So yesterday, I mentioned that my husband and I run an exterior maintenance business. I manage the ‘office side’ of that and he goes out and does the ‘on site stuff”. I am also on lunch box duty – that’s right, he doesn’t really ‘know’ his way around the kitchen nor does he really want to stop and go get lunch if he doesn’t have to. I don’t mind making his lunch – it saves money and tastes way better than some of the options that are out there. That said…I feel like I’m always challenged to keep that lunch box full and semi healthy. Seriously, he eats like there’s no tomorrow and has been blessed with a crazy high metabolism…it’s no wonder where my son gets his crazy appetite from.
Anyhow, I decided to try out these no bake granola bars the other day in hopes that they would make the lunch box cut. And did it ever! Did I mention they are no bake? And made with peanut butter and pretzels? That, my friends, is a really great combo, these are so perfect for an afternoon snack and easy to whip up on the weekend to have on hand all week long. I did double the recipe to fit a 9×13 pan, I mean really, how long do you think an 8×8 pan of granola bars would last at my house? After I cut them, I packaged two together in snack size bags and put them in the fridge for his lunch box. I also put some aside for the kids to snack on – they loved them too!
Ingredients
- 4 cups OATMEAL (quick or regular)
- 1 cup RICE KRISPIE CEREAL
- 1 1/2 cups CHOPPED PRETZELS
- 1/2 cup SALTED BUTTER
- 1/2 cup BROWN SUGAR
- 1/2 cup HONEY
- 1/2 cup CREAMY PEANUT BUTTER
- 1 Tablespoon VANILLA EXTRACT
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS or MINI REESE'S PIECES
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 pan with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
- If using regular oats, pulse a few times in a food processor to chop them up a bit. Add oats, rice krispies and chopped pretzels to a large bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter, along with brown sugar, honey and creamy peanut butter. When this mixture begins to bubble, heat for 2 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and add vanilla.
- Pour over oats mixture, stir to combine well. Press into pan and sprinkle with chocolate chips or mini Reese's pieces (or both) using your hands or the back of a spatula press pieces into bars. Chill in fridge for 30 minutes before cutting.
- Store in fridge after cutting.
Recipe Source: Two Peas and Their Pod
Because it always feels like snack time…
This post is also linked to Show Me Your Plaid Mondays, Mealtime Monday, Sugar and Slice Sunday, Sweet Sharing Monday, Mop It Up Monday, Melt In Your Mouth Mondays, Recipe Sharing Monday, Two Cup Tuesday, Time to Sparkle, Tuesday Talent Show, Totally Tasty Tuesday, What’s In Your Kitchen Wednesday, What’s Cookin’ Wednesday, Show & Share Wednesday, Cast Party Wednesday, Wicked Good Wednesdays, Whimsy Wednesday, Taste and Tell Thursdays, Your Creative Timeout, Thursdays Treasures, Artsy Corner, All Things Thursday, Chic & Crafty Party, What’s Shakin’, Weekend Potluck, I’m Lovin’ It
mmmm I love a good granola bar! This one sounds awesome with the pretzels and reese’s!!!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Time to Sparkle #4
Oh these look like a great snack! I love to make my children homemade snacks because they are so much better than a pre packaged store bought one! Plus, you get more for your money. Can’t wait to try this:)
Shannon {Cozy Country Living} recently posted..Whole Wheat Strawberry Oat Muffins
Now these are some great granola bars! They look fantastic!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers recently posted..Cinnamon Chip Bread – Starbucks Copycat Recipe
Yum! I’ve been wanting to make a granola bar and these sound so good with peanut butter. I bet they are a great lunch box addition.
This look really good! I’m not a big fan of pretzels, do you think I could leave them out?
I think you could if you really don’t like them, then maybe try increasing the amount of rice krispies to make up for the difference.
Becca@CrumbsandChaos recently posted..{No Bake} Peanut Butter Pretzel Granola Bars
I have made these before with the miniature Reeses pieces and they are one of my absolute favorite granola bars. Oddly enough I posted another variation of them today 😉
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie recently posted..Speculoos Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Granola Bars
I wouldn’t mind having you in charge of my lunch either! He’s a lucky man 🙂 these granola bars look amazing, as all your stuff always does Becca — and the pictures are amazing, too!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Reese’s Chocolate Potato Chip Cookies
I love these! I have to make them. You’re so sweet to make your hubby’s lunch. I’d just glare and say, eat bread. 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Nutella Strawberry Tart & Giveaway
Oh my word, what a perfect snack!
Thanks for linking up to What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Karly recently posted..What’s Cookin’ Wednesday #14
These look like fun! I love the ease and taste of no bake granola bars but never thought of adding pretzles! The reeses pieces go so well with the peanut butter. I am definitely going to mix up the add ins the next time I make granola bars. Thanks!
Wendy recently posted..Espresso Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
Becca girl – these look seriously amazing! I’ve been coming up with ideas to take for Reece’s soccer and swim days and this looks perfect! Pinned and sharing on FB 🙂 Hope you’re having an awesome weekend!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted..Your Creative Timeout Party {No.77}
I love this recipe. It looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing at Two Cup Tuesday at Pint Sized Baker. I’ve pinned this for later.
Karyn – Pint Sized Baker recently posted..Blueberry Cobbler for Two
Thank you for joining last week’s All Things Thursday Link-Up!! We love this post and are featuring it in this week’s round-up of favorites at All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 19} and Featured Favorites 🙂
Sarah recently posted..All Things Thursday Link-Up {No. 19}
Becca, you must be my new favorite person. How soon can I download these!? Pinning! Saw you featured over at All Things With a Purpose.
Beth @ The First Year Blog