Peanut Butter Granola

Peanut Butter Granola
This peanut butter granola recipe is so simple to whip up — just 6 ingredients and about 30 minutes! It’s a wholesome, tasty alternative to those sugar-packed store-bought granolas.
Our family absolutely loves this Healthy Peanut Butter Granola! It’s great sprinkled over yogurt, mixed into smoothie bowls, or eaten with milk for a cozy breakfast or snack.
This peanut butter granola is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and made without refined sugars — making it a nourishing choice compared to the usual store-bought versions. But don’t worry, it’s packed with bold peanut butter flavor and plenty of big crunchy clusters that everyone will love.
Plus, it’s a perfect make-ahead granola you can grab on busy mornings or pack for snacks.
Equipment
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- spatula
- glass batter bowl
- baking sheet
Notes
*Nutrition info is based on a ¼ cup serving size.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Oats: You can use quick-cooking oats for chunkier granola or old-fashioned oats if that’s what you have. Both work well, but quick oats give those bigger clusters we all love.
- Honey: Feel free to swap honey for maple syrup to keep it vegan or just for a different sweetness.
- Peanut Butter: Any nut or seed butter stands in nicely here. Just make sure if your peanut butter is thick, melt it fully with your sweetener before mixing to get those clumps.
Store/freeze
Keep your peanut butter granola fresh in an airtight container or glass jar at room temperature for 2 to 4 weeks. It also freezes well for up to 2 months — super handy for batch prepping!
Nutrition
Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 161kcal | Carbohydrates: 22.8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 57mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12.4g | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition info is an estimate and can vary depending on your exact ingredients.
Love this recipe? Got questions? Drop a comment below!
Looking for a quick homemade granola that’s packed with flavor but made from simple ingredients? This peanut butter granola is exactly that! It’s got hearty clusters and bold peanut butter taste, made with only 6 ingredients in about 30 minutes. Plus, it’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and you can choose honey or maple syrup to keep it free from refined sugars.
Below, I walk you through everything to make this granola: a short ingredient list, easy step-by-step instructions with photos, equipment tips, swaps for oats or nut butters, plus pro tips for getting those perfect crunchy clumps. I’ll even share how to store it so you can enjoy it over weeks or freeze for later. If watching is more your style, there’s a quick video to show the whole process.
Here’s a quick glance at the recipe:
- Makes about 2 cups of granola (nutrition info is per ¼ cup)
- Ready in roughly 30 minutes from start to finish
- Perfect for topping yogurt, smoothie bowls, serving with milk, or as an easy snack on the go
Reasons You’ll Love It
This peanut butter granola stands out because it’s fast, fuss-free, and downright delicious with just six ingredients. It’s a wholesome alternative to what you’d find in stores—without gluten, dairy, oils, or refined sugar (when using honey or maple syrup). If you’re looking for another gluten-free, refined sugar-free option, try our Maple Nut Granola. What really makes it pop are those big, crunchy clusters loaded with peanut butter goodness. Whether you sprinkle it on yogurt, blend it into smoothie bowls, eat it like cereal, or pack it as a snack, you’re in for a treat. Plus, it stores well and you can customize it with different nut butters or mix-ins—try a dessert-like twist with this salted chocolate chip cookie granola. It’s forgiving enough for busy home cooks — no fancy skills needed, just simple homemade granola that tastes amazing.
Ingredients and Swaps
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 6 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
- Combine 2 cups quick-cooking oats, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon sea salt in a bowl.
- Melt 6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter and ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup) together in the microwave or over low heat, stirring until smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract.
- Add the dry oat mixture to the melted peanut butter mixture and stir until fully combined.
- Spread the granola mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet and press down firmly into an even layer.
- Bake at 325°F for 15–20 minutes until light golden brown, stirring gently halfway through to brown evenly while preserving clusters.
-
Remove a small piece and cool 1–2 minutes to test crispness; if it doesn’t harden quickly, bake a little longer while watching closely.
- Take the granola out of the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Once cooled, break the granola into large chunks.
Pro Tips for Perfect Clusters
- Pick your oats based on texture. Quick-cooking oats make chunkier granola, which is our favorite. Old-fashioned oats work too, just expect a slightly different bite. Avoiding oats? Try our Low Carb Keto Granola Recipe (Crunchy!) for big clusters made with nuts and seeds.
- Make sure peanut butter and honey are fully melted. If the mixture looks crumbly before baking, add a bit more peanut butter or honey and stir until smooth—this moisture helps create clumps.
- Press down firmly on the pan. Baking in one even layer and pressing down helps form big clusters and gives you max crunch.
- Bake at 325°F and test for doneness. Remove a small piece and cool it 1–2 minutes—the granola should crisp up. If it’s soft, bake a bit longer but watch closely to avoid burning.
- Give the granola a gentle stir halfway through baking. This helps it brown evenly but leaves lots of clumpy goodness.
- Cool completely before breaking up. This step is key! Breaking it too early means smaller crumbs, not nice clusters.
- Add mix-ins thoughtfully. Stir in chocolate chips or delicate nuts/seeds after cooling so chocolate doesn’t melt and mix-ins keep their texture. Toast nuts or dried fruit before baking for extra flavor. For a fruit-forward variation that highlights dried cranberries, see our Air Fryer Cranberry Granola.
- Use parchment paper or grease your pan well. This keeps the granola from sticking and cleanup easy-peasy.
- Remember pan thickness affects baking time. A thin layer crisps faster, while a thicker layer might need more baking minutes.
- Store granola properly and refresh if needed. Store airtight at room temp for 2–4 weeks or freeze up to 2 months. To re-crisp, warm in a 300°F oven for 2–5 minutes—just watch that it doesn’t burn.

