This is a variation of our homemade granola base recipe. Homemade granola is easy to make with pantry staple ingredients, and is delicious too! When you make your own, you get to control the ingredients, including the amount of sugar added (store bought granola usually has way too much!). Make this peanut butter granola recipe for a tasty breakfast, snack, or even dessert!
Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Peanut Butter Granola Recipe
While we prefer rolled or old fashioned oats, you can make this granola recipe with quick oats too!
You don’t have to stir the granola every 15 minutes. If you’re like us, you have crazy toddlers running around, and you don’t want to be stuck near your oven, so just let it cook! It will still brown nicely and taste delicious.
Cook the granola until golden, but don’t expect it to be hard when you remove it from the oven. It will harden as it cools. The peanut butter in this recipe will turn the granola golden more quickly, so be sure to check it after 45 minutes of baking.
Be sure to stir and re-spread the granola immediately after you remove it from the oven, otherwise it will stick to the pan. If you prefer chunkier granola, cook the mixture on parchment paper, don’t stir it while it cooks, and allow it to cool slightly before stirring once removed from the oven.
Add the dried fruit once the granola cools to prevent it from hardening.
If you have kids, let them help you with this recipe! It’s very kid-friendly.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Peanut Butter: any nut butter will work in this recipe, but it just won’t be peanut butter granola anymore if you change it! Look for no sugar added and low sodium natural varieties. Crunchy peanut butter could work too, but we recommend creamy, as it is replacing the oil in the recipe.
- Honey: substitute maple syrup or agave to make a vegan peanut butter granola.
- Vanilla Extract: substitute ½ teaspoon almond extract.
- Cinnamon: substitute pumpkin spice or apple pie spice.
- Oats: while we prefer rolled or old-fashioned oats, quick oats work too! We don’t recommend using steel cut oats.
- Raisins: substitute your favorite dried fruit. If using larger fruits such as dried apricots, figs, or prunes, chop into smaller pieces before adding.
We love buying our spices from The Spice House. Click on the picture below to view & try out hundreds of flavorful spices and herbs!
Recipe Variations
This recipe is very forgiving; think outside the (granola) box!
Prefer a higher protein granola? Add more nuts and/or seeds in place of oats.
Love spices? Feel free to add other sweet spices such as ground cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, or ginger.
Need some granola inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide to make it your own, or check out our other healthy granola recipe variations!
Equipment Recommendations for the Best Granola
You just need a few pieces of kitchen equipment for this recipe!
Is this a healthy peanut butter granola recipe?
Granola can definitely be part of a healthy diet. The star ingredients in this crunchy granola recipe are oats, peanut butter & almonds, and raisins.
Oats
Oats are whole grains, making them rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Any variety of oats provide a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Complex carbohydrates are important for steady energy and focus. (1, 2)
Learn about the different types of oats in this article!
Peanut Butter & Almonds
Nuts are a great source of plant-based protein and healthy fat. Both peanuts and almonds are high in monounsaturated fats which are good for heart health.
Raisins
While this recipe does call for natural sweeteners, the amount used only adds up to 1 teaspoon (4 grams) per ¼ cup serving of granola. The raisins in this recipe add natural sweetness along with other nutrients such as fiber and iron.
Peanut Butter Granola Serving Suggestions
This recipe is great for an easy breakfast, a satisfying snack, or even a healthy dessert!
- Make a yogurt parfait – layer plain yogurt, fresh fruit, and ¼ cup of granola.
- Garnish a smoothie bowl
- Sprinkle it on peanut butter-coated apples or bananas
How to Store Homemade Peanut Butter Granola
This granola will keep for at least a month in an airtight container in your cupboard or pantry.
Want more healthy recipes?
Do you love oats as much as we do? Check out some of our favorite recipes made with oats!
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Peanut Butter Granola
Ingredients
- ¼ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 cups oats
- 2 cups raw, slivered almonds
- 1 cup raisins
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 250ºF.
- Soften peanut butter by microwaving in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Add the oats and almonds. Using a spatula, stir until well-combined.
- Spread granola in an even layer on one or two baking sheets (depending on the size). Cook for 45 minutes – 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.*
- Remove from the oven and stir one more time. Add raisins. Once cool, store in an airtight bag or container. Enjoy!
