• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Lemons + Zest logo

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
  • Our Adoption Story
  • Privacy Policy
  • Follow me!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    You are here: Home / Gluten Free / Simple Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola

    Simple Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola

    Last Updated March 13, 2022. Published August 8, 2018 By Lorie 10 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Big, clusters of crunchy peanut butter granola make this hearty granola the perfect addition to any snack, yogurt bowl, smoothies and more. It's so simple and perfect straight from the jar as well!

    Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola on baking pan with wooden spoon.

    Early this week I mentioned I am focusing on recipes that are super simple and as little sweat for you as possible. If Monday's Simple Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken wasn't easy enough, then this peanut butter granola will definitely be at least 10 times easier. You toss it together, stir and bake. Boom. That's it. I promise you can surely handle this one.

    Bonus? You probably already have everything you need in the pantry to make this. I don't know about you, but having to go to the grocery to grab ingredients I don't have is a huge hassle especially now that I have a baby in tow on these errands--it's not a quick in and quick out at all.

    Peanut butter granola in bowl with banana and strawberry slices.

    The past few weeks or so, I have been on a huge yogurt, fruit and granola kick. I have been having it for a snack or breakfast for the most part. Buying granola is not the most budget friendly so I started making more of my own. Peanut butter granola was one I hadn't made successfully before so I thought I would give it another go.

    I love, love LOVE my granola in big crunchy clusters.

    If you lived with me you would probably get annoyed with the fact that I pick out all the clusters from the package before anyone else gets a chance. It's how I do ice cream as well--there is a reason people eat cookies and cream and cookie dough ice cream--the chunks! And the bigger the better.

    Peanut Butter Granola in bowl with banana and strawberry slices.

    So as if this is not enough peanut butter on its own, I have actually been having yogurt topped with fruit and granola and then a big spoonful of peanut butter as well--never can you ever have too much in my opinion and thankfully our little (big) 9 month old son is the same way.

    The addition of flour in this recipe helps bind the granola a bit more so that it will form into more cluster like pieces. The addition of an egg white is another way to add some extra crunch to your granola but I found that this recipe was fine without it. Cooling it for a good amount of time without touching it helps with the crunch too.

    If you are a peanut free house, almond or cashew butter should work great. For nut free, sun butter should be okay as well. As for the oil in this recipe, I would stick with melted coconut oil or canola oil for the best flavor. If you don't prefer the flavor of coconut then either skip it or use refined coconut oil. Other than that, enjoy this crunchy goodness and happy snacking!

    How do I make my peanut butter granola crunchy?

    One of my favorite ways to make my granola extra crunchy is by adding an egg white. I read about this trick ages ago and have been doing it ever since. Baking on a lower heat and then allowing it to fully cool before touching it also help keep it extra crunchy.

    Crunchy Peanut Butter granola on baking pan.

    How do I get my granola to stick together?

    Oil is typically the best way to get this result. I have a few other tricks in this peanut butter granola recipe as well. Combining rolled and quick oats helps bind things a bit as well as adding flour. If you are coming for the big crunchy clustered granola then you are very much in the right place with this one friends!

    How to serve your crunchy peanut butter granola:

    • I never met a yogurt that didn't love to be topped with granola. This crunchy peanut butter granola is perfect on top of your favorite flavor with some fresh berries.
    • Speaking of yogurt, this Sweet Potato Pie Parfait is another great option for adding granola.
    • I am a firm believer in granola on top of a smoothie or smoothie bowl. Make this blueberry smoothie extra thick and top it with this crunchy goodness. Or maybe this Peanut Butter Coffee Smoothie??
    • Serve it by the handful--never better!
    • Toss it with some chocolate chips and enjoy a sweet and salty snack.
    • In a bowl milk on top--another classic!

    For more great granola recipes, check these out:

    • My Basic Granola Recipe
    • Maple Cinnamon Granola- a classic go to granola full of crunchy pecans and juice raisins
    • Nut Free Blueberry Muffin Granola- for my friends looking for an allergy friendly recipe
    • Banana Bread Granola - need I say more?

    DID YOU MAKE ONE OF MY RECIPES? LEAVE A COMMENT AND LET ME KNOW! I ALSO LOVE TO SEE YOUR LEMONS + ZEST RECIPES ON SOCIAL MEDIA–TAG ME @LEMONSANDZEST ON INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK!

