I make these Peanut Butter granola bars every week now. They are SO SO good!!
Giada's Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
Vegetable cooking spray
1 egg white
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup (1-stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted, *see Cook's Note
1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips
Directions
Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spray a 7 by 10 3/4-inch nonstick baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Lay a 6 by 18-inch piece of parchment paper in the pan, allowing the excess paper to hang over the sides. Spray the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, using a hand beater, beat the egg white until frothy. Stir in the peanut butter, brown sugar, and honey. Add the melted butter, oats and almonds. Stir to combine, then add the chocolate chips.
Using a rubber spatula, spread mixture into the prepared baking pan, pressing lightly to form an even layer. Bake until the edge of the mixture begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 1/2-inch squares and serve.
*Cook's Note: To toast almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
I don't use the chocolate chips and I use more honey instead of the brown sugar (although the brown sugar does make them yummy!). I also use Krema which is a natural creamy peanut butter I love (which requires no refrigeration or stirring like a lot of natural peanut butters do). I cook it for a few minutes longer than the recipe calls for but they still stay chewy. After they've cooled I cut them into bars and individually wrap them so I can just grab and go.
*I also don't use cooking spray. Too many chemicals in it for my liking.