4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola
This peanut butter granola is made with just 4 ingredients, in only 10 minutes of prep time. It’s crisp and lightly sweetened, with just the right amount of peanut butter flavor. You will want to eat this homemade peanut butter granola by the handful!
Homemade granola is one of my favorite meal prep breakfasts! You make it ahead of time, and then all that you have to do in the morning is pour it into your bowl and add whatever toppings you like. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
When it comes to food, simplicity is often best and that is so true with this recipe. You only need 4 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time to make amazing, crunchy peanut butter granola.
This granola is perfectly balanced in its peanut butter flavor. Not too much peanut butter that it’s overwhelming, but enough that it is unmistakably peanut butter granola. This homemade granola is full of big clusters, which are the best part of granola if you ask me!
I recommend serving your peanut butter granola with sliced banana and milk for breakfast. It makes a yummy topper for plain Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. It’s irresistible with chocolate chips mixed in for dessert! You can also mix in chopped peanuts or toasted coconut.
Do you get as excited as I do about recipes like this one? So excited that you just can’t help but make them immediately? I thought so. I bet I know what you’ll be making later today. It’s a good thing you probably already have all 4 ingredients in your pantry! 😉
You should also try my other best peanut butter recipes: these no bake nutty peanut butter granola bars and these irresistible peanut butter chocolate chip cookie energy bites!
How to make peanut butter granola with 4 ingredients:
Start by measuring out your old-fashioned oats. I like to use my kitchen scale to do this because it’s quick and I don’t dirty an extra measuring cup. You can measure the oats right into the large bowl that you will use to mix up the granola. I’ve included the weight measurement for the oats in the recipe below.
Next, you’ll measure and warm your peanut butter and honey. Again, I like to minimize the number of dishes I use when I cook, so I measure both into the same liquid measuring cup. You want to use a microwave safe measuring cup. I use a 2-cup glass Pyrex liquid measuring cup. Pour the honey in first to the 1/2 cup line and then scoop in the peanut butter until the mixture reaches the 1 cup mark. Be generous with your peanut butter measurement – a little extra is better than not enough.
Heat the honey and peanut butter mixture for about 45 seconds to help melt the peanut butter. Add the vanilla extract and whisk until the mixture is combined. While the mixture is still warm, pour it over the oats in the bowl and then stir until combined.
Bake your granola on a rimmed baking sheet according to the instructions below.
Tips for making homemade peanut butter granola cereal:
- You can use either natural peanut butter or traditional no-stir peanut butter in this recipe. I always have good results using natural peanut butter. I recommend buying natural peanut butter because it’s made with just two ingredients – peanuts and salt.
- Can you use quick oats in this homemade granola? No, you need to use old-fashioned (rolled) oats for the best texture.
- Can you leave out the honey in this recipe? I wouldn’t recommend it. The honey is needed to help the granola cluster together.
- What can I use in place of the honey? I would recommend pure maple syrup as a honey substitute. Using pure maple syrup in place of the honey will make this a vegan granola recipe.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up.
- How can I make crispy granola? While this granola bakes, it will fill your house with the most delicious peanut butter aroma. It will be hard to resist eating spoonful after spoonful as soon as the pan comes out of the oven, but do try! The flavor is great right away, but if you wait, the granola will crisp up as it cools. It’s so much better when crisp.
This crispy, crunchy peanut butter granola is delicious by the handful, but I usually enjoy it with a splash of milk. And if I’m feeling indulgent, I do this:
Are you a fan of the peanut butter-banana-chocolate combo? Then go ahead, make a batch of this peanut butter granola, add some banana slices and chocolate chips, and dig in. You’re welcome.
4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Granola
Ingredients
- 5 cups (430g) old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup peanut butter, natural or regular
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275 degrees F.
- Place oats in a large bowl. Combine honey and peanut butter in a liquid measuring cup. Heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds, until the peanut butter starts to melt. Whisk peanut butter and honey to blend. Add in vanilla and whisk to incorporate.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and stir until well combined. Spread granola in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet (line the baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean up). Bake for 20 minutes, stir, and then press granola into an even layer on the baking sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes more until granola becomes light golden brown.