    Simple Crunchy Peanut Butter Granola

    5 from 3 votes
    Print Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Lorie Yarro

    Ingredients 

    • 3 ½ c rolled oats, regular or gluten free
    • 2 T flour (use gluten free all purpose as sub)
    • ⅓ c pure maple syrup
    • ⅔ c drippy peanut butter
    • ¼ c oil (coconut or canola are best for flavor)
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325°F.
    • In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients and stir well to combine and coat all of the oats.
    • Spread evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet.
    • Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
    • Allow to cool in open air for at least one hour to allow for the most crunchy clusters. Store in an air tight container.
    Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!

    peanut butter granola in bowl with banana and strawberry.

    « Super Simple Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken
    Cheesy Zucchini Tater Tots »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Liz says

      August 19, 2018 at 3:28 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!!! You had me sold at PB!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        August 21, 2018 at 10:37 pm

        Ha, doesn’t take much ???

        Reply
    2. Meme says

      August 17, 2018 at 11:24 am

      5 stars
      Super simple!!! Love making homemade granola because its so easy and always tastes better than store bought!!!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        August 21, 2018 at 10:41 pm

        Agree!!

        Reply
    3. Alisa Fleming says

      August 10, 2018 at 7:09 pm

      This is my kind of recipe. I love the simple ingredients and bet it tastes amazing. I don't think I could resist adding cinnamon though 🙂

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        August 28, 2018 at 10:59 am

        Cinnamon would be perfect!

        Reply
    4. Julie @ Running in a Skirt says

      August 10, 2018 at 8:27 am

      5 stars
      Peanut Butter Granola??!! I need thisASAP!! I think I have all the stuff to make it already. Can't wait to try.

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        August 28, 2018 at 11:00 am

        Yay! Isn’t that the best when that happens?!

        Reply
    5. Ana Alarcon says

      August 09, 2018 at 6:02 pm

      I LOVE easy and healthy granola. Love how easy is this one to make and not as many ingredients!

      Reply
      • Lorie says

        August 28, 2018 at 11:00 am

        Easy is the best!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome to lemons + zest!

    Hello! I’m Lorie, welcome to lemons + zest! If you love to eat, and you love delicious, simple recipes, then you are in the right place. When it comes to cooking these days, I firmly believe that if it takes too long, or too much work to make, then it’s not for me. Read More…

    30 Minute Dinners

    Air fryer fish tacos on white plate with lime and fresh cilantro.

    Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

    Spinach Ricotta Chicken

    Ground beef pasta recipe in skillet with parsley and basil on top.

    Simple Ground Beef Pasta Skillet

    Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken with Tomato and Basil

    Baked Orange Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

    Chicken stuffed poblano peppers on parchment topped with cheese and cilantro.

    Easy Chicken Stuffed Poblano Peppers

    honey lime chicken fajitas on sheet pan.

    Honey Lime Baked Chicken Fajitas

    Simple Ground Turkey Skillet Dinner

    Vegan sloppy Joes on bun with chips.

    15 Minute Vegan Sloppy Joes

    Skillet with chicken thighs and fresh parsley on top.

    Creamy Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms

    More 30 Minute Recipes →

    Top Recipes

    Skillet with cream of mushroom pork chops topped with chopped parsley.

    Cream of Mushroom Pork Chops

    Glass jar with overnight oats topped with sliced banana and topped with peanut butter.

    Protein Overnight Oats

    Vanilla cold brew coffee overnight oats in jar with spoon beside it and napkin behind.

    Vanilla Cold Brew Coffee Overnight Oats

    Air fryer fish tacos on white plate with lime and fresh cilantro.

    Air Fryer Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw

    White bowl with lemon orzo salad topped with extra feta cheese and parsley.

    Easy Lemon Orzo Salad With Feta

    Tortellini Caprese salad in white bowl with fresh basil.

    Tortellini Caprese Salad

    Overhead view of Air Fryer BBQ Chicken on cutting board.

    Simple Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breast

    Pop tarts with sprinkles stacked.

    Easy Homemade Pop Tarts with Pie Crust

    More Top Recipes →

    Copyright © 2023 · lemons + zest