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Peanut Butter Granola Bars ready to eat

EASY PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA BARS (Vegan and Gluten-Free)

These Vegan Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars are the perfect solution for anyone seeking a quick, nutritious treat. They are GF & WFPB.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan
Servings 8 bars

Equipment

  • 1 8x8 Baking Dish/Pan
  • 1 Large Saucepan
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • 1 Non-Serrated Knife

Ingredients
  

  • 1/3 cup peanut butter (natural, no added oil, salt, or sugar) *
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 cups organic old-fashioned rolled oats (GF if needed)
  • ¼ cup Medjool dates (chopped)
  • 3 Tbsp peanuts (chopped)
  • 2 Tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup chia seeds (or ground flax seeds)

Chocolate Drizzle (optional):

  • 2 Tbsp unsweetened cacao powder
  • 3 Tbsp maple syrup

Instructions
 

  • Oven Preheating and Dish Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8x8 square dish with parchment paper.
  • Melting Ingredients: Melt peanut butter, maple syrup, and applesauce in a large saucepan over low heat. Stir until well combined and smooth.
  • Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients: Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in vanilla extract, add a pinch of salt, and mix well. Then add rolled oats, chopped dates, chopped peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds. Mix until well combined and coat everything evenly.
  • Pressing the Mixture: Transfer the mixture to the lined baking dish and press it down firmly to create an even layer.
  • Baking the granola bars: Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes** or until the edges turn golden brown, and if inserted, a toothpick comes out clean into the center.
  • Cutting the Bars: Remove the dish from the oven and let the granola bars cool. Then, lift the parchment paper to remove the entire slab from the baking dish. Place it on a cutting board and carefully cut the slab into bars***. You can decide on the size of the bars based on your preference – either into squares or traditional bar shapes.
  • Preparing and adding the Chocolate Drizzle (optional): prepare the chocolate drizzle. Mix the cacao powder and maple syrup in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle the chocolate mixture over the bars using a spoon or a piping bag. Let it cool for harden the chocolate.
  • Serve and enjoy your peanut granola bars!

Notes

  • * Ensure your peanut butter has a creamy consistency to avoid dry bars.
  • ** Start checking the bars in the oven at 14 minutes, keeping in mind that all ovens are different, and they can be ready before.
  • ***It is important to allow the bars to cool completely before cutting them. Use a sharp, non-serrated knife to press into the bars instead of dragging it when cutting.
  • Pressing the bars firmly to compact the mixture so the bars don't fall apart is crucial.
  • To store homemade peanut granola bars, keep them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two weeks for longer freshness. For extended storage, freeze individually wrapped bars for up to three months and thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before consuming. Use parchment paper between bars to prevent sticking, especially if they have a chocolate drizzle.
  • The recipe was adapted from the book Whole Food Vegan Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Healthy, Natural Ingredients.