Need the most delicious homemade granola recipe? I’ve got you covered with these peanut butter banana chocolate chip granola bars, and I’m sharing some of my favorite road trip snacks, and there’s a giveaway, such a fun post today!
I love homemade granola bars. I love combining different ingredients and the hearty flavors that one can create at home. Anyone who has ever made granola bars at home will tell you that they are 10 times better than anything one could image buying at the store.
One can get carried away adding in healthy ingredients though, and then be left with a pan of super healthy granola bars that one just doesn’t even want to look at. That has happened to me quite a few times. They’ll be so over the top healthy (and taste that way) that when offered offered are quickly declined. Granola bar making is definitely an art. You want the right taste, the right texture, the right ingredients.
With these granola bars, I think I have perfected the art.
They’re chewy (no more breaking of teeth trying to take a bite, I like to use bananas and mash them with a fork), they have a little crunch (from the crispy rice cereal used) and they have the perfect balance of sweet and tart (from the chocolate chips and dried cranberries). These bad boys are so good, they’re the granola bar I make for road trips, and ones that I get requests for!
As I was thinking about what I all wanted to prepare for an upcoming road trip, I came home and realized I had an Instacart delivery coming, yay, those are always fun days. Instacart delivers your grocery cart, right to your door (clever name, right?) and is something that saves me oodles of time each week. As soon as I saw the delivery waiting, it reminded me that not only do they have produce, but they also have all kinds of other organic pantry items and groceries that I would find right in the grocery store.
I perused their selection and found not only all the ingredients to make my granola bars, but also many great road trip snacks! Here are some of my favorites-what are some of yours?
Do you want to try the wonderful Instacart service? Use code PHILIAK125 to get $10 off your first order for new customers!!
The next time you’re looking for the most delicious homemade granola bars, look no further than these peanut butter banana chocolate chip granola bars!
Other recipes you might enjoy:
- 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Nutella Bars
- Almond Butter Date Pepita Granola Bars Recipe
- Homemade Chewy Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 2 bananas ripe and mashed
- 2 Tbs honey I use Clover honey
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cup oats rolled oats, quick cooking
- 1 cup crispy rice cereal
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup walnut halves/pieces
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries you could also used dried cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350. Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a bowl microwave peanut butter, honey and vanilla for 30 seconds.
- In another bowl mash bananas with a fork.
- Combine bananas and peanut butter mixture and stir, then add in the brown sugar and stir.
- Next, add in the remaining ingredients and stir to combine, it may be a little hard to stir. I like to fold the ingredients together (folding under and over with a spatula).
- When everything is mixed together spread it into the prepared baking dish and flatten the top so that it is even.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown, you may need to bake for a few more minutes (I've had to bake these all the way up to 30 minutes one time).
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, then, using a sharp knife cut into 20 bars.
- These granola bars store really well in the freezer. Simply individually wrap them in plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag and remove when ready to enjoy, or store in an air tight container in the fridge.
Nutrition
Laurie says
Looks so delicious! Can you use crunchy peanut butter? Also can you use the mixed nuts (pecans, peanuts, pistachios, etc) ? Leave out the cranberries? Sorry, I’m just trying to use what I have on hand. Lol
Sweetphi says
Hi Laurie,
I totally have substituted different things in this recipe to use what I have on hand and have had them come out great. I’ve used almond butter instead of peanut butter, so I assume crunch peanut butter would be a-ok. Also you can use mixed nuts and leave out the cranberries – obviously they might taste a little different depending on what you add/leave out, but I’m sure they’d still be delish! I’d love to know how you like them and what you ended up substituting!
Phi
Amy (@dropastitch) says
cheetos. and grapes.
Sweetphi says
I loooove cheetos! I always forget I love them, but if I didn’t bring snacks with me and I go into a gas station, that is exactly what I’ll grab 🙂
Deb O says
Cherry Lara Bars, grapes, and lots of coffee!!
Sweetphi says
I’m the same way – lots and lots of coffee 🙂 Also, cherry Lara bars are one of my favorite flavors, that and the apple pie ones are my two top faves 😉
Dina Lindquist says
I love bringing raw almonds, Medjool dates and coconut water on road trips! 🙂
Sweetphi says
Those sound like amazing road trip snacks, super healthy too 🙂
Michelle Proper says
I love snap peas and peanut butter trail mix 🙂
Sweetphi says
Oh how unique, snap peas and peanut butter trail mix? I’ve never heard of that one before, definitely sounds interesting!
Denise E. says
I think I will be making these granola bars for the grandkids. I know they will love them; me, too. I’m a big fan of nuts for a road trip…they keep you full longer so you don’t eat so much other junk food (like chips or Funyuns :D)
Sweetphi says
I think your grandkids will love these! And nuts are always a great choice for road trips 🙂
Amy C. says
I love having nut mixes and granola bars for car trips…and of course a little chocolate!
Sweetphi says
Just that little bit of chocolate makes road trips that much better, right? Thanks for the comment 🙂
Tara says
If you don’t have rice crispys what could be substituted?
