Sweet – Salty – Scrumptious! Start your day with this super-easy Peanut Butter Granola!
It all started with Peter Pan. And by “it” I mean my love for that thing all kids just can’t get enough and have to experience over an over an over again. Nope, it’s not watching Disney’s Frozen. Or Snow White (more my era). It’s Peanut Butter. It all started for me in 1st Grade, when I took my lunch to school. Peter Pan Peanut Butter and Jelly – Hallelujah! So, if you remember a few weeks ago, I confessed to you all about my Peanut Butter Tooth in this post. But here I can give you more detail of my obsession over the years, starting with the days of Peanut Butter and Grape Jelly.
Since there were 6 (!) of us, Mom would pre-make all of the lunch sandwiches, put them in plastic baggies, and freeze them. She would take the frozen sandwiches out in the morning and plop them into our lunchboxes (coincidentally, mine was a “Peanuts” lunchbox – the Charlie Brown variety, not the Peter Pan). From there, we all discovered Strawberry Jam – hello? Where was this all my life? Then, sadly, years later, when I had roommates in college, my Peanut Butter Obsession kind of fell to pieces.
The aforementioned roommates – and let me be perfectly clear – these are people I love dearly, to this day. But they had unacceptable (to me) peanut butter behaviors that I just could not tolerate. And, believe me, I tried them. I gave them a fair shake. I did. Peanut Butter and Cheese? (?) Peanut Butter and Mayonnaise? (Don’t even!). I just couldn’t. It’s not that Peanut butter has to be paired with something sweet – I love love love Panang Curry or anything with Thai Peanut Sauce. Anyway, all this to say, I need more peanut butter in my life. So that’s why I made this Peanut Butter Granola. So I can start my day with it. Every day. Don’t judge.
I’ve made my favorite granola for many years now, and I do eat it practically every day. It has oats, lots of nuts, pure maple syrup, and olive oil. I love it! But since my Peanut Butter Tooth has been acting up lately, I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to make PEANUT BUTTER GRANOLA?” Yes, Self, yes it would. So I did. These days I use all-natural peanut butter, with just peanuts and salt (more peanutty taste!). So I just incorporated that into my Healthy Nutty Granola recipe. And I may never go back. I’m guessing maybe you won’t either.
If you’re as peanut-butter-obsessed as I am, tell me, what’s your brand? And do you eat your peanut butter with jelly? Pickles? Cheese? Or something else? I love Trader Joe’s all natural, or Adam’s. And I can go smooth or crunchy, depending on the recipe. Crunchy for sandwiches, smooth for other recipes. But, for now, in my Peanut Butter Granola as well!
Enjoy!
If you like brunch recipes check our my other brunch favorites by clicking Here.
If you like granola, I have many recipes, try these addictive yet healthy Granola Bars, or any of these Granola recipes.
PIN Peanut Butter Granola for Later->
Peanut Butter Granola
Who knew granola was so easy to make? Just mix some oats and nuts with oil, peanut butter and maple syrup, bake, and you have the best granola you’ve ever eaten! And healthier than the kind you buy in the grocery!
Feel free to add additional ingredients AFTER you bake and cool the granola. I like dried cherries with this Peanut Butter Granola, or if you really want a treat, add chocolate chips, peanut butter chips or white chocolate chips! So good!
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 35-40 min
- Yield: 12.5 cups granola 1x
- Category: Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 cups Rolled Oats
- 1/2 c Ground Flaxseed Meal
- 3/4 c Peanuts (I used Roasted, Salted Peanuts)
- 1/2 c Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
- 1/2 c Sliced or Shaved Almonds
- 3/4 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/2 c Maple Syrup or Honey
- 1/4 c Natural Peanut Butter (See Note 1)
- 1/4 c Neutral Oil (I used olive oil, but any vegetable or grape seed oil will do)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (Conventional Oven) or 330F for Convection/Fan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, ground flaxseeds, peanuts, almonds, pepitas and salt.
- In a measuring cup or bowl, mix together the peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey) and oil.
- Using a large spatula, mix the liquid ingredients together with the oat mixture.
- Pour and spread onto 1 or 2 parchment-lined baking sheets. The granola should be in a layer about 1/2” thick, otherwise you will need to bake/stir a bit more than the time given.
- Bake 25-30 minutes, stirring the granola once midway through, until it is uniformly golden brown. Cool completely on the sheetpan.
- Add dried fruits or chocolate chips, as desired. Serve and store remainder in an air-tight container.
Notes
- You can use regular peanut butter here, too, but you will likely need to heat it just a bit along with the Maple Syrup or Honey to get it to incorporate.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 cup
Keywords: Peanut Butter Granola
I am right there with ya on the peanut butter train, Laura! Except for me, I like my peanut butter sammiches unadulterated. No jelly for me. I love peanut butter sandwiches. I love jelly toast. I just don’t like ’em together. For me, it’s crunchy all the way if it’s in sandwich form, but creamy in baking recipes. Also, did you see that one brand (can’t remember which one) is now making a “double crunchy peanut butter”? Ummm, yes please! 🙂 We make homemade granola quite often, too, and I totally need to try this peanut butter version soon. Looks and sounds delicious, my friend!
