Chewy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars

I enjoyed these granola bars I made a few weeks ago so much I decided to try my hand at making them again. I made a few changes this time; I added some peanut butter and a few scoops of rice cereal for texture. 

I think I like these bars even better than the last ones. They really hold up well in or out of the fridge. They make a perfect on the go breakfast.  My in house taste tester took one to work the other day and I got a text a few hours later that said “Holy Shit that breakfast bar is really good!” I knew I had struck granola bar gold!

What you need,

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¼ cup butter

¼ smooth peanut butter

½ cup honey

2/3 cup brown sugar

3½ cups oats, I used quick cook because it is what I had

2 cups rice cereal

1 tsp. vanilla extract

¾ cup dried cranberries or raisins

½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini chips would work even better than the regular sized ones I had but they were fine

Like a 9X13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, spray lightly with non-stick spray.

In a large bowl stir together the oats, rice cereal and dried cranberries.

In a small saucepan combine the butter, peanut butter, honey and brown sugar. Heat over medium until the mixture comes to boil, stirring occasionally. 

Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

Pour over the oat mixture and stir to combine well.  Press the mixture evenly into the pan and sprinkle with the chocolate chips. Press the chips lightly to make them stick.

Cool in the fridge for an hour or 2 before cutting into bars.  I got 12 bars.  I wrapped them each in saran wrap then put them all into a large zip top bag. I kept them in the fridge until I was ready to toss them into my lunch bag. 

These bars are fabulous! I think you could change up the nut butter and dried fruit to anything you like. How about almond butter with dried apricots and pistachios? Or cashew butter with dried cherries and cashews?  Even Nutella with about almonds and chocolate chips would be fabulous! The possibilities are endless.

Enjoy!

Jen