Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Banana Chips and Dried Cranberries

This post was sponsored by the National Peanut Board and Latina Bloggers Connect, but as always the recipe and all opinions contained in this post are my own.

For many years, my standard breakfast in the mornings was a granola bar and a banana (and sometimes a cup of yogurt). It was an easy breakfast for me because I could just grab them on my way out the door or keep them stocked in my office. It made mornings a little easier because I was usually late for work and didn't have time for making breakfast; it made for a convenient and healthy breakfast for me while on the go.

Today, I am presenting you a little bit of a homemade throwback of my old breakfast staple. It takes a standard chewy granola bar recipe and amps it up with a triple punch of peanuts (peanut butter, honey roasted peanuts, and peanut butter chips) as well as some banana chips and dried cranberries. I was actually going for a peanut butter, banana, and jelly sandwich flavor combination but the flavors are much more subtle than an in-your-face PBB&J.

Some tips for this recipe? They get better as the flavors meld together and are definitely better the next day. When making these, when you press down the mixture, make sure you press down are hard as you can that way the granola bars stay together. Also, make sure to keep the granola bars in the fridge because they will soften as they warm up.

Another cool thing about this recipe? It's no-bake, so the prep time for these bars are incredibly fast! They cool and set in the fridge so you can go about your busy day. This recipe makes about 16 granola bars, which is perfect for preparing for the entire week as part of your family's breakfast or a snack during the day. They are perfect for grabbing on your way out the door or packing up for a sports game or hike. Everyone can use a little help to make their days easier, and these granola bars do just that. They're cheaper than buying store bought, you know exactly what your family is ingesting, and they're fast to prepare.

Because peanuts contain 7 grams per serving, peanuts provide more energy boosting protein than any other nut. Peanuts are also considered a superfood because they provide more than thirty essential vitamins. These granola bars will help provide lasting energy to get you through your day.

I made two batches of these granola bars over the weekend and they are ah-mazing! I have a feeling that these will become a staple in our house.

To learn more about the benefits of peanuts, please visit the National Peanut Board.

Chewy Peanut Butter Granola Bars with Banana Chips and Dried Cranberries
A Tortillas and Honey original recipe

Dry ingredients:
2 c. oats
1/2 c. Rice Krispie cereal (gluten-free) or Chex (corn or rice flavors, crunched up)
1/2 c. banana chips, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 c. peanut butter chips

Wet ingredients:
1/4 c. butter (1/2 a stick)
1/4 c. brown sugar (dark or light works)
1/4 c. honey
1/4 c. peanut butter (smooth)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

Line a 9x9 baking dish with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray, then set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all of the dry ingredients.

In a saucepan, add all of the wet ingredients EXCEPT for the vanilla. Over medium-low heat, mix together the mixture until it melts and comes to a low boil. When the mixture comes to a low boil, stir constantly for two minutes. Remove from heat, then add the vanilla. The vanilla will bubble up, but continue to stir until combined.

Add the syrup mixture to the dry ingredient mixture and stir well until all of the ingredients are well combined. Add the mixture to the prepared baking pan and press down firmly using your hands. (It helps to spray your hands with non-stick cooking spray. You also can you the bottom of a glass or measuring cup to help press down too-- make sure that you spray the bottom of the glass/cup with non-stick spray too.)

Set the baking pan in the fridge to cool and to set for about an hour. Cut into 16 equal-sized rectangles and store in the fridge. These are better the next day!