Irresistible Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bars: Your Go-To Recipe for Leftover Granola
Dive into the delightful world of homemade treats with these incredible Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars. This recipe, a delicious evolution from an old Allrecipes.com magazine classic, offers a fantastic solution for those last bits of granola lingering at the bottom of the box or even your homemade batches. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these chewy, decadent bars are surprisingly simple to make and promise a truly satisfying flavor experience that perfectly balances sweet and savory notes. Prepare yourself for a snack that feels like a cross between a cookie and a candy bar, offering both convenience and irresistible taste.
Crafting Your Perfect Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars: Tips and Notes
My adapted version of these incredibly hyper-tasty, sweet, salty, and peanut-butter-packed bars is designed for an 8-inch pan, yielding a manageable batch of utterly decadent treats. This recipe isn’t just about indulgence; it’s also a smart and efficient way to use up those odds and ends in your pantry. Think about those leftover white chocolate chips or the crushed remnants of granola that accumulate at the bottom of a box. Instead of letting them go to waste, transform them into something truly special.
When it comes to granola, versatility is key. While I often reach for a classic “Oats & Honey” variety like Cascadian Farm, any type of granola will work beautifully. Experiment with different flavors – a cinnamon-spiced granola will add warmth, while a fruit-and-nut blend can introduce delightful textural contrasts. If you’re using homemade granola, which can sometimes be clumpier, you might find it beneficial to give it a quick crush before adding it to the mixture. This ensures a more even distribution throughout the bars and helps them bind together perfectly. A food processor or simply a ziploc bag and a rolling pin can do the trick. The goal is to break down larger chunks so that every bite offers a consistent blend of flavors and textures.
Why You’ll Love This Sweet & Salty Granola Bar Recipe
- **Effortless & Quick:** With minimal prep and baking time, these peanut butter bars are perfect for busy schedules.
- **Uses Leftovers Smartly:** An ideal way to repurpose granola dregs and half-empty bags of white chips.
- **Perfect Flavor Balance:** The combination of sweet chocolate, salty peanuts, and rich peanut butter is utterly addictive.
- **Chewy & Satisfying Texture:** Thanks to corn syrup and oats, these bars have a wonderfully chewy bite.
- **Customizable:** Easily adapt with different nuts, chocolates, or granola flavors to suit your taste.
- **Great for Any Occasion:** A fantastic homemade snack, dessert, or a thoughtful gift.
Essential Kitchen Tools: The Pampered Chef Chopper and Beyond
For efficiently chopping the peanuts and white chips, I swear by my Pampered Chef Chopper. If you ever find yourself at a Pampered Chef party, this particular gadget, along with their spatula scraper, is absolutely worth the investment. I’ve had mine for years, and it makes quick work of nuts, chocolate, and even vegetables, saving a considerable amount of time and effort in the kitchen. Its simple push-down mechanism is far less cumbersome than a knife and cutting board for smaller quantities, and it provides a consistent chop that’s perfect for these bars.
However, if a Pampered Chef Chopper isn’t in your arsenal, don’t fret! A sharp chef’s knife will do the job just as well, albeit with a bit more manual effort. Alternatively, you can place the peanuts and white chips in a sturdy ziploc bag, remove the air, and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy glass. The key is to achieve a medium-to-fine chop for the peanuts and smaller pieces of white chips, ensuring they distribute evenly throughout the chewy granola mixture.
While some kitchen gadgets might gather dust (I’m looking at you, batter bowl, after seven years!), certain tools prove indispensable. For this recipe, beyond the chopper, you’ll need a good quality saucepan for melting the base ingredients, a sturdy mixing spoon, an 8-inch square metal pan, and some aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy removal. Investing in a few reliable tools can significantly enhance your baking experience and make recipes like these sweet and salty peanut bars even more enjoyable to prepare.
Related Sweet & Salty Treats & Baking Inspiration
- Pampered Chef Batter Bowl Brownies – A recipe for those who *do* use their batter bowl!
- Salty Oatmeal Cookies with Rice Flour – Another delightful exploration of salty and sweet.
- Epicurious Salty Chocolate Chunk Cookies – Elevate your cookie game with a gourmet salty chocolate twist.
- Frosted Fudge Brownies – For when you just need pure, unadulterated chocolatey goodness.
Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars Recipe
Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars
Anna
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (56 grams, preferably cold for easier measurement)
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt (enhances the “salty” in sweet & salty)
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts (chopped, for crunch and flavor)
- ½ cup white chips (chopped, or good quality white chocolate chips)
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup (40 grams, crucial for chewiness)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract (enhances all other flavors)
- ¼ cup packed dark brown sugar (50 grams, for rich, deep sweetness and moisture)
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter (65 grams, not natural-style for best texture)
- ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons granola (use your favorite store-bought or homemade, crushed if clumpy)
- ½ cup rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips (optional, for a final touch of chocolate)
Instructions
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Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F (160 degrees C). Line an 8-inch square metal baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring the foil extends slightly over the edges. This creates “handles” for easy removal of the bars later. Lightly spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make sure your delicious sweet and salty peanut bars lift out perfectly.
