One of the easiest and healthiest breakfasts to make at home is this delicious Peanut Butter Granola. It takes just about 30 minutes to make this homemade granola recipe.
I have added some dried cranberries and chia seeds for added crunch, flavor, and health benefits. Homemade Granola is so versatile and we can modify it as much as we want. We can add or take away any nuts or dry fruits in the recipe and make it completely adaptable to our taste buds.
Table of contents
We as a family love eating cereal for breakfast. A few years back, my older son wanted to try out some granola from our local Sprouts store bulk bin. We got a small bag home and he fell in love with it.
Ever since then, every time we shop at Sprouts, he would bring home a different flavor of granola. And then I thought, why not start making these at home?
That is when my little one said that he loves granola with yogurt. Every time he would take a bowl of yogurt to eat, he would look for granola to sprinkle on top. This gave me even more reason to make healthy peanut butter granola at home. If you are looking for inspiration to make a beautiful parfait for breakfast check out this Yogurt blueberry banana granola parfait.
This week, I will be doing recipes from different cuisines as a theme for Blogging Marathon. This homemade peanut butter granola is my first recipe for the theme from American cuisine. If you have extra peanut butter after making this granola, then try these delicious peanut butter brownies for dessert.
I chose to keep the flavors pretty simple and make a delicious granola with peanut butter. We all love cranberries and I always have a container of dried cranberries at home. I added some cranberries to the granola recipe and also added some chia seeds for crunch. If you love cranberries as much as we do, check out this delicious Pumpkin biscotti with almond and cranberry recipe.
Why make this Homemade Granola?
- If your family loves eating cereal for breakfast, then it is a good idea to make some homemade granola. Add a little granola along with your favorite cereal to enhance the flavor and health benefits.
- If you don't eat cereal but love yogurt, then you have to try yogurt with granola sprinkled on it. The flavor is just delicious and the added crunch takes the yogurt to the next level.
- I made peanut butter granola as peanut butter adds protein to the recipe. I also added chia seeds for added nutrition and fiber.
- The Granola recipe is very adaptable and you can add any nut, nut butter, or dry fruits of your choice.
- This peanut butter granola recipe takes just about 30 minutes to make and all you need is a bowl and a baking sheet.
- Last but not least, making homemade peanut butter granola is much cheaper than buying them from stores.
- We decide the amount of sweetness and ingredients that go into the granola recipe.
- And this healthy peanut butter granola is gluten-free (make sure to buy certified gluten-free oats) and vegan.
Ingredients and substitutes
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable recipe.
Old-fashioned rolled oats - Make sure to use rolled oats for the homemade peanut butter granola recipe. Quick oats or steel-cut oats will not work in this recipe. If making the granola gluten-free, make sure to buy certified gluten-free rolled oats.
Peanut butter - Use natural and smooth peanut butter to make this granola. Certain peanut butter can have added oils and additives that take away the healthy aspects. So make sure to check the ingredients of the peanut butter. If not a fan of peanut butter, feel free to substitute it with any other nut butter.
Sweetener - I have used both honey and maple syrup as a sweetener for my peanut butter granola recipe. If making it vegan, skip the honey and entirely use maple syrup. We could also use agave syrup as a sweetener.
Oil - I love the flavor of coconut oil in my granola. Using oil is optional and can be skipped, but I feel the granola toasts better when a little oil is used. If you don't have coconut oil or are not a fan of it, use canola oil instead. If not vegan, we could also use melted butter.
Nuts and dry fruits - I have not used any nuts in the recipe. I have instead used chia seeds. And I used dried cranberries in the granola. We could mix and match any kind of nuts and dry fruits to mix up the flavor.
Flavoring - I used a little cinnamon and a pinch of salt in the peanut butter granola.
Step-by-step process
- Layer a baking sheet pan with parchment paper or a silicon baking mat. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
- Measure the oats and place them in a large bowl.
- Add the dried cranberries, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt to the oats and mix well.
- In a small bowl add the peanut butter, honey, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Heat it slightly in the microwave to soften and mix well. We could also do this in a small saucepan in the gas.
- Add the peanut butter mixture to the bowl with oats. Mix well until everything comes together.
- Carefully drop this mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread it well to form a uniform and thin layer. Make sure to keep the layer thickness uniform so that they cook evenly.
- Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes and then carefully flip the granola once. Take care not to break them down into crumbs and try to keep them together. The granola will still appear quite soft, but you will see a good color develop in the granola.
- Bake it further for 5 more minutes and then remove the pan from the oven. Let the peanut butter granola sit in the pan until completely cool. Do not attempt to remove it before as it will become crumbly. If you like to have granola chunks, then leave it cool completely in the pan.
- The peanut butter granola will become crunchy and harden as it cools. Once completely cool, break into small chunks and store in a glass jar.