- Let cool completely on baking sheet. The granola will become crisp as it cools. Store granola in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
4 ingredients!? Sold. Gotta make this one!
Yep, it’s a great one! Thanks for stopping by, Rachel!
Do you need to grease the baking sheet or use some kind of wax paper so the granola doesn’t stick? Or does the oil from the peanut butter kind of do that? I would love to try this recipe for homemade granola. I have not made it before, ever. I love healthy crunchy, salty or sweet kind of snacks. And I’m trying to get new recipes that my super picky kids will eat.
Sometimes I bake this on parchment paper, but sometimes I don’t. This particular granola doesn’t stick to the baking sheet. Homemade granola is so good! I hope you and your kids like it!
I need this in my life!! Granola is the best thing ever – but it’s so expensive. I really need to start making it more!
Yes, the good ones in the stores are so expensive! I haven’t figured out how much a batch of homemade costs to do a price comparison, but I’m sure homemade is cheaper, even if you do use some pricey ingredients like real maple syrup. You really should make your own granola often! It’s the best!
{Squeeee!} I was wondering how you were going to top your other two granola recipes, but you totally did!!! I love that there are only 4 ingredients unless you count the chocolate chips and bananas, which I do, because those seem essential! Pinned!
Now the pressure is on for tomorrow and Friday! I love the two recipes I have yet to post, and I hope you will too! I like to eat this granola for a late-night snack, and the chocolate chips and bananas are pretty much required then. 🙂
Yum! I love peanut butter granola bars, and this sounds like a good way to eat peanut butter granola, too!
If you like peanut butter granola bars, then I think you would love this granola. I’d love to find a good recipe for peanut butter granola bars!
My peanut butter granola bars are 2.5 cup oats, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup honey, and whatever additional add ins you like (I do 1 TBS ground flax, 1 TBS chia, and up to 1/2 cup of dried fruit or nuts or seeds – like apricot and sunflower, or date and walnut, or cranberry almond). Love those and they are so easy to grab on the way out the door so I do not stop somewhere and get something not so good.
Looking forward to trying this granola recipe!!!
Those granola bars sound so good and easy, Elizabeth! I experimented with a similar recipe this weekend, but with almond butter. 🙂 I hope you like the granola!
I’m loving your granola recipes, and this one is no exception! Peanut butter granola is the best, hands down!
Thanks, Gayle! Peanut butter anything is pretty amazing! 🙂
Peanut butter granola? This looks amazing!
Thanks, Jocelyn! It is!
It is!
Mmmmmmmm peanut butter! I kind of want to make this granola, take a spoonful of peanut butter, and just shove it in a bowl of the granola and eat it right off the spoon!! Is that allowed?
That is so totally allowed! Peanut butter is full of protein and healthy fat, so why not? 🙂
I never had success making granola but you make it look so easy! Wishing I could grab a handful of this!
I wish I could send some to you! 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Pamela!
Your photos are AMAZING! Seriously so pretty and I love that this granola is only 4 ingredients! Pinned and sharing as my feature for SNF this weekend!
Thank you so much, Chelsea! Yay!!! I really appreciate you featuring my granola! It’s amazing how only 4 ingredients can create such a yummy breakfast/snack!
Do you think this would be just as good without the honey? Thank you!
The honey adds a little sweetness and helps the granola cluster together. I haven’t tried making this without honey, but it might work because there is the peanut butter to help bind it. If you try it, let me know how it goes!
Do you know how many calories and how many servings this is?
I don’t calculate the nutrition facts for my recipes, but there are many online tools that can help. The recipe makes about 10 1/2-cup servings.
This recipe sounds perfect for me, most of he store bought granola that the like here has nuts, I can’t have nuts or seeds because of my Ileostomy and I have been looking for an easy no nut/seed recipe. THANK YOU!
I’m so glad this recipe works for your dietary needs. I think you will love it!
