tasty tuesday: the very best peanut butter granola bars

As a kid I loved granola bars, really what kid doesn't?  Sometimes my mom would even buy us the granola bars that had peanut butter or caramel on them, wrapped up in chocolatey goodness!  Those days were the best!  

We also had the crunchy peanut butter kind, not quite as fun as the glorified chocolate bar type, but still pretty good.

These granola bars are a homemade take on the crunchy peanut butter granola bars, and I kid you not, I would choose these over ANY chocolate covered bar in a heart beat.  They are that good.

I have messed around with granola bars before, but I have never had any turn out as perfect as these did.  The very first time I made them, I couldn't believe how crunchy they were!  Previously, they always turned out a bit chewy, not quite the crispy consistency I was looking for!  

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

recipe: adapted from Half Baked Harvest (Tieghan) 

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups rolled oats 

1 1/2 cup rice crispies cereal

1/4 cup chopped peanuts

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup honey

1/2 cup peanut butter (I like to use natural)

3 tablespoons coconut oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Drizzle

2 tablespoons peanut butter (here I use Kraft)

1 teaspoon coconut oil

1 teaspoon honey

Directions:

1) Preheat your oven to 350.  Line a 9x13 pan with parchment, this makes it so easy to pick up out of the pan to cut! and no granola bars sticking to the pan!

2) Mix together all of the dry ingredients, oats, rice crispies, chopped peanuts, salt and baking soda in a large bowl.

3) Mix together all of the wet ingredients, honey, peanut butter, coconut oil and vanilla, in a one cup glass measuring cup (or glass/microwave safe bowl).  Melt these ingredients together (about 30 seconds in the microwave).

4) Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir thoroughly.

5) Transfer granola mixture into the parchment lined pan.

6) Press down very firmly, using a fork, or the greased bottom of a measuring cup.

7) Bake for 20-25 minutes (depending on how crunchy you would like them to be!)

8) Let them cool in the pan for a bit, then lift the parchment right out onto a cutting board, and cut them in granola bar shapes. (or whatever shapes you would like them to be in!)

I can't get over how much I dig these bars!  I love to pack them in my lunch, (they provide a much needed burst of energy while working on the farm) they make the perfect coffee break snack, and I may have even been known to munch on them for breakfast!

There are so many possibilities with these granola bars, and I have already modified the recipe to make yummy s'mores bars! 

Also anybody who loves food blogs should check out Half Baked Harvest.  Even if you aren't really into baking, her photos alone are to die for.  This girl has some serious talent!  I want to try everything she makes, it all sounds so delicious, and usually looks even better.

p.s.  ♥ jordyn