How to serve peanut butter granola
The best part about this peanut butter granola is that it can be eaten in several ways. My boys snack on it directly from the baking sheet when it is cooling.
Granola is a great choice for breakfast. Add some in warm or cold milk and enjoy as is or mix it with different berries. I like it with cold milk but my dad likes to eat it warm.
My little one loves granola over his yogurt. Be it homemade yogurt or store-bought flavored yogurt, he would top them with more fresh berries and then add granola for crunch. It is interesting to see him pack a little granola for his lunch box along with yogurt.
Granola is a great after-workout snack. It is easy to carry when we are outside and gives that instant satisfaction from hunger pangs.
I add a little granola to hot oatmeal for the crunch.
Expert tips
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats to make homemade granola.
- Bake the granola in low heat to get the perfect crunchy texture.
- Buy certified gluten-free oats if on a GF diet.
- Using oil helps in making the granola extra crunchy.
- Let the peanut butter granola cool completely before breaking the chunks.
- Store the granola in an air-tight container to keep them from becoming soft.
Frequently asked questions
The answer is no. Granola tastes the best when made with old-fashioned rolled oats. The other kinds burn or do not handle the baking.
Add any nuts or dry fruits of your choice. I have added pecans and almonds to mine.
Yes, granola can be made nut-free. There are just plain maple granola or vanilla-flavored granola without any added nuts.
I store mine in an airtight glass jar. It is easy to see through the glass. They stay good for 2 - 3 weeks outside. I usually make just the amount that I would use in that time. Granola also freezes well. Place them in freezer-safe bags or containers. Thaw the granola if frozen before serving.
More snack recipes
Recipe Card
Homemade Peanut Butter Granola
Equipment
- oven
- Baking sheet
- Bowl
- Parchment or silicon mat
Ingredients
- 2 cups Old fashioned rolled oats
- โ cup Peanut butter Smooth
- ยผ cup Dried cranberries
- 2 Tablespoon Chia seeds
- 3 Tablespoon Honey
- 3 Tablespoon Maple syrup
- 1 ยฝ teaspoon Coconut oil
- ยฝ teaspoon Cinnamon
- โ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Layer a baking sheet pan with parchment paper or silicon baking mat. Preheat the oven to 325 F.
- Measure the oats and place it in a large bowl.
- Add the dried cranberries, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt to the oats and mix well.
- In a small bowl add the peanut butter, honey, maple syrup and coconut oil. Heat it slightly in the microwave to soften and mix well. We could also do this in a small sauce pan in the gas.
- Add the peanut butter mixture to the bowl with oats. Mix well until everything comes together.
- Carefully drop this mixture on to the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread it well to form a uniform and thin layer. Make sure to keep the layer thickness uniform so that they cook evenly.
- Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes and then carefully flip the granola once. Take care not to break them down into crumbs and try to keep it together. The granola will still appear quite soft, but you will see a good color develop in the granola.
- Bake it further for 5 more minutes and then remove the pan from oven. Let the peanut butter granola sit in the pan until completely cool. Do not attempt to remove it before as it will become crumbly. If you like to have granola chunks, then leave it cool completely in the pan.
- The peanut butter granola will become crunchy and harden as it cools. Once completely cool, break into small chunks and store in a glass jar.
Notes
- The best part about this peanut butter granola is that it can be eaten in several ways. My boys snack on it directly from the baking sheet when it is cooling.
- Granola is a great choice for breakfast. Add some in warm or cold milk and enjoy as is or mix it with different berries. I like it with cold milk but my dad likes to eat it warm.
- My little one loves granola over his yogurt. Be it homemade yogurt or store bought flavored yogurt, he would top them with more fresh berries and then add granola for crunch. It is interesting to see him pack a little granola for his lunch box along with yogurt.
- Granola is a great after work out snack. It is easy to carry when we are outside and gives that instant satisfaction from hunger pangs.
- I add a little granola on hot oatmeal for the crunch.
- Use old fashioned rolled oats to make homemade granola.
- Bake the granola in low heat to get the perfect crunchy texture.
- Buy certified gluten free oats if on GF diet.
- Using oil helps in making the granola extra crunchy.
- Let the peanut butter granola cool completely before breaking the chunks. Store the granola in an air tight container to keep them from becoming soft.
Suma Gandlur
Granola works both as a fuss-free breakfast for morning rush hours or a quick fix snack.
Suma Gandlur
It must be yummy. Granola works both as a fuss-free breakfast for morning rush hours or a quick fix snack.
Radha
You had me at peanut butter and oats! I love granola and always have on hand. This is a very delicious one!
Srividhya Gopalakrishnan
Love homemade granolas and love your detailed recipe and different ways to use it. So versatile.
Narmadha
Having a granola stock up saves us a lot of time on a busy morning. Peanut butter granola looks so good, healthy, and delicious. Wish to enjoy it right away.
Harini
Love this recipe. Perfect for people who have nut allergies.