Easy Peanut Butter Granola

This Easy Peanut Butter Granola is simple to make in just one bowl and oven-baked to perfection! Prep ahead for breakfast during the week and pair with yogurt, fruit, milk, or enjoy by itself as a yummy snack!
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Peanut butter lovers! This easy, make-ahead, no fridge necessary breakfast is for you. And for me! Because I seriously can’t stop eating this snack-worthy granola. 

I mean, if you’re trying to save any, then don’t leave it on the counter for anyone to snack on as they walk by. I have a peanut butter addiction. Not sorry!

What is granola and where does it come from?

Granola is a delicious crunchy breakfast or snack food that generally consists of rolled oats, some kind of sweetener, nuts, and other optional add-ins. It is usually baked in the oven. It can be clumpy or have no clumps at all.

According to Culinary Lore, the granola we know today was first unveiled in 1878 by John Harvey Kellogg (yes, that Kellogg). But it was based on an earlier version called ‘granula‘, which was developed in 1863 by James Caleb Jackson. 

The copyright lapsed some time ago, so now, anyone can use the name granola, which is how it became a more general term. 

What are the ingredients in this Easy Peanut Butter Granola?

The ingredients in this recipe are fairly simple and may already be in your pantry! 

Here’s what I used in my Easy Peanut Butter Granola:

• creamy salted peanut butter – I opted for a natural creamy peanut butter with peanuts and salt as the only ingredients.
• maple syrup – This is our sweetener. I prefer to use maple syrup but you can also use honey.
• coconut oil – Adding oil helps the granola crisp and harden during and after cooking. You can use melted coconut oil or olive oil.
• vanilla extract – To get a little more depth of flavor, I like to add some vanilla extract.
• old fashioned rolled oats – Stick with rolled oats here to make the most classic granola.
• peanuts – Since our flavor is peanut butter, I decided to add in a few peanuts for some crunch!
• salt – For this recipe, the salt is optional because a couple of the ingredients we’re using already have salt. If yours don’t, or you like it salty, feel free to use a little bit of salt.

How do you make the Easy Peanut Butter Granola?

Making this Easy Peanut Butter Granola is quite simple – in fact I would consider this a recipe where kids can help!

Here’s how to start – Preheat the oven to 350F. Simple step but don’t forget about it.

Next, combine all the wet ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, add the peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract, then use a whisk to mix until combined. 

Dry ingredients are next. To the same bowl, add the rolled oats, peanuts and optional salt. Stir the entire bowl until all the oats and peanuts are coated with the peanut butter mixture. It will be wet and sticky looking, that’s great!

Next, grab a rimmed baking sheet pan. I like the half sheet pan (affiliate link!) size for this recipe (and most of my baking). Line the sheet pan with parchment paper, and then spread out the oat mixture in an even flat layer.

Place the sheet pan into the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. The granola is done baking when it has browned and appears dry.

If you try to eat the granola while it’s still warm, it may seem too soft. This is normal! Let the granola cool completely to room temperature on the sheet pan. It will harden and crisp up as it cool.

Serve with milk, yogurt, fresh berries, on smoothies, or enjoy plain as a snack. Honestly, just leave it on the counter and it will slowly but surely disappear.

Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter?

Yes, you can use almond butter instead of peanut butter. Just make sure it’s salted for best flavor!

Tips for Making Peanut Butter Granola

• This recipe is pretty forgiving – you can swap the sweetener, nut butter and oil if you want. Just be sure to follow the same measurements/proportions.
• For clumpy granola: To get bigger clumps of granola (like this Clumpy Snack Mix Granola), whisk up 1-2 egg whites until light and foamy. Add to the granola mixture at the end of Step 2 and mix well. Stir granola very lightly during baking.
• Use a rimmed baking sheet so your granola doesn’t fall off the pan.

What should you serve this Easy Peanut Butter Granola with?

Serve with your favorite milk, yogurt, or create your own parfait! Here are some recipe ideas:

• 5 Make-Ahead Greek Yogurt Parfait Ideas
• Whipped Greek Yogurt
• Ginger Pear Cinnamon Applesauce

Alternative customization ideas:

Here are some ways to make this recipe, but with little customization tweaks of your own:

• Use almond butter or cashew better instead of peanut butter
• Add chocolate chips after the granola has cooled
• Skip the peanuts and add some different nuts
• Skip any nuts completely and switch to dried fruit

To Make-Ahead:

This is a perfect recipe to meal prep for the week’s snacks, breakfasts, or whenever you want to eat it!

Just prep the recipe as the directions state, then store the granola in airtight containers, such as mason jars. You can keep it on the counter or in the pantry for up to 7 days.

Where do you get those containers?

I like to use mason jars for storing this type of recipe. In the photos, I’ve used these Pint and Half Wide Mouth Mason Jars (affiliate link!), but any size you want to store the granola in will work.

How to store this Easy Peanut Butter Granola:

Store the granola in an airtight container on the counter or in the pantry for up to 7 days. I would not recommend freezing or heating this recipe.

Did you make this Easy Peanut Butter Granola? Tag me in your social media post and use #projectmealplan when you share!