Apple Peanut Butter Granola Bars (Printable Version)

Soft, chewy oat bars with dried apple and creamy peanut butter. No baking required—just chill and enjoy these wholesome handheld treats.

# 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 or maple syrup
10 - 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

# How To Make It:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add oats, rice cereal, chopped dried apple, shredded coconut, peanuts, cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute evenly.
03 - In a microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan, combine peanut butter, honey, and melted coconut oil. Warm gently until smooth and pourable, then stir in vanilla extract.
04 - Pour the warm wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir continuously until all ingredients are evenly coated and mixture holds together when pressed.
05 - Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Using a spatula or clean hands, press firmly and evenly across the surface to compact the bars tightly.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until completely firm and set.
07 - Lift the bars from the pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 12 equal bars and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The texture hits that magical sweet spot between chewy and crisp, like a bakery granola bar but actually good for you
  • They come together faster than you can preheat your oven, and nobody will believe you didn't bake them
02 -
  • These bars will fall apart if you try to cut them before they're completely chilled. I learned this the hard way when hungry impatience resulted in granola crumble instead of bars
  • Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan is the difference between bars that hold together and ones that crumble at first bite. Apply more pressure than you think you need
03 -
  • Warm your knife under hot water and dry it before cutting for perfectly clean slices
  • If your honey has crystallized, microwave it for 15 seconds before measuring for easier mixing

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