These no-bake peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars are made with just a few healthy ingredients and are easy to make! These bars make a perfect snack or quick breakfast for those who are on the go.

A stack of three peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars on pieces of parchment paper. A bowl of chocolate chips and a bowl of peanut butter rest in the background.

Maybe it’s just me, but the start of a new year always feels like such a fresh start. While I’ve come to realize I’m absolutely horrible at sticking with New Year’s resolutions, I still love when January rolls around. I feel like I’m more productive… even if it only lasts for a month.

After all of the holiday treats we’ve been eating around here, I’ve finally realized I need a little more balance in my eating habits. While I love baking desserts (and eating them), I do enjoy eating healthier too. This past weekend I had planned to make a batch of my no-bake peanut butter granola bars but decided to experiment with a chocolate version instead.

I reduced the amount of quick oats and crisp rice cereal and added in some cocoa powder. These bars ended up turning out better than I expected! The mini chocolate chips are totally optional in these, but I highly recommend them. Who doesn’t love a little extra chocolate?

I love eating one of these homemade chewy granola bars for a quick snack or for those mornings when I’m running out the door. Actually, that’s more like every morning. Hope you enjoy these as much as we do!

Three homemade chewy chocolate chip granola bars on a wood board.

Ingredients in This Recipe 

These peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars come together with minimal ingredients and are pretty good for you! Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe: 

  • Peanut butter: You’ll want to use a creamy peanut butter for these chewy chocolate chip granola bars. Natural or traditional peanut butter will work.  
  • Honey: Sweetens the granola bars and helps bind them together. 
  • Cocoa powder: Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder. 
  • Vanilla extract: Pure vanilla extract will deliver the strongest flavor. 
  • Salt: You need a little salt to balance out the sweetness of the bars. 
  • Quick oats: For a slightly softer bar, feel free to reduce the quick oats to 1 and 3/4 cups.
  • Crisp rice cereal: Adds a nice crunch to the peanut butter chocolate granola bars. 
  • Chocolate chips: I prefer using mini chocolate chips. Regular sized chocolate chips make these bars hard to form. 

How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars 

Combine the peanut butter and honey, and microwave until smooth and easy to stir. Add in the cocoa powder, vanilla, and salt. Stir in the oats, cereal, and chocolate chips last. 

Turn the mixture into a parchment paper-lined 8×8-inch baking pan. Use your hands to firmly pack the mixture down. 

Let the homemade chewy granola bars chill in the fridge for at least an hour, or until set enough to slice. 

Overhead view of a stack of healthy peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars and a bowl of peanut butter on a wood board.

Can I Use Old-Fashioned Oats? 

Yes, but old-fashioned rolled oats are larger than quick oats. As such, your chocolate chip granola bars will be much chewier. 

Baking Tips 

  • Make sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This makes it easier to lift the bars out and slice them. 
  • Instead of chocolate chips, you could experiment with using finely chopped nuts, dried fruit, or another baking chip. 
  • I do suggest storing these bars in the refrigerator since they become a little softer when left at room temperature. The good news is that they taste even better straight from the fridge!

More Healthy Snack Recipes to Try! 

No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

4.58 from 7 ratings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
These no-bake peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars are made with just a few healthy ingredients and are easy to make!  These bars make a perfect snack or quick breakfast for those who are on the go.
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Ingredients

Servings: 12 bars
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups quick oats* (170 grams)
  • 1 cup crisp rice cereal
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter and honey. Microwave for about 20-30 seconds or until just warm enough to mix together. Mix until fully combined.
  • Add in the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt and mix well.
  • Stir in the quick oats until fully combined and then add the crisp rice cereal and mini chocolate chips. The mixture should be thick, but if you feel it is a little too thick you can add a little less than a full cup of the cereal.
  • Scoop the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using your hands, firmly press the mixture into the pan.
  • Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until the bars are set enough to cut into bars. Remove the aluminum foil/parchment paper from the pan and cut into 10-12 bars.

Notes

Oats: For a slightly softer bar, feel free to reduce the quick oats to 1 and 3/4 cup.
Storage instructions: Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Cuisine: American
Course: Snack
Author: Danielle Rye
Did you make this recipe?Mention @livewellbakeoften on Instagram or tag #livewellbakeoften.