Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
Craving something crunchy, peanut buttery, and a little sweet? This homemade peanut butter granola is everything you want in a healthy breakfast or nourishing snack — packed with oats, lightly sweetened with honey, and baked until perfectly golden. You’ll also love my honey nut granola.
Made in one bowl with just a handful of pantry staples, it’s an easy recipe you’ll want to keep on repeat. Enjoy it by the handful, with milk, or crumbled over yogurt for a satisfying, wholesome option any time of day.
Need more easy oatmeal recipes? Try my peanut butter baked oatmeal, chocolate protein overnight oats, or oatmeal cottage cheese pancakes.
Why you’ll love this dietitian-made recipe
- One bowl, no fuss: Just 7 simple ingredients and one bowl to make a batch of crave-worthy peanut butter granola.
- Balanced and satisfying: Each serving delivers 6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber to help keep you full.
- The best way to eat oats: If mushy porridge isn’t your thing, try oats this way — crispy, sweet, salty, and seriously delicious.
The nutritional power of oats
As a Registered Dietitian, I love oats for their versatility and nutrition. They’re rich in beta-glucan fiber, which may help support heart health, and they’re an easy way to boost your fiber intake every day.
Key ingredients for peanut butter oatmeal
- Natural peanut butter: Look for a brand with just peanuts and salt on the label. Crunchy adds extra texture, but smooth works too.
- Honey: Sweetens and helps bind the granola. You can swap for maple syrup. Use 1/3 cup if you prefer a lower sugar option.
- Old fashioned oats: Also called large flake or rolled oats. A mix of rolled and quick oats is fine, but don’t use all quick oats. Skip instant or steel-cut oats.
- Dry roasted peanuts: Add salty-sweet crunch and texture. Make sure they’re lightly salted to balance the flavor.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and detailed recipe.
Extra mix-ins
Want to boost the flavor and texture even more?
After your granola is fully baked, cooled, and broken into clusters, stir in ½ cup of any of the following: raisins, dark chocolate chunks, white chocolate chips, chopped dates, dried cranberries, toasted coconut flakes, or chopped dried apricots. Mix and match for your perfect combo.
Prefer healthy breakfasts without oats? Try my healthy sausage cheese muffins, egg and cheese quesadilla, or Greek yogurt chia pudding.
How to make peanut butter granola
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Mix to combine.
Step 3: Pour onto a parchment-lined sheet pan in a thin and even layer.
Step 4: Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Top tips for perfect granola
- Stir well. Don’t rush this step. Stir the oat mixture for 1–2 full minutes to make sure every oat is evenly coated with peanut butter and honey — this ensures consistent flavor and even crisping.
- Spread evenly. Press the mixture into a thin and even layer on your baking sheet. If it’s too thick in the middle or too thin on the edges, the center will stay soft while the edges overcook.
- Flip halfway through. For the best crunchy texture, gently toss the granola halfway through baking and press it back into an even layer. This simple step makes all the difference.
- Cool completely. Let it cool fully before breaking into chunks — this is key for crisp, chunky granola. It may take up to an hour, but it’s worth the wait.
Storage instructions
Let your peanut butter granola cool completely at room temperature, which can take up to an hour. Once cooled, break it into chunks and store in a jar or airtight container. It’ll stay fresh at room temperature for up to one week.
Common questions
I don’t recommend it. Regular peanut butter usually contains added sugar and oils, which can change the flavor and texture. For best results, use natural peanut butter made with just peanuts and salt.
Yes! Almond butter, cashew butter, or any natural nut or seed butter works well in granola. Just make sure the ingredients list only includes nuts and salt.
It likely wasn’t spread thinly enough or needed more time in the oven. Make sure your oats are pressed into a thin, even layer before baking and again after tossing halfway through. To check for doneness, cool a small piece on the counter — it should crisp up as it cools.
You can use a mix of quick oats and old fashioned oats, but I don’t recommend using only quick oats. Skip instant or steel cut oats entirely — they won’t give you the right texture.
More healthy recipes with oats
Honey Nut Granola
Protein Baked Oats
Protein Overnight Oats
Apple Cinnamon Oat Muffins
Cookie Dough Protein Balls
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Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted natural peanut butter, make sure it's fresh and runny
- ½ cup honey
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt, optional
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- ½ cup dry roasted and lightly salted peanuts
Equipment
- half baking sheet
Instructions
- Position oven rack to the middle and pre-heat to 325 F. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl, and stir to combine. Make sure oats are evenly moistened.
- Transfer to your lined baking sheet. Spread it into a thin and even layer throughout the pan. This is key for extra crisp granola!
- Bake for 12 minutes. Then, flip with a spatula and gently press back down into the same thin and even layer. Bake for another 8-12 minutes, or until granola is medium golden brown. Test for doneness by letting a small chunk of granola cool on the counter — if it hardens as it cools, it's good to go!
- Let granola rest in the pan untouched for 30-60 minutes, or until completely room temperature. Then, break it into chunks, and enjoy or store!
Notes
- Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- Smooth or chunky peanut butter work well.
- You can swap peanut butter for natural almond butter, cashew butter, or any nut/seed butter of choice.
- Honey or maple syrup work great.
- Make sure your granola is in a super thin and even layer before baking and after flipping. If the center is too thick, it won’t get crunchy.
- After it cools, feel free to toss granola with 1/2 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit like raisins, dried cranberries, or even chopped apricots.
So crunchy and satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make! It also has the perfect sweet-and-salty balance. I love it!