Mix-Ins and Serving Ideas
Want to mix it up? Here’s how we love enjoying this peanut butter granola:
- Sprinkle over yogurt. Add berries and a spoonful of this granola on your favorite yogurt—or layer it over chocolate chia pudding—for a crunchy, protein-packed breakfast.
- Serve with milk. Eat it like cereal with your favorite milk—dairy or plant-based—it’s a delicious, quick breakfast. Prefer a low-carb bowl? Try our Keto Granola Cereal.
- Snack on the go. Pack this peanut butter granola in little containers when heading out for hikes, park days, or just a busy afternoon snack.
How to Store and Freeze
Store your peanut butter granola in an airtight container or glass jar with a screw-top lid at room temperature for 2 to 4 weeks. It also freezes beautifully for up to 2 months—perfect if you want to make a big batch and save time later. When you’re ready to enjoy, use it as a crunchy topping for 20-Minute Mango Chia Pudding with Coconut Milk for a quick, make-ahead breakfast.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
How do you make homemade granola crunchy?
Here are my top tips for crunchy peanut butter granola:
Bake at a low temperature. This granola bakes at 325°F, which helps it dry out slowly and get super crisp.
Wet ingredients matter. Make sure the peanut butter and honey mixture melts smoothly so your clumps stick together.
Press it down when baking. Press your granola into a single, even layer on the pan to form those big crunchy clumps.
How long does homemade granola last?
Stored in an airtight glass container at room temperature, homemade peanut butter granola stays fresh for 3-4 weeks.
Can you refrigerate granola?
It’s best to store granola at room temperature in an airtight container to keep it nice and crisp.
How do you re-crisp homemade granola?
Just pop your granola in a 300°F oven for 2-5 minutes to bring back that crunch. Watch it closely so it doesn’t burn!

A simple, wholesome peanut butter granola with 6 ingredients and about 30 minutes of preparation, naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free, and refined sugar-free when using honey or maple syrup. Perfect for breakfast or snacks, featuring big crunchy clusters packed with peanut butter flavor.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups granola 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick-cooking oats
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 6 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease a large baking sheet.
- In a bowl, combine oats, ground cinnamon, and sea salt.
- Melt peanut butter and honey (or maple syrup) together in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Add dry oat mixture to the melted peanut butter mixture and stir until fully combined.
- Spread the granola mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet and press it firmly into an even layer.
- Bake at 325°F for 15–20 minutes until light golden brown, stirring gently halfway through baking to ensure even browning while preserving clusters.
- Remove a small piece and let it cool for 1–2 minutes to test crispness; if it doesn’t harden quickly, bake a little longer watching closely.
- Remove granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
- Once cooled, break the granola into large chunks and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition info is based on a ¼ cup serving size., You can substitute old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats for a different texture., Maple syrup can be used instead of honey to make the recipe vegan., Other nut or seed butters can be used instead of peanut butter, ensuring they are melted fully with the sweetener before mixing., Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 4 weeks or freeze up to 2 months., To re-crisp granola, warm it in a 300°F oven for 2–5 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 0.25 cup
- Calories: 161 kcal
- Fat: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 22.8 g
- Protein: 5 g
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