There are just some things in life that we will NEVER grow out of.
For me it’s a long list of things…but at the top of that list are hugs from my mama, letting my arm “fly” out the window while riding in the car, and always, always, ALWAYS the salty sweet combo of peanut butter and jelly.
And speaking of my mama, who flat out CONFISCATED this granola from my house the day of our after-Christmas shopping spree, she would like you all to know that it tastes great mixed with coconut flavored yogurt!
Thanks for the review mom. Now gimme back my jar…preferably filled with more of those Orange Rosemary Shortbreads! π
Since I first whipped up a batch of this granola to gift to my friends at work for Christmas, I’ve made three additional batches…each one with a little tweak here and a little tweak there, but let me tell you, this is one recipe you canNOT mess up…well, unless you forget the sugar…then it kinda tastes like air.
Not that I actually did that or anything! π
This is the perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack for children of ANY age! It’s free of refined sugar and, with a little added protein boost from the peanut flour, it’s incredibly filling! If you don’t have peanut flour, simply replace it with more wheat germ which I love using since it helps form great granola clusters! And for all my friends out there with peanut allergies, this would be just as tasty with nut butter alternative…I think my next batch will be involving some sunflower seed butter!
PB&J Granola
By:Β
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Keywords: bake breakfast snack dairy-free gluten-free high protein vegan vegetarian peanut butter
Ingredients (5 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup wheat germ
- 1/4 cup peanut flour (or more wheat germ)
- 2 Tablespoons Demerara sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons grapeseed oil (or olive or coconut)
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts
- 3/4-1 cup dried fruit (cranberries, blueberries, cherries, raisins)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350Β°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. To a large bowl, add oats, wheat germ, peanut flour (if using), cinnamon, and sugar and stir to combine.
3. In a microwave-safe bowl, stir together peanut butter and syrup and heat on high for 30 seconds.
4. Pour peanut butter sauce over oat mixture and stir until all the dry ingredients are coated well.
5. Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through.
6. Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before combining with peanuts and dried fruit.
7. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
What is one thing you will NEVER grow out of?
What will you kids be up to this weekend?
I’ll be heading over to my parent’s house on Saturday to commandeer my granola jar spend some time with my family…and there’s talk of lunch involving another thing I should add to my list…PIZZA!! π
I made my first granola last week. It was so easy! I was surprised! This one looks yummy!
Aww, YAY!! I remember how surprised I was with my first batch too…which wasn’t that long ago! I can’t believe it took me so long to try making it myself, but I’m definitely hooked now!
This recipe sounds fabulous! Sunbutter granola is also a great idea! Put your hand on your heart and tell me this really lasts two weeks! I think in my kitchen it would not last longer than two days π
I love your photos by the way! They look so pretty and professional!
Have a lovely weekend π
Aww, thank you so much Juli! And I’ll be honest, in MY house, it didn’t last more than three days, but my mom is a bit slow so I know she had hers for closer to two weeks before she FINALLY finished it off! How that woman practices self-control in some instances is BEYOND me! Lol
I am definitely going to have to make this. I was just thinking that I needed to make a batch of granola soon; it’s been a while! Do you know if I could substitute something for the wheat germ to make it gluten-free? Maybe ground flaxseed would work?
Oh yeah! I was just telling another commenter that flaxseed would work great…or you could also use gluten-free instant oats or a mix of the two! This recipe is really forgiving!
Ahhhhh shhhhhiiiii —-! GRANOLAAAA! PB&J (jay jay jay jay) I want to shout about this granola on the top of a mountain. I’ve never heard of peanut flour and I love, LOVE trying new flours…or anything related to peanuts. I feel like every man woman and child on this green earth should be eating this granola today. right now! Have a great weekend!
Haha! Awww, Julia!! I love you! And oh my gosh, you NEED some peanut flour in your life! It’s awesome for making gluten-free pancakes…and mug cakes…and healthier peanut sauces…AND…can you tell I’m a bit obsessed? π
This looks great, Heather! I am a sucker for pb&j but I know how bad it can be for you when you don’t eat it in a healthy manner… but to make it into granola? Genius! I loooove having new flavors of granola to try! THanks for sharing, love!
Thanks girlie! Oh yeah, I’m all about finding new ways to amp up the protein in PB&J…gotta have something to stick to ma’ ribs! π
I had a legit PB&J sandwich for dinner last night, and it was awesome. You really can’t ever go wrong with peanut butter and jelly.
Peaaaanuttttt, peanut butterβ¦AND JELLY!!
First you take the peanuts and you crunch ’em, you crunch ’em! π
This looks great! I literally eat granola and yogurt every morning for breakfast- I am a creature of habit. I have yet to try to make my own, so this is a great place to start! Thanks, lady.
You’re welcome, lovely! I swear, it took me YEARS to make my first batch of granola, but now that I’ve tried my hand at a few recipes and realized how easy it is, I’m HOOKED! So many new flavor combos in my head right now…must write down before I forget!!! Haha!
It has been forever since I made my own granola! This does look perfect though – I’m with you on never growing out of PB & J :-p although honestly, I don’t think I started eating it until university – I always had a kid with peanut butter allergies in my class all through elementary school, so we weren’t allowed to bring it. I’m slightly ashamed that I didn’t realize how awesome the combo was until I was 17. Boo.
Oh wow! I hope you’ve been making up for all those lost years, girlie! Lol
Oh my gosh, I love granola! Lately, I’ve been lazy and been buying it; although, I’m all out now. I really need to start making it again! This looks so amazing! Do you think I substitute flaxseed meal (that’s what I have at home now) for the wheat germ?
Of course! This recipe is SO forgiving…you could sub in the flaxseed, or mix in some instant oats, or do half and half and it would work great! π
I had no idea what kind of sugar that was until I looked it up… so is it like what you see from sugar in the raw then? Either way, I love pbj and I love granola so I mean, this is a win win recipe for me π
Yep, same stuff! π
I don’t think I will ever grow out of grilled cheese! These days mine are a bit more “fancy” if you will; well at least compared to the ones I ate as a kid! I like to add different types of cheese rather than just sticking to cheddar π
Oh yeah! A mulit-cheese grilled cheese is where it’s AT!! Gone are the days of plain Kraft singles! Lol
This looks fabulous! I used to make my own granola at least once a month, but I haven’t made any in eons! With your tips for making this nut free, I think I just may have to whip up a batch. π
I’m seriously kicking myself for not getting into making my own granola sooner…how much money have I spent on something that is SO incredibly easy to make at home?! And of course, now that I’ve had so many successful batches, I’ve got a stream of ideas for new combos running through my head! I’ll probably burn the next batch I make! Ha!
I can’t keep granola in the house because I have no self-control around it…That’s why I gave it away as christmas presents, so I could eat some and give the rest away! I was a strict PB NO jelly growing up