I”m in the process of baking this granola right now!!! I have never made granola before so I”m excited!!! My husband and I and two kiddos will eat peanut butter like crazy so I have a feeling this will become a favorite to all them and myself!! I can”t wait to try it!! 🙂 P.S. my house smells amazing!!!!
I hope you enjoy this granola as much as we do. I think I’ll need to make another batch soon! 🙂
I just made this 4 ingredient peanut butter granola this morning and it came out delicious, I threw 3/4 cup of chocochips in it also.
I couldn’t stop eating it OMG! Thanks for the recipe, finally granola I know I CAN eat because there are no nuts, it tastes like there is because of the little crunchy clusters, but there isn’t. =)
Awww, thank you so much for your nice comment! I’m so glad you love this granola as much as we do. You made my day. 🙂
is this gluten free? Love the fact that there is only 4 ingredients.
As long as you use gluten-free oats, the granola is gluten free. This is one of our favorite granola recipes, and the short ingredient list is one reason why!
Can I use quick oats when making this?
I think whole old-fashioned oats work best in granola. Quick oats are processed into smaller bits, so the texture will be different.
I would love to try this recipe because I love peanut butter and granola, but I hate honey! Do you think agave would work in place of honey?
Agave should work, although I have found it to be sweeter than honey so you might end up with a sweeter granola. Another option would be to use pure maple syrup, which I do use in a lot of my homemade granolas. Let me know how it turns out!
Is your 4 ingredient peanut butter granola gluten and sugar free?
If made with gluten-free oats, this granola is gluten free. Since it contains honey it is not sugar free.
Hi! I’d just like to thank you (well, sort of….) for this amazing recipe. Here’s the good news: my husband thinks it’s the best granola in the world. I, as it turns out agree. The bad news? I have to now make it in DOUBLE batches EVERY week or so. Seriously. It’s so good…and super EASY to make. Thank you so much.
Your comment made me smile, Ellen! I am SO glad that you and your husband love this granola as much as we do!
I am disappointed with how this turned out. Made it last night when I was craving something sweet. It was easy enough to make with only 4 ingredients, but mine never crisped up like it says it will. Even today it still seems rather pasty. 🙁
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy this granola. I’ve made it many, many times and my family loves it.
Would maple syrup work instead of the honey?
I haven’t tested this recipe with maple syrup, but I’ve made many granola recipes with maple syrup so I think it would work well. I hope you enjoy this granola!
What’s the nutrition content per serving?
Hi there, I don’t have nutritional information calculated for this recipe. If you are interested, there are many online nutritional information calculators available. Have a nice day!
Could this recipe be frozen?
I haven’t tried freezing this, so I can’t say for sure. I would think it would freeze ok. If you try it, let me know how it works for you! The granola should also last in an airtight container in the fridge for two weeks. Enjoy!
Ohh this looks so delicious!! Need to make this ASAP.
Thank Kristine
Love it! I think I needed a smidge more peanut butter…..overflow the measurement. I also used almond butter, so maybe that might have made a difference. Still great!
Hi, Could you use Pb2 to make the granola instead?
Hi Maxine, I haven’t tried this with pb2 so I’m not sure. The peanut butter does help the granola clump together, so in that sense I don’t think pb2 would work as well.
Its in the oven now and smells amazing!!!!
The smell as it bakes is one of my favorite parts! Enjoy!
Just made it. Turned out perfect!. Exactly as shown in the pictures.
Thanks
Super fast, easy, and delicious! AND an easily memorized recipe. Thank you so much!
The best granola recipe!!!! Love it! Every year I make granola for Christmas gifts! This will be the one this year!
We make this granola all the time and absolutely love it! So simple and delicious!
I made this today, followed the recipe exactly. It came out amazing. Can’t wait to try it with milk and bananas for breakfast tomorrow.
I look forward to trying some of your other granola recipes.
I have made this so many times!! It is amazing every time. I am curious, to those who add dried fruit (cranberries or raisins) when do you add it?
Thank you!!