★★★★★
Thanks, David! Strangely, I forgot about the “unadulterated PB Sammich”. I did have a brief time where that was my favorite, also. I agree, it’s crunchy all the way in a sandwich, but smooth for baking, or sauces, … or frosting. But I love how PB has discovered new life in everything these days! Glad you guys are granola-heads like me. And thanks for visiting. I’m going to have to check out the “double crunchy” PB. That sounds pretty awesome!
I cannot say I’m a huge fan of peanut butter& strawberry jam/jello, but I’ve tried it with either mango or fig jam, and it wasn’t that bad. Still, my favourite addition would be a banana or chopped dark chocolate. I also like adding a tablespoon of peanut butter (Again, it could be along with banana and chocolate) in my oatmeal – so delicious and comforting! I’ve recently tried peanut butter with nutella, and I didn’t hate it either. Last year I combined peanut butter with dulce de leche in ice cream, and it tasted fabulous! But peanut butter and mayo? No thanks! I’ve seen a video on youtube (I believe from buzzfeed) where people try weird combinations…well I did feel sorry for those folks! But I’m 100% saying “Yes” to this scrumptious granola!
★★★★★
P.S. Not sure if this mostly a local thing, but a peanut butter burger is common in around here. I gave it a try, and the flavour was pretty good!
★★★★★
I’m so with you , Ben about the banana or chocolate! Perfect! What a great idea to add it to oatmeal, I’ve never even considered that! And, you’re right, I’ve seen a few “PB Burgers” out and about, but have really never considered it. Hmmmm.. An Adventure Bite maybe? Thanks for visiting. I’ll have to check out the YouTube adventures of Peanut Butter combos!
Definitely the way I want to start my day! This granola sounds amazing. So yummy with some fresh fruit 🙂
Thanks, Kelly! It is delish, and a great way to start the day! Thanks for visiting!
OMG my mother swears peanut butter and mayo make a great sandwich but I refuse to believe it. Sounds like she’d get along with your roommates though! You and I can stick with pb and j and this delicious granola, like the normal people we are :). This sounds seriously amazing!
★★★★★
Kelsie – you’re my spirit animal rn. I’m so glad you agree with me! Thanks for visiting!
I love how your mum pre-made your lunch sandwiches and then put them in the freezer. I wonder if my mum had done that to my banana sandwiches, if they might not have been so soggy at school lunchtime! I’m always looking for new granola recipes Laura and since I’ve made the same one for years this peanut butter granola is going to be a nice change. Thanks!
Neil, seems we are kindred spirits on the Granola front, as, I, too, have made the same recipe, with only occasional “tweaks” for many years. I hope you get the chance to add some PB, you may never go back! I’ve never had a banana sandwich, but it sounds delicious. I bet you are right, though, sogginess would be the issue with freezing. ?
My case is just like Mimi’s. Have to try this one 🙂 Thank you for the idea 🙂
★★★★★
I’ve never heard of growing out of a peanut butter allergy, but so glad you did! I do hope you get the chance to try this, I can’t get enough!
Now that’s a serious peanut butter obsession and one I can understand. Peanut butter granola sounds wonderful to me. Your peanut butter granola with some peanut butter yogurt and sliced banana could be breakfast heaven. Do they make peanut butter yogurt? If not they should.
Actually, peanut butter is almost non-existent here. You can find it, but you have to search. Frozen PnB sandwiches, that’s one smart mom. Why didn’t I think of that? My fav growing up was PnB and banana sandwiches.
★★★★★
I agree, Ron, PB+ banana = Mmmmm! I understand Elvis ate his PB+B grilled. How good would that be? Sorry you don’t have enough PB Access. That makes me sad. Thanks for visiting!
Laura, this granola looks wonderful! My kids would absolutely love it!
★★★★★
Thanks, Kelly! I wasn’t sure I could stray from my usual granola, but it truly may become a permanent switch for me. Hope you get the chance to try it, and thank you for visiting!
I was never able to enjoy peanut butter as a kid, as I had an allergy to it! I never had the famous peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that everyone else grew up with!! Thankfully I grew out of that allergy and now I LOVE peanut butter. LOVE, LOVE!! Your granola looks terrific!!
Thanks, Katherine! So sorry you had a peanut-butter free childhood – but those allergies can be pretty frightening! Glad PB is fair game for you now, though! Thanks for visiting and for your kind words,
This is wonderful. I’ve never put peanuts or peanut butter in granola before!!! It’s brilliant!
Thanks, Mimi. As far as I’m concerned Peanut butter was the ONLY thing that could make my Healthy Nutty Granola even better! Glad you approve!