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Chop Your Goodies: Using a Pampered Chef Chopper, a sharp knife, or a food processor, finely chop the roasted peanuts and the white chips. Aim for small, even pieces so they’re well-distributed and provide a pleasant texture in every bite of your homemade granola bars. Set them aside for later.
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Create the Chewy Base: In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the fine sea salt, light corn syrup, packed dark brown sugar, and creamy peanut butter. Continue to stir continuously until the mixture is well combined and begins to bubble gently around the edges. This simmering helps to dissolve the sugar and create that irresistible chewy texture. Immediately remove the saucepan from the heat once it starts bubbling to prevent overcooking. Stir in the granola and rolled oats until thoroughly coated. Finally, fold in the chopped peanuts and white chip mixture, ensuring everything is evenly incorporated.
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Bake and Finish: Pour the warm granola mixture into your prepared 8-inch pan. Using the back of a spoon or a lightly greased spatula, press the mixture down firmly and evenly into the pan. This compaction is crucial for bars that hold together well. Bake at 325 degrees F (160 degrees C) for exactly 10 minutes. The bars will appear slightly bubbly and moist when you remove them from the oven – this is normal! Immediately transfer the hot pan to a wire rack to cool. While the bars are still hot and pliable, generously sprinkle the mini chocolate chips (if using) over the entire surface. The residual heat will slightly melt them, allowing you to gently spread them if desired, or let them melt into luscious chocolatey pools. Allow the bars to cool for at least one hour at room temperature. For clean cuts and optimal firmness, lift the foil from the pan, score the entire batch into your desired bar size (12 to 16 bars are typical for an 8-inch pan), without fully separating them. Then, chill the entire slab in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours, or until completely firm. Once chilled, separate the scored bars and enjoy your homemade sweet and salty peanut bars!
Tips for the Best Sweet & Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- **Don’t Overcook:** The bars will seem a bit soft and moist when they come out of the oven, but they will firm up as they cool and chill. Overbaking will result in hard, crumbly bars.
- **Press Firmly:** After pouring the mixture into the pan, make sure to press it down very firmly and evenly. This helps the bars hold their shape and creates a dense, chewy texture. A flat-bottomed glass or a second piece of foil can help with this.
- **Quality Ingredients:** While this recipe is great for using leftovers, using good quality butter, peanut butter, and chocolate chips will elevate the flavor significantly.
- **Chill Thoroughly:** Chilling is non-negotiable for clean cuts and firm bars. Allow at least 2-3 hours in the refrigerator.
- **Customize Your Granola:** Feel free to use any flavor of granola you love! Just ensure it’s not too soft or too hard to crush if needed.
Variations to Try
These sweet and salty peanut bars are incredibly adaptable. Feel free to get creative with your additions!
- **Nutty Variations:** Swap out or add other chopped nuts like almonds, pecans, or cashews for different flavor profiles.
- **Chocolate Choices:** Instead of white chips, use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or even dark chocolate chips. A mix of different chocolates can also be delightful.
- **Dried Fruit Fun:** Incorporate a quarter cup of chopped dried cranberries, cherries, or raisins for a fruity twist and added chewiness.
- **Spice it Up:** A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of cayenne pepper (for a sweet-and-spicy kick!) can add an unexpected depth of flavor.
- **Coconut Craze:** Toasted shredded coconut can add a tropical note and lovely texture. Add about 1/4 cup with the granola.
Storage Instructions
Once your sweet and salty peanut bars are firm and cut, store them in an airtight container. They will keep well at room temperature for up to 3-4 days, but for best freshness and chewiness, I recommend storing them in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to enjoy them for longer, these bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for a quick, delicious treat whenever a craving strikes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use natural peanut butter?
- While you can, natural peanut butter (the kind that separates) tends to yield a greasier and less firm bar. For the best chewy and consistent texture, I recommend using a processed, no-stir creamy peanut butter.
- What kind of granola works best?
- Any plain or subtly flavored granola works great! Oats & honey, vanilla, or even a basic clusters granola are excellent. Avoid overly chunky or heavily fruited granolas unless you plan to crush them well, as they can affect the bar’s structure.
- Do I have to use corn syrup?
- Corn syrup is key for the chewiness and to prevent crystallization of sugars. While some recipes substitute honey or maple syrup, they will alter the flavor and potentially the texture. For this specific recipe, corn syrup provides the ideal chew.
- My bars are too crumbly, what went wrong?
- This usually happens if the mixture wasn’t pressed firmly enough into the pan, or if the bars were overbaked. Ensure you press the mixture down very well before baking, and stick to the 10-minute baking time. Chilling thoroughly also helps immensely with firmness.
- Can I double the recipe?
- Yes, you can easily double this recipe. Just be sure to use a larger pan (e.g., a 9×13 inch pan) and possibly extend the baking time by a few minutes, keeping an eye on it to prevent overbaking. Ensure the mixture is pressed evenly into the larger pan.
These Sweet & Salty Peanut Bars are more than just a recipe; they’re an experience. A perfect blend of simple ingredients, clever use of leftovers, and a flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more. Enjoy baking and sharing these delightful homemade granola bars!