These Chewy Pretzel Peanut Butter Granola Bars are a simple and easy snack to make, prepared in less than 20 minutes. The kids are going to love this snack!
This post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GoldfishMix #CollectiveBias
I love this time of year when the kids’ after school activities are in full swing. Usually, this means I am exhausted and sick of running around in my car. Honestly, at the end of the day, when I get to watch my daughter score her first 2-points in her first ever basketball game, or hear my 4-year old constantly talk about how he’s going to play soccer, it makes every afternoon running around worth it.
What is a mom to do for a snack when there is barely enough time to change the kids into their uniforms? Kids get tired of the fruit, fruits snacks, or crackers. This week I was inspired after my son devoured an entire bag of Goldfish crackers as a snack.
That is when I came up with this idea of using their favorite snack time treat and turning it into a granola bar. They turned out delicious. Even my husband loved them! He said it was like eating peanut butter and honey sandwich without all the stickiness.
While shopping at Walmart, I was able to pick up a large box of pretzel Goldfish crackers. What I love about shopping at Walmart is that things are easy to find, Goldfish crackers were located at both the front of the store and in the cracker aisle.
Goldfish crackers basically make up an entire section with options like cheddar, made with whole grain, pretzel, colors, and “Flavor Blasted Xtra Cheddar Crackers.” Find out some other fantastic ways to incorporate Goldfish crackers into your snack time routine by following on Twitter @GoldfishSmiles or Facebook.com/goldfishsmiles.
Are you’re looking for an easy snack for an upcoming game or need a new treat for after school? Try these delicious Chewy Pretzel Peanut Butter Granola Bars. Your kids (and you) will love this tasty snack!
Enjoy! XOXO San
How do you make Chewy Pretzel Peanut Butter Granola Bars?
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Spray 9″ x 13″ baking pan with cooking oil or line pan with parchment paper; set aside.
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In a large bowl, stir together oats, rice cereal, and Pepperidge Farm Pretzel Goldfish.
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In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add butter, peanut butter, honey, and brown sugar.
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Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves, stirring often.
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Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
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Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated.
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Pour the granola mixture into the prepared pan, scraping the sides of the bowl to get all of the granola into the pan. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, press the granola onto the pan and really pack it down.
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Let sit for at least 2 hours.
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Cut into 18 bars. To get 18 bars, cut 6 bars going across the width, all the way across the pan, then cut each strip into 3, 4-inch sections. Wrap bars in parchment paper or buy parchment paper treat packages – I like these the best.
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Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks, but trust me, they won’t last that long.
Looking for more protein-filled to-go snacks? Try these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars, or even better, Chocolate Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars.
Don’t forget to pin this to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!
Chewy Pretzel Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar
- 3 1/2 cups oats
- 1 1/2 cups crispy rice cereal
- 1 1/2 cups pretzel Goldfish or mini pretzel balls
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Spray 9" x 13" baking pan with cooking oil or line pan with parchment paper; set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together oats, rice cereal, and Pepperidge Farm Pretzel Goldfish.
- In a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat, add butter, peanut butter, honey, and brown sugar.
- Bring to boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves, stirring often.
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the cereal and stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula until the cereal is evenly coated.
- Pour the granola mixture into the prepared pan, scraping the sides of the bowl to get all of the granola into the pan. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, press the granola onto the pan and really pack it down.
- Let set for at least 2 hours.
- Cut into 18 bars. To get 18 bars, cut 8 bars going across the length, then cut each strip into 3, 4-inch sections. Wrap in parchment paper or place in a sealed container until ready to eat.
- Store in an air-tight container for up to 2 weeks, but trust me, they won’t last that long.
I need to make these for our family! It would be easier and cheaper!
Those look fantastic! My entire house loves granola bars and I will have to try this recipe! http://www.parentinghealthy.com/
Those granola bars look amazing!
My son would love this! I think I will make some to put in his lunch box.
These look fantastic. I will definitely have to make these for my kids!
I love how you incorporated chocolate chips and pretzels together in one perfect snack for the kids. Great recipe and will definitely give it a try 🙂
This looks like such a fantastic on-the-go snack! I am so excited to make these!
My kids love homemade granola bars!
These look DELISH! My son would absolutely love these!
I love that these bars are easy to make and I have all the ingredients on hand. How fun that they use goldfish crackers!
So cute! I love that you put the pretzel fish in the granola bars. So clever! They look delicious too.
Mmm I have GOT to try these bars. Love the sweet and salty combo and how simple they are to make!
I love this idea! Pinning it for later!
Thanks for the pin!
I love that you made your own bars! Great idea for the baseball team snack!
Wow! I can’t believe they look so good and they are HOMEMADE!!
I have to try these. They look absolutely perfect.
How fun! I didn’t know they had Pretzel Gold fish. I’ve never made granola bars before… but I buy them all the time. I think I need to try these.
My kids would love these granola bars!
These look so delicious and like the perfect snack!
Oh yum! I love that the fish are right in them!
those are amazing!! I love having pretzels in my granola bars!! pinning.
These granola bars look amazing!
These look awesome!!! Would sunbutter work instead of PB?
I haven’t tried sunbutter, but I have used almond butter and it turns out. I would think you would be okay if it is the same consistency as peanut butter.
I never would have thought to add pretzel goldfish to granola bars, but it sounds delicious!
How easy are these?! I love how you wrapped them up in the paper too. Great for on the go snacks!
Love the sweet and salty combo! These sound great!
I’ve been meaning to try making my own granola bars! Your recipe looks fabulous!
now those granola bars look amazing! My kids would absolutely love to devour them! #client
Yum these look amazing! I saved the recipe! Thanks for sharing!
What a totally awesome idea! My kids love chewy granola bars, but I hate buying them. I think I need to try this recipe.
What is a good substitute for the pretzel gold fish because I am stuck at home and I want to make these NOW lol
I made these today. They are yummy! I didn’t have the goldfish, so I used mini twisted pretzels instead. Thanks for the recipe!
This looks like a great recipe. I am headed to Walmart now. One Question: do you know the nutritional facts on these bars? I am doing Weight Watchers and am hoping they end up being a healthy snack.
Thank you.
margie
Any idea how many carbs in one bar?
These homemade granola bars look & sound yummy, but I have 2 grandsons that are allergic to peanuts. Is there something else I can substitute for the peanut butter?
Karen, you could use almond butter – it is a great substitute.
Have fun with grandkids! xo San
These were a hit with my family, they did not last long at all. going to make more tomorrow. I was wondering about other variations. Thanks for sharing the recipe
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