/peanuts in for good measure (along with a handful or two of mini chocolate chips)! Will make again. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.
This looks wonderful! Thoughts on using salted rousted almonds? Would that be too much salt?
It all depends on how salty they are – worth a try, but it definitely will give a saltier flavor to the granola.
Addicting!! I ve made this at least 5 times in the last 6 weeks. I just throw the raw chopped nuts in and sprinkle on the chocolate chips while it’s still a bit warm, so that they stick to the granola.
My mom even ate it mixed with cold zuchinni chicken casserole ♀️. I guess it’s that good!
I just found this recipe recently and it is SOOOOO good. Thank you for another spot on proportion recipe. I used natural peanut butter and maple syrup in the liquids and chopped peanuts, unsweetened coconut, hemp hearts and sunflower seeds with the oats. Mini chocolate chips were added when I removed it from the oven, so they aided in the clumping. Previous attempts with other recipes were not appealing, so I was thrilled when I tried this one. Thank you so much!
This granola was perfect. Thank you for this exceptional recipe. So easy to make and taste by far superior to the granola in the store!
Apparently I am on a Mel’s Kitchen Cafe kick today. I also made this delicious granola to put on top of my yogurt in the afternoon. I am currently following Beachbody 80 Day Obsession, and let’s just say I may have deviated from my meal plan to enjoy this granola. I couldn’t stop taking little handfuls here and there while it was cooling! Thank you again. Another hit!
Haha, I’ll justify a cheat day anytime you want! 🙂 Glad you loved this!
On my 3rd batch of the week!!
Really like this granola! After some trial & error, I discovered a few tips to get it especially tasty & clustery:
1) Use natural peanut butter– it seems the oil helps keep things moist
2) Use one of the cups of oats as quick oats– helps bind things together (kind of like the almond meal in Mel’s Honey Almond Granola does)
3) Let the oats get nice and saturated with the honey mixture before baking (10-20 minutes).
4) After the second stir, pat the granola down with a spatula to get the oats to stick together better.
5) Don’t over-bake as it will dry it out. I found 15-16 minutes on a silicone mat is perfect for my taste. Like Mel says, the granola crisps up as it cools on the pan.
6) Add the mini chocolate chips while the granola is still a tiny bit warm. It helps it just stick to the granola without getting melty or falling to the bottom.
6) Let the granola sit for awhile before eating. The taste gets better as it ages 🙂
Love the detailed review!
I just made this, but I added coconut to it, so I have Chick-o-stick granola! Delicious!!!!
Easy, fast and delicious ! Thanks Mel for another winner.
This recipe is our family favorite. I have always used veg oil, but started using coconut. What brand do you use? I remember you saying you got some from amazon? There are thousands on there. lol
I buy it from Costco or the Nature’s Way brand on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003OGKCDC?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
Looks amazing!! Is there anything I could substitute for the coconut oil?
You could use vegetable or canola oil.
It worked great with vegetable oil! This was so, so, so good!! My second granola recipe I made this week, and BY FAR it was the better of the two!! Thank you!!
Just made this for brunch… and a spoonful confirmed it’s delicious. Quick and easy – thank you for the recipe! I bought some cacao nibs to serve with it just to be extra-special.
Other than the great peanut butter flavor we were disappointed that it was on the dry side and not crunchy. I even baked it for an additional 10 minutes. What happened?
Hmmm, not sure, Cheryl. I’m sorry it didn’t work out like you were hoping!
I love peanut butter anything and have been on a granola kick lately so this sounds perfect! Thank you! I have a ton of Quick Oats. Is there anyway to make this recipe with Quick oats?
You could definitely try it – it might not be as chunky and granola-y but worth a try. 🙂
Mel! This was amazing!!! Iade a match and it was gone by the next morning. Um…I guess I need to double the recipe! If I do…could I do it all on the same cookie sheet? Maybe just cook it a little longer? Or should I just do two separate sheets?
Using two separate sheets would be best – when I’ve added too much granola to one baking pan it takes FOREVER to bake through which means it often bakes unevenly.
Could this recipe be used for granola bars instead?
Not without some adaptations…it isn’t sticky enough to hold together like a granola bar.
Mel, I made all 3 of these granola recipes you posted here (except I forgot about the coconut oil in the coconut granola), and I can’t choose! They are all awesome! The last time I made the peanut butter granola we inhaled it. So so good!
If I leave the nuts out, then do I need to up the oats?