You can stir in dried fruit after baking, once the granola cools, or you can add it to your bowl when serving. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipe!
Delicious Granola! My next batch I’m using some nuts 🥜
This is SUPER YUMMY! I added some chopped walnuts to my batch. FABULOUS! Thanks for this recipe!
Good, simple recipe! I added a little extra honey as well as cinnamon!
If I want to add some chocolate chips to the granola, when should I add them?? I should wait til I pull it out of oven?? Do I wait til it’s fully cooked?? Thank you I’m very excited to try this ASAP.
Wait until the granola is cool to add chocolate chips. If you add them when it’s warm, they will melt. Enjoy!
I make this granola all the time, so thank you so much for sharing it! An absolute favorite in our house, especially when sprinkled with a few chocolate chips 😋
Quick, easy, and ohhhh soooo yummy. My house smelled like PB cookies while it baked.
Trying this in a bit! Just wondering, some have commented that they add in other ingredients such as chocolate chips. Do you add extra ingredients before you cook it or just mix it in after it has cooked, cooled and crisped up?
Add mix-ins like chocolate chips after it has baked and cooled. I hope you enjoy!
Second time making this. I love it!
My kids love this, I add peanuts and it’s delicious
Mine turned out really dry. Like there wasn’t enough peanut butter and honey… Can I do anything to fix it at this point?
Thank you for trying the recipe! Granola is supposed to be dry and crunchy, so it sounds like it turned out just right. 🙂
Just took it out of the oven and it is so yummy! I’ll be eating it with my homemade yogurt.
Hi Kristine, could I use the Pb2 to replace the peanut butter? How many grams of 1/2 cups of both the honey snd the peanut butter? Thank you.
I haven’t tested this recipe with pb2. If you decide to try it, let me know how it turns out.
Hi Kristine, can I have the 1/2 cup of honey and peanut butter in grams please? Could I use the liquid sweetener like the monk fruit or allulose? Thank you.
1/2 cup of honey is about 170 grams. 1/2 cup of peanut butter is about 125 grams. I have only tested this recipe with honey and pure maple syrup, so I can’t say how other sweeteners would work.
The peanut butter granola is in the oven now and smells amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
I usually cut back on sweeteners in recipes by about 1/3 or 1/2. I made this granola with unsweetened natural peanut butter and cut back on the honey to about 1/4 cup. I do NOT recommend that. Not only did it not have much sweetness at all, it also burnt in the oven at the lowest recommended time (20 min then 10 min). The next batch I kept the 1/4 cup of honey, cut back the oven time by 5 minutes, and it was much better. So if your peanut butter has no added sugar, keep the honey at 1/4 cup.
Dry. I would almost double the wet mixture
Hi Tina,
Granola is intended to be dry and crunchy. The wet mixture adds flavor and sweetness, but it should not leave the granola moist after baking.
This will be my third time making this recipe. When supply starts getting low I whip up another batch. It’s. A. Must. Have. on the counter top.
This time around I did 1/4c Maple syrup 1/4cup honey and went with almond extract in lieu of vanilla.
This is Marty Me granola
Great recipe!!!!!
I’ve done it now with almond butter and almonds with almond flavoring. Which was VERY GOOD!
Also, I’m not sure if everybody knows this, but there is a coconut, flavored almond butter. I used that with coconut, almonds and a little bit of white chocolate chopped up.
This was a great recipe to make variations of. I hope everyone gives it a try.!
Hi Christine, I’m excited to try this recipe but I have a question. I tend to like my granola on the sweeter side and also would like to know if I could add a tad bit more peanut butter and honey? If I’m not able to add more of both, maybe I could add just a lbit more honey and if so how much? Would that change the consistency, and inability to crisp? Thank you, so much for the recipe!
Hi Julie,
I’d try adding more honey to start, and see how that goes. (Or, you could mix some brown sugar into the peanut butter/honey mixture.) You can experiment with different amounts of honey and peanut butter to find what works best for your tastes. 🙂
What a great combination! Smells and tastes delicious!