Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
This Peanut Butter Granola Recipe is crunchy and addictive with big clusters and plenty of peanut butter flavor! There’s no refined sugar or oils, just 4 main ingredients and it comes together in about 30 minutes!
I’m a huge fan of granola, but I’m not a fan of all the sugar and preservatives that are found in most store bought brands.
That said, I’ve taken matters into my own hands and created a few homemade versions, including almond butter granola and chocolate granola, which my family and I absolutely love.
This Peanut Butter Granola Recipe is my favorite because my love for peanut butter runs deep. It has big, crunchy clusters, with no refined sugar or oils, it satisfies my daily peanut butter cravings.
It’s become a staple in the house, and while it goes quickly, it only takes a few minutes to prep.
This is granola that I feel good about, and I love that I can pull it together quickly and easily whenever a craving strikes. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Peanut butter granola is wholesome and crunchy with big clusters and plenty of peanut butter flavor.
- It’s healthier than store bought granola as there are no refined sugars, oils or preservatives.
- It’s so easy to make — it takes just 5 minutes to prep and it’s ready in 30 minutes.
- There are just 4 main ingredients and it can be customized with what you have on hand as well as your favorite add-ins.
Recipe ingredients
Most store bought granolas are high in sugar, hydrogenated oils and preservatives , so the best part about making this homemade peanut butter granola is that you control the ingredients.
This recipe includes just 4 main ingredients, and they can be substituted based on what you have in your on hand.
Ingredient notes
- Oats. For a nice chewy texture, use old fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats may be used if that’s what you have on hand.
- Peanut butter. I use natural peanut butter that only includes peanuts and salt in the ingredients. Be careful of added sugar as it will make your granola too sweet.
- Maple syrup. Substitute the maple syrup with honey, coconut sugar or your favorite sweetener.
- Oil. The coconut oil may be substituted with what you have on hand.
- Salt. A small amount enhances the flavor of the granola.
- Cinnamon. This is an optional ingredient that adds warm depth of flavor.
How to make this recipe
This peanut butter granola recipe makes a healthy meal prep breakfast or snack, and it comes together quickly and easily.
The trick to achieving big, crunchy granola clusters is to avoid stirring it during baking. It’s packed down into a 1/4″ thick layer on a parchment lined baking sheet, and it should not be stirred to keep those clusters intact.
Pro tip: For best results, use all natural peanut butter that includes just peanuts and salt as many contain brands include hydrogenated oils, sugar and preservatives.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Place the peanut butter and coconut oil in a large microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds or until melted. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon and salt, and stir well to combine.
- Add the oats and stir until well coated with the peanut butter mixture.
- Bake the granola for 25 minutes or until golden, remove from heat and cool completely. Do not stir!
- Once the granola has cooled, break it into large clusters and stir in some add-ins if desired. See the recipe notes for ideas.
Recipe FAQs
This peanut butter granola recipe is much healthier than most store bought brands because it’s low in sugar, and it’s unrefined sugar. This granola is just sweet enough, which results in big peanut butter flavor.
I’ve also used quality all natural peanut butter for this recipe that contains no hydrogenated oil, which results in lower saturated fat. Natural peanut butter is also is generally sugar free or lower in sugar and sodium, unlike some brands. All peanut butter brands aren’t created equally, so check the label to see how your favorite brand stacks up.
This recipe is also low in oil with only 2 tablespoons, compared with some granola recipes that call for twice that amount. Be sure to use unrefined oil such as coconut, olive oil or avocado oil for a healthier option.
The secret to achieving big granola clusters that stick together isn’t using an egg white to bind it together — it’s simply not stirring it while it bakes. In fact, once the granola has baked in the oven, it should be cooled completely before breaking it into clusters.
The peanut butter granola clusters in this recipe are big and chunky so it’s easy enough to eat by the handful!
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: For best results, use all natural peanut butter that includes just peanuts and salt as many contain brands include hydrogenated oils, sugar and preservatives.
- Customize this recipe with add-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut flakes or roasted peanuts!
- Store peanut butter granola in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
More granola recipes you’ll love:
- Breakfast fruit tarts
- Grain free granola by Iowa Girl Eats
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter creamy or crunchy
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil sub with your favorite oil
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup sub with honey or your favorite sweetener
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Place the peanut butter and coconut oil in a large microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds or until melted. Add the maple syrup, cinnamon and salt, and stir well to combine. Add the oats and stir until well coated with the peanut butter mixture.1/2 cup natural peanut butter, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Pour the oat mixture onto the prepared pan and spread in an even layer, about 1/4" thick, packing it down well. Packing it down will help give us those big clusters!
- Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25 minutes or until golden….do not stir! Remove from heat and cool completely without stirring.
- Once cooled, break the granola up into chunks and place in an air tight container at room temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: For best results, use all natural peanut butter that includes just peanuts and salt as many contain brands include hydrogenated oils, sugar and preservatives.
- Customize this recipe with add-ins like chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut flakes or roasted peanuts!
- Store peanut butter granola in an air tight container for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
**This post was originally published in April 2018. Step by step photos have been added, the post was restructured for better readability, and more recipe information has been added.
42 Comments on “Peanut Butter Granola Recipe”
This recipe is fantastic! I’ve made many batches always 2 at a time. I give one and keep one. Usually I add chopped peanuts or cashews. Thank you!
Thank you for the feedback and I’m so glad you love this as much as I do!
Thank you for this recipe!
I think this is probably my favorite granola that I’ve had 🙂
Ever since I made this for the first time I’m constantly re-making it whenever I see I’m about to run out! Obsessed!
Thank YOU for the awesome feedback! I’m so glad you love this as much as I do! 🙂
Would you recommend a best used by date?
Mine never lasts longer than a week, but I’d say two weeks is a good estimate!
When you measure the coconut oil, do yo7 melt it first? Love this easy, delicious granola recipe.
You don’t have to melt the coconut oil first. Thanks Rhonda — I’m glad you like it!
Love this granola! I’m obsessed! Tastes like oatmeal cookies. I would like to add raisins before I cook it. I’ll let you know howthat goes.
Thank you for the feedback Rhoda, and I’m so happy that you love this granola! I’d love to hear about the raisins. 🙂
Just thought I’d share that in the past when I add raisins to granola they turned very hard & almost crunchy when they cooled (after cooking), I was so disappointed. That doesn’t happen with other dried fruit like dried cranberries, not sure why (I’m not smart enough to figure that one out lol). But I started adding the raisins after the granola was finished cooking, hope this helps anyone else out there that wants to add raisins!
Thanks for sharing!
I just made this and HOLY SMOKES the whole house smells amazing now! I can’t wait to put this on my greek yogurt.
I just made this; added 1/4 cup chocolate chips when almost cool. Delicious!!
I’m so glad you like it and chocolate chips are always a good idea! Thanks for the feedback. 💛
Homemade granola is my favorite – I actually just tested out a batch last weekend for a freelance project. My only problem is that I find it addictive 😉 Peanut butter granola is one of my favorite kinds, and I love how easy this recipe looks! I buy KIND PB granola sometimes as well.
It’s addictive for me too Nicole, which can be a problem! 🙂
Processed food is so bad for us so limiting it is the best thing we can do. Thanks Puja!
You already know I”m a big lover of peanut butter granola 😉 I love the tips for making those big clusters! I am all about the big clusters. Isn’t it wonderful having a homemade recipe to replace something that you once bought so often??
Yes I do! It is really nice to have this recipe to go to in a moment’s notice — it’s become a staple!
This granola looks perfect to me! I’m not a fan overly sweet granola either. Naturally, sweetened granola is the way to go, for sure! Good for you for buying less processed foods. I can only imagine it’s hard to refrain when you have children living in your house!! I do my best to avoid processed foods too. I’m also cutting WAY back on my refined sugar intake so this recipe is right up my alley 🙂
Cutting back on processed foods is hard but necessary — I feel so much better eating foods without ingredients that I can’t pronounce. 🙂 Thanks Christina!
I adore homemade granola, and peanut butter is my favourite flavour! I also use your no stirring technique when I make granola, but your clusters are next level fantastic! A bowl of this right now with almond milk and bananas would be perfect!
Peanut butter granola really can’t be beat can it?? Thanks so much Leanne! 🙂
I hear ya on buying less processed food. I try to stay away from it too, and in the same regard, it can be so nice to just pluck something off the shelf, especially now that products are becoming higher quality. Still, NOTHING beats a good homemade granola in my book! You hit this one out of the park…I’m LOVING the peanut butter infusion! I want it for breakfast right meow!
I agree…nothing beats homemade granola! They’re either awful for you or in a bazillion pieces. lol Thanks Julie! 🙂
This really does look like the perfect peanut butter granola! I love those bigger chunks and simple ingredients in here. Granola is one of my favorite things to make, so I have to try your version!
Thanks so much Gayle! One can never have too many granola recipes right? 🙂
This looks fabulous. I have yet to try peanut butter in granola but it is on my list of things to do.
Thank you Balvinder — I think you’ll love peanut butter granola! 🙂
Hi
When or at what point can I put the add ins. Like flaked coconut or walnuts.
Thanks
Hi Cindy — I normally toss the add-ins in once I break the granola into chunks.