I don’t think so – it will have less texture but the amount of oats should be fine staying the same.
This was delicious! For my nuts I added a mix of almonds and sunflower seeds. Now just to find a place to hide it so my family doesn’t eat it all before I get to!
I’ve never made my own granola before, but this was so simple and DELICIOUS! Mind=Blown
Made it yesterday and it’s pretty much gone. So good! Put half cups into sandwich bags and the kids cut a little hole and ate it like a gogurt 🙂
In the oven right now, smells so good! Can’t wait to eat some 🙂
Oh I just love granola! Im going to bookmark this recipe to try. How delicious!
Have you ever tried Graham Granola? It’s good, too! Can’t wait to try your recipe(s)!
I make loads of granola but have never tried it with a nut butter. This looks like a great formula. Bookmarking to try soon. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been making granola for years and years–seriously, probably twenty–and the recipe you’ve posted here is really close to my family’s favorite. A few notes: you CAN stir in the chocolate chips before you bake the granola. They get a little melty but still mostly hold their shape, which gives the granola a wonderful taste and mouth-feel. Also, you can throw in wheat germ, oat bran, pumpkin seeds, flax seed–all those healthy things that you KNOW you should be eating more of but can’t seem to ever remember. (Those add-ins will also make you feel better about the chocolate chips!) I would also recommend that you use kosher salt, and maybe a good, generous pinch or two. I find that granola needs more salt that you’d think; it makes a huge difference.
I have see other recipes similar to this, but none have ever looked as easy! Any other time someone has posted about making granola it seems like way too much work, but this is actually something I would love to try! Do you think using almond butter would yield the same tasty effect?
Grace – Almond butter is definitely worth a try but I haven’t tried it myself so I can’t say for sure. Good luck experimenting!
Can’t wait to make this! We make your coconut cashew granola all of the time and love it! Thanks!
Hi Mel!
You linked to your coconut granola and mentioned using coconut oil. The recipe says vegetable. Is it a 1/4 vegetable =1/4 coconut substitution?
Okay, this may seem a silly question, but if I were to use maple syrup in this recipe should I use the actual, very real, it comes from a tree maple syrup or can I get away with Mrs. Buttersworth?
I’ve bought coconut oil but yet to use it. When measuring for this recipe, do I scoop out 2 T from the solid form to add or do I melt it, then measure? Just not sure. Thanks.
Mel, this looks delicious and so easy! I can’t wait to try it. Thank you!
Your coconut and cashew granola is our favorite. I make it about once a week. It is a favorite movie night treat at our house. It doesn’t last long. I will for sure try this one since we have peanut butter lovers in our family. Thanks Mel!
Love all of your granola recipes. After everything cools down, I store mine in the freezer in a big ziplock. Stays crunchy long after you’ve made it. Keep up the great work, Mel! I love your site and approach to food!
I have never had peanut butter granola…it looks delicious, Mel! Have fun on the soccer field this weekend! 🙂
WE love granola in this house..I eat it daily! My kids will go crazy for this peanut butter version!
I became a believer of the goodness of homemade granola about 2 yrs ago. Adding peanut butter is grand idea. I love putting it on yogurt too. I can’t say I am a granola fiend like you, but I am a yogurt fiend!
YUMMY!! I think the chocolate is a must as in not optional!! Thanks Mel!
This looks fantastic!!! I have one quick question though- I use the natural, creamy peanut butter from Costco (their brand). Do you think this would work in the recipe or should I stick with “regular” creamy peanut butter (tends to be thicker and not so runny)? This is definitely going to be made this weekend!!! THANK YOU!!
I just made this with a runny natural peanut butter (similar to costco’s) and it worked out just fine!
Um, Carla, you are awesome. Thanks for making it so quickly AND taking the time to answer back for Hilary!
Hilary – what Carla said. 🙂
I don’t know if this has anything to do with the request I emailed you for a peanut butter granola recipe, but wow, this looks great! I can’t wait to make it!!
It does, actually! That’s been on my mind ever since you sent it to me and it was high time I actually figured it out. Thanks for planting the seed. 🙂
I made the Coconut Cashew (but with pecans instead of cashews) for my daughter’s farewell brunch. Everyone raved about it! My husband wants some for a hunting trip and I think I’ll make this! You can’t ever go wrong with peanut butter.
Wait Mel! How many tongues do you HAVE?
Homemade granola is one of my absolute favorite breakfasts, and I love peanut butter granola! I’m sure the chocolate chips are absolutely necessary. 🙂