5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola

This tasty yet simple peanut butter granola combines the richness of peanut butter with the crunchiness of toasted rolled oats and desiccated coconut.

Enjoy it for breakfast with a combination of yogurt and fresh fruit or like my Chunky Granola, serve it as a cereal with your favorite milk.

It’s oil-free and can be made both gluten and dairy free by choosing certified gluten-free rolled oats and dairy-free chocolate chips.

Or you can leave the chocolate out!

Creating a mixture of melted peanut butter and maple syrup, it combines the oats with the coconut and bakes until it’s crispy and golden in just 15 minutes.

The result is the perfect balance of loose and chunky toasted granola.

Granola is also a great nutritious snack to take with you.

This peanut butter granola is a great option or try my Orange and Blueberry Seeded Granola which is packed full of seeds.

Whether you’re embarking on a hike, camping adventure, or heading to work or school, granola provides a convenient solution to satisfy you while on the move.

It can also be used as a topping for smoothie bowls, a favorite would have to be this colorful Fruit and Nut Granola.

Or incorporate it with other ingredients to create your own granola bars!

🥜 Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Made with only 5 ingredients.

• Bakes in 15 minutes.

• Made without coconut oil.

• Stores at room temperature for 1 month.

• Perfect for breakfast or a snack.

• Has mini dark chocolate chips.

📋 Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: This recipe has not been tested with quick oats or steel-cut oats. To make gluten-free, use certified gluten-free rolled oats.

• Unsweetened desiccated coconut: Is also known as shredded coconut in the US. Can be substituted with coconut flakes.

• Peanut butter: Use natural peanut butter, either smooth or crunchy. For nut allergies, swap it for seed butter such as tahini (sesame seed) butter or sunflower butter.

• Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is best, without any sweeteners added.

• Mini chocolate chips: Substitute with regular-size chocolate chips and either milk chocolate or white chocolate can be used instead.

🥣 Step By Step Instructions (with photos)

There is a full and detailed recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step one: In a large mixing bowl, combine oats and coconut, mix well. 

Step two: Add the peanut butter and maple syrup to a small pot. 

Place over low heat on the stovetop and stir until the peanut butter melts and the mixture becomes smooth.

Step three: Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and coconut. Using a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mix until well combined. Using your hands to mix may make it easier. 

Step four: Spread the granola out onto your baking sheet. 

Bake for 10 minutes then remove it from the oven and give it a stir to ensure even cooking. Return to the oven and bake for a further 5-10 minutes until it’s toasted and golden. 

Remove from the oven and set it aside to cool down completely on the baking sheet, about 30 minutes – 1 hour.

Step five: Once cooled, sprinkle over the chocolate chips and stir through, leaving any chunks of granola still intact. 

Enjoy or store away for later. 

💭 Expert Tips

• Use Natural Peanut Butter: Choose a natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain added sugars or oils. It will provide a purer peanut flavor and avoid excessive sweetness or greasiness in your granola.

• Mix Wet Ingredients Well: When combining wet ingredients with dry, ensure they are thoroughly mixed together. This will help distribute it evenly throughout the granola to create those delicious chunky bits.

• Add Chocolate Chips After Baking: It’s best to add them after the granola has finished baking and cooled. This prevents them from melting.

• Allow Proper Cooling Time: Once you remove the granola from the oven, let it cool completely on the baking sheet. This allows it to firm up and form some clusters, resulting in that desired crunchy texture.

🍓 Serving Suggestions

• Breakfast Bowl: Serve alongside bowl your choice of yogurt with some fresh berries or sliced bananas.

• Cereal: Treat this granola as you would a packet of cereal. Sprinkle your desired portion into your cereal bowl and top it with your favorite milk. I love to do this with my Chocolate Hazelnut Granola!

• Smoothie Booster: Sprinkle it over your favorite smoothie or smoothie bowl for an extra crunch and a hint of peanut butter flavor. It adds texture and makes your smoothie more filling.

• Peanut Butter Granola Bites: Mix the granola with a binder such as melted coconut oil or honey, then shape the mixture into small bite-sized balls. Refrigerate until firm, and enjoy these bite-sized treats as a quick and convenient snack.

• Parfait: Layer this granola with yogurt and fresh fruits in a glass or jar to create a delicious and visually appealing parfait. Repeat the layers and top it off with a drizzle of honey or a dollop of peanut butter.

• Trail Mix: Combine it with chopped nuts and dried fruits to create a homemade trail mix. It’s a portable, nutritious and energizing snack for on-the-go or outdoor activities.

• Ice Cream Topper: Sprinkle the granola over scoops of your favorite ice cream flavor for a delicious dessert.

⏲️ Storage Instructions

Store cooled granola in an airtight container or glass jar with a lid, such as a mason jar, at room temperature for 1 month.

You can also store it in large zip-lock bags, removing as much excess air as possible when sealing it up.

How to Freeze:

1. Place the granola in an airtight freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag.
2. Remove as much excess air as possible before sealing.
3. Label the container or bag with the date of freezing.
4. Lay the granola flat in the freezer to ensure even freezing and prevent clumping.
5. Freeze the granola for up to 3 months.

How to Thaw:

1. Remove the desired portion of frozen granola from the freezer.
2. Leave it at room temperature until it reaches your preferred texture.
3. Once thawed, enjoy the granola as you normally would.
4. Avoid refreezing previously thawed granola to maintain its quality.

💬 Recipe FAQ’s

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