3 Ingredient No Bake Gluten Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars (V, GF, DF): a quick ‘n easy recipe for thick no bake peanut butter granola bars that taste like honey roasted peanuts. Vegan, Gluten Free, Protein-Packed, Refined Sugar-Free. Try the cookie version here.
Two thumbs up!
That’s what my sister Jenny just texted me this morning. According to Jenny, that’s my 3-and-a-half-year-old nephew Dylan’s final, locked-in rating of these no bake gluten free peanut butter granola bars! Woot woot!
Recently, I sent Jenny, Dylan (aka “PB”), and Grams a tasty little care package full of granola bars, a top secret new brownie recipe (on the blog soon, I promise!) and two big batches of no bake PB oatmeal cookie dough bars. When they finally got the package (I’m the worst at waiting for fresh-baked goodies to arrive), we did our usual FaceTime unboxing.
Erik says it’s very similar to those YouTube unboxing vids people do with monthly subscriptions—complete with a swinging camera, a zoomed-in hand holding one object still for the camera to focus on it, and lots of nosiness on our part as to whatever’s going on in the background.
We had our usual banter of “Seriously, have you washed your hair yet??” to “When did you get that sweater?” and “Why did you go shopping without meeeee?” and my mom’s typical “It’s really cold in Boston, but nothing’s as cold as Maine!! Wait, WHY do you live there again??”
But nothing’s as good as the moment when they bite into the baked goods. 🙂 Jenny’s absolute favorite were the no bake PB cookie dough bars; and to my delight, Grams and PB’s fave were these No Bake Gluten Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars.
Apparently, though, PB had to give these bars yet another try. Ya know, just to make sure and whatnot. 😉 PB gave his final, final two thumbs up rating after much deliberation and careful thought this weekend.
Did I mention he’s 3 ½ years old?
He’s at that amazing age where you can still trick him into thinking a strawberry peanut butter smoothie is a milkshake, “challenge” him into a whisper game for “fun,” or make him think that granola bars are candy bars, and that having good manners is so in keeping with his future career as a superhero. 😉
I mean, obviously, Luke Cage, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc. totally have the best manners ever, love fruits and vegetables, and speak with their library voices when fighting crime. Like, duh.
And even more duh, they eat “candy bars” like these Code Name: Granola Bars for extra energy and for dessert. Like, all the time. But seriously though, these no bake gluten free peanut butter granola bars totally remind me of honey roasted peanuts and Chick-o-Sticks. Remember those?? So delightfully crispy, peanut buttery and chewy… *happy sigh*
Before I get super distracted thinking about all the ways I can somehow morph these granola bars into candy bars (not as a code name, like at all), let me tell you all about these…
My 3 Ingredient No Bake Gluten Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars are:
- super easy to make, ready in minutes
- deliciously firm and chewy
- satisfyingly thick
- made with just 3 ingredients
- satisfyingly nutty and sweet, like honey-roasted peanuts
- texture-rich
- bursting with oats
- made with deliciously healthy ingredients
- perfect for on-the-go snacking
- bursting with protein-packed peanuts
- plant-based and allergy-friendly
And did I mention they’re made with just 3 ingredients? Oh wait, I did! Okay, now that I have the attention span of a 3 ½ year old, I can stop being all judgy of said 3 ½ year old. So…. Sorry, PB! Will you gather these 3 simple ingredients and no bake with me? I’m so happy about tricking all the youngins into thinking these are candy bars creating delicious, homemade treats with you. I can’t wait to hear what you think. In the meantime, tell me…
What’s your favorite granola bar add-in?
- chopped nuts
- chocolate chips
- dried fruit
- _____________?
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
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Check out the No Bake Cookie version of these bars here!
- 2 ½ cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup natural, unsalted creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside. Clear some space in the freezer for this pan—you will need it later.
- In a large bowl, add oats. Set aside.
- In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add peanut butter and maple syrup. Whisk together until well mixed. Heat in 20-second increments in the microwave until warm, fragrant, and bubbles begin to form. Whisk in between heating increments. *Stovetop instructions in Notes.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until thoroughly combined. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using the rubber spatula, smooth into an even, tightly packed layer.
- Freeze for 25-35 minutes, or until firm and completely chilled. Slice into 18 bars (3 columns by 6 rows). Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
- Refrigerator storing instructions: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
- Room temperature storing: After the first day, you can store them at room temperature—they’ll be more firm.
- More No Bake recipes: no bake peanut butter coconut bites, no bake chewy chocolate chip granola bars, no bake almond butter cookie dough bars.
- More Healthy Snacks: paleo blueberry banana chia smoothie, gluten free trail mix cookies, gluten free vegan banana nut bread.
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If you enjoy my 3 Ingredient No Bake Gluten Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars, then you’ll love these…
☀︎ Healthy No Bake Recipes
No Bake Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, Whole Grain)
No Bake Almond Butter Cookie Dough Granola Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free)
No Bake Peanut Butter Coconut Bites (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Granola Bars (Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free)
☀︎ More peanut butter recipes…
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars (V, GF, DF)
Gluten Free Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles (V, GF, DF)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies (V, GF, DF)
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I find it so fascinating what you are able to make with so few ingredients, yet they end up SO delicious! I mean, 3 ingredients and you have these beauties – yum! And you know I love my peanut butter 😉 xo
It’s becoming quite the tasty, personal challenge of mine. Lol. Thanks so much, Marsha! 🙂 xo
These look great! I would want to eat the whole try!
They’re SO good! Thanks Patrick! 🙂
It is the cutest thing ever that you send your family edible care packages and then face time as they open them. I really need to be adopted into your family… like yesterday! 😉 And PB is absolutely the cutest kid EVER. I was already convinced of that, but every time you write about him I become MORE convinced. Anyways, I am so glad the beaming no baker came out to play today with these heavenly granola bars!! Did you know I’m OBSESSED with honey roasted peanuts?! In case you didn’t, I AM OBSESSED! I try to refrain from eating all the honey roasted peanuts, because CALORIES and lots of FAT. But, you can often find me hiding in a closet eating a super secret stash of honey roasted peanuts. Because DELICIOUS (and my closet doesn’t judge me). So the fact that these taste EXACTLY like honey roasted peanuts has me jazz hands type of happy! PLUS they are no bake? Ummmm. SOLD! Seriously, can’t wait to make these. And not share. 🙂 Pinned, obvi! Cheers, my sweets! Love ya! xoxo
P.s. How have I never heard of Chick-o-Sticks????! Googling that now!
Seriously, why are the papers taking so long to process??? 😉 He’s unbelievably smart and adult-like. It’s sweet and astonishing just interacting with him. Honey roasted peanuts: LOL. I’ll be sure to give you your much needed privacy during those special moments. ???? Hope you love them! Also, chick-o-sticks are like a combo of peanuts and coconut. SO. Good! Love ya! xoxo
3 ingredient bars, 3 year old approval, 3 bars minimum for a proper serving, now if only I had them one of these delicious nutty guys in front of me I bet I could polish it off in about in about 3 seconds. Tops! It’s pretty impressive that when you scale a granola bar back to just it’s basic necessary elements it doesn’t take much for perfect peanut butter snack creation. And although mix-ins would kinda blow the whole 3 ingredient thing, can option 4 be All of The Above? Between fruit and chocolate I just can’t choose, so throw them all in please???? Or coat them in chocolate and I would be tricked right along with under 5 crowd, because chocolate + pb = candy bar no matter if there are oats involved or not???? Hopefully maybe we can finally catch up this weekend❤️ xo
So many 3’s, it must be something good! 😉 The Trifecta of YUM, right? 🙂 Seriously, if I scaled these back any further, we’d just have a jar of PB. Good, but not too creative. Haha. You can have any option you’d like, my dear! <3 Oh Nat, you KNOW I've got some serious chocolate plans for this guy! 😉 Looking forward to our epic chats! ❤️ xoxo
I would definitely give these bars two thumbs up, too! I mean, what’s not to love about pb granola bars that are SO easy to make?! This is definitely my kind of snack right here. You are reminding me that it’s been FORVER since I’ve made my own granola bars, so I’ve got to try these. And just three ingredients? Count me in! Such a pretty treat, Demeter! Pinned! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Aw, thanks Gayle! 🙂 There’s everything to love about these! Haha. But I might be a bit biased… 😉 Hope you try them and love ’em! Have a great weekend, my friend!
Bahahahah- I so so love that y’all trick PB into thinking that a strawberry peanut butter smoothie is a milkshake!!! I used to trick my daughter (when she was a toddler of course) into thinking that yogurt was ice cream – then she went to a party once (when she was around 3.5) and I had my back to her and she was tasting someone else’s ice cream…. womp womp!!!!
Btw – I see whay these bars are Grams and PB’s fave!!! Demeter these No Bake Gluten Free Peanut Butter Granola Bars look wonderful and sound absolutely fabulous – so so sweet of ya to send your folks care packages of goodies like these! Looking forward to that brownie recipe! Happy FriYAY to you and Erik!
Lol. He falls for it, every time!!! 😉 Honestly, he really can’t tell the difference between a smoothie and ice cream at this age. It’s pretty awesome! Aw… womp womp indeed! What were you thinking, turning your back for a second? Lol. They sure do grow up fast! Happy FriYAY to you too, Shashi! Thanks for the kind words. xo
These sound really yummy 🙂 I was thinking, to add an extra crunchy texture, maybe I should toast the oats (and any additional nuts or seeds or coconut).
All of your ideas sound fantastic, Tammi! The oats would lend such a delicious, nutty flavor. 🙂 I’m working on a few nutty & coconut-y combos as we speak. Hope you get to experiment too and just love it. Happy no-baking!
Just made these with Wow Butter because my son’s school is peanut free. I also used 1/4 cup maple syrup & 1/4 cup honey because I was low on maple syrup and subbed 1/2 cup of the oats for 1/2 cup toasted coconut. These were so easy & super yummy! Thanks for the recipe! I’ll definitely be making these for our school’s hot lunch program ????
Awesome substitution ideas, Candi! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know how these turned out. 🙂 The school’s hot lunch program is so lucky to have you making treats for them! 🙂
Hi, I love your recipes, I’m far from an experienced cook, which is why I wanted to ask a question. I added a banana to this recipe, which resulted in the bars, not ever firming up. What can I do to save this batch? Could I add some coconut flour and bake them?
Hi Demetrios, thank you! Hmm… adding the banana definitely made things a bit more complicated. That’s kitchen testing for you! 🙂 I’m not exactly sure how to save these. Perhaps you could fold in 2-3 tablespoons of coconut flour and place them in the freezer to harden. Then slice and enjoy! Good luck!
I made this with Kirkland Signature’s almond butter because my little ones have allergies to peanuts. The recipe worked great! However, the almond butter and maple syrup mixture did not bubble. The granola bars were AMAZING anyway. ????????I also added in in some coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Yummy! ????
I’m so glad you enjoyed these! The combo of coconut flakes, sunflower seeds and flax seeds sounds super delish! Thanks for letting me know how these turned out! 🙂
Thank you so much for this recipe, I love it! But for the storing instructions, do you mean store at room temperature the first day, and then refrigerator the following 1-2 weeks?
Hi Ellie, sorry for the confusion (also, great question!). I meant to list two separate options, one for those who prefer to store it at room temperature, and one for those who prefer refrigerator. I just edited these instructions. So glad you love them! 🙂