Description
A quick, no-bake granola bar recipe that requires only five ingredients and sets in the fridge. Perfect for school lunches, after-school snacks, or a quick 5pm dinner win.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups quick-cook or old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, butter, and vanilla extract. If the butter is hard, microwave it for 15 seconds to soften. Stir vigorously until the mixture is a smooth, glossy paste.
- Pour in the quick-cook oats and fold them into the wet mixture using a sturdy spatula until every oat is coated and a thick, sticky dough forms.
- Fold in the mini chocolate chips (or chosen mix-ins) gently to distribute them evenly.
- Transfer the mixture into the lined pan. Wet your hands slightly with water to prevent sticking, then press the mixture firmly and compactly into the pan.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator and chill for at least one hour, or up to two hours, until the bars are firm.
- Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into individual bars.
Notes
Do not use instant or steel-cut oats; quick-cook or old-fashioned rolled oats are required for the correct texture. Ensure you press the mixture firmly into the pan to prevent crumbling. For nut allergies, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 120
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 8
Keywords: no bake granola bars, school lunch ideas, quick snacks, peanut butter bars, meal prep, kid friendly snacks, 5pm dinner win