Sweetphi says
Hi Tara, I would suggest using a combination of more oats and nuts (probably 2/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup nuts) or you could use another type of cereal. Hope you enjoy
Phi
Laura M says
These look great and are in the oven baking right now! The last granola bar recipe I tried had so many ingredients that i had to buy specifically for the recipe (wheat germ?), but I had all of the ingredients for these! I love having homemade snack mix for the kids, but now homemade granola bars may be the new go to snack.
Sweetphi says
I think you’re going to love these Laura – I’d love to know how they turn out for you! And i’m the same way-i tend to get deterred if there are too many ingredients lol. These granola bars also can be cut into little square bar-sized bites 🙂
Jamie says
Yum, I am going to have to try these! I love taking homemade kettlecorn on road trips, just enough sweet and salty and it’s pretty healthy!
Sweetphi says
oh yum, homemade kettlecorn, my mother-in-law is the only one I know that has made it, something I clearly need to learn asap!!
Mary Zelli says
I like to make my own trail mix with nuts and craisins. I used to add chocolate chips until I started dropping them and having them melt on my clothes. Can have a few or several. I also like to pack grapes and apple slices.
Sweetphi says
You are definitely on to something, I’ve had chocolate chips melt on clothes or car seats before lol. Apples and grapes are perfect for road trips.
Jess says
I need to have salty & sweet – usually some kind of mixed nuts, peanut butter crackers and brownies or cookies are my go-tos. My husband likes beef jerky and my twins like goldfish and animal crackers.
Sweetphi says
I love that you need to have sweet and salty too, i love the balance!
shannon says
I can’t wait to try these – I think they’ll be a new favorite road trip snack; but for now, it’s homemade ‘energy balls’ if I’m feeling healthy & peanut butter cups if I’m not :):)
Sweetphi says
I think you’ll absolutely love these! And those energy balls sound deeeeelish!!
Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet says
Beautiful photos! These look absolutely incredible. 🙂 So perfect for camping or a road trip.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your compliment, I truly appreciate it!! And you’re right, these are definitely perfect for camping or a road trip 🙂
hroyal10 says
I love granola bars AND I love snacks. Especially homemade snacks on the road. I’m taking a road tip this weekend and now I’ll have a healthy and filling snack for the ride. Win win!
Sweetphi says
I love homemade snacks too! Let me know how you like these, I think you’ll love them, they’re my favorite granola bar!
Alison says
Trail mix with cold m&ms peanuts and raisins or… Also not super healthy but I love Cheetos
Sweetphi says
Hey, it doesn’t always have to be super healthy, right? I love Cheerios too!
cjsorel says
roasted pecans and granola
Sweetphi says
Roasted nuts are delish! Thanks for commenting!
Lexi Bites (@lexi_bites) says
Whoa! These look delicious. My favorite snacks for road trips are beef and turkey jerky (I know…love it or leave it), popcorn and nuts. I’ll have to bake up a batch of these for our road trip in July!
Sweetphi says
My hubby love jerkys and I always laugh at the names they have, I like sausage sticks- have you ever had those? Looove them lol! And I think you’d love these for your upcoming trip 🙂
judith says
These sound amazing! I love homemade trail mix for road trips!
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, homemade trail mix for road trips sounds amazing! What do you add in yours?
Rebecca@Figs and Pigs says
These sound perfect for my lunchbox. I think banana, chocolate and peanut butter must be the best granola bars I’ve ever heard of.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your lovely comment!! I think your lunchbox would love these 😉
Mabelle@ Ma Bella Vita says
This is such a great idea! I love making my own bars and been actually looking for a good recipe. This is perfect. thanks for sharing.
Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome! I think you’ll love these, I’d love to know what you think after making them!
susan s says
I love granola .trail mix, apple chips any thing that is healthy for the kids..
Sweetphi says
Oh yum, apple chips! I’ve never had them but am totally going to be on the lookout for them!
cheryl says
Love cheesy crackers for snacks and nuts
Sweetphi says
Cheesy crackers are the best! Thanks for commenting and entering!
ellen willett says
nuts
Sweetphi says
I’m right there with you, I love nuts on road trips!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
Love Door to Door!! And i Love road snacks LOL
Sweetphi says
Isn’t Door to Door amazing? I remember when you posted about them a while ago and they weren’t in WI yet, I was so jelly lol! And girl, road trip snacks are the best!
Suné Moolman says
I’m in love with these! The addition of the banana is new to me, I think it’s genius!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much! The addition of banana adds a really nice chewy texture and sweetness 🙂
Jeffrey says
These look awesome…Pinning for sure. I like to take along granola and fresh fruit. I’m not one for fast food restaurants so I always make sure I have something with me (I haven’t had McDonalds in 20 years!). I actually have all the ingredients to make these in my cupboard with exception to the rice cereal which is chocolate but would probably work just fine.
Sweetphi says
I like having homemade snacks so I don’t get tempted either… But I can’t say I’ve been as good as you… No McDonnalds for 20 years?!? That’s super impressive!, and I think chocolate rice crispies would be amazing in these! I’d just add a little less sugar so that they’re not too sweet 🙂 I’d love to know how they turn out!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
OMG, you are SO right about getting carried away adding healthy ingredients. Granola bars are SUCH an art…that you have CLEARLY perfected because these are amazing! and such a great giveaway too! Pinning!
Sweetphi says
Omg thank you so much girl for that super sweet comment and the pin, much appreciated and much love!