I am still totally crushing on my pals from Pretzel Crisps and continue to use their product for inspiration. Today, I used Pretzel Crisps to make these yummy Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars.  You all know I am the biggest fan of the grab and go breakfast.  I buy granola bars like they are going out of style. With a family of four we can blow through a box in as little as two days and I feel like I am always running out of them.  

So, instead of trekking to the store once again I opted to whip up a batch of homemade granola bars to see how my family would respond to them.  I decided to go with my family’s tried and true love of peanut butter and used the salty and sweet combination of peanut butter and pretzels to make these easy Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars.

Print Recipe

Easy Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars

Ingredients

  • PRETZEL CRUST -
  • 3/4 cup margarine softened
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups crushed pretzels – I used Pretzel Crisps
  • GRANOLA BAR -
  • 2 cups quick oats
  • 2 cups brown rice cereal
  • 1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup peanut butter chips

Instructions

  • PRETZEL CRUST
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Line an 9 x 12 -inch baking dish with parchment paper (not wax paper) leaving a 2-inch overhang. In a medium bowl, mix together margarine, sugar and pretzels. Press the mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking pan and bake for 10 minutes.
  • GRANOLA BAR
  • Allow pretzel crust to cool and spread 1/2 cup of peanut butter on top of crust. Set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, toss together oats and cereal, set aside. In a separate microwave safe mixing bowl, combine peanut butter, honey, brown sugar and salt. Heat mixture in microwave for 1 minute, remove from microwave and stir. Pour peanut butter mixture over oat mixture, add peanut butter chips and toss well to evenly coat. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish over pretzel crust. Firmly press mixture into an even layer. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in refrigerator 30 minutes. Lift bars from dish using parchment paper overhang and cut into bars. See notes for storage.

Notes

Cut bars into individual sized servings and wrap in wax paper. Store wrapped bars in ziploc storage bags. Store bag in refrigerator. Individually wrapped bars make for a great grab and go snack.
peanut butter pretzel granola bars

I even surprised myself with how well they turned out.  My youngest son ate two immediately and asked me to make sure I put one in his lunch box for the next day.  I felt happy knowing that not only did my family enjoy my Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars but also that I knew exactly what was in them – no artificial flavorings, sweeteners or preservatives.  Just pure yummy goodness.  

These are perfect for grab and go breakfast, lunch box snacks or after-school snacks.  We like to eat these with smoothies in the morning or a glass of milk in the afternoon.  

peanut butter pretzel granola bar 2

I am looking forward to whipping up my next batch of homemade granola bars and seeing where my next recipe takes me.  I think I will try some with trail mix, nuts or even some dried fruit – the possibilities are truly endless.  

Go on, give them a try and let me know what you think.  

As a food blog, I regularly receive free samples of products.  Pretzel Crisps were kind enough to deliver some awesome treats to me as part of their #snackstop outreach campaign.      

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5 Comments

  1. I love this recipe! Love granola and peanut butter together. Thank you for sharing with Foodie Friends Friday. I chose this recipe as my Host Favorite and it will be featured on Daily Dish Magazine tomorrow! Hope to see you again this week at our next party!

    Reply

  3. Yum! I also go through granola bars like they’re going out of style haha. I usually eat at least one a day, but I should definitely try making my own to avoid all those icky preservatives and artificial ingredients! I bet these would be great with some dried cranberries or yogurt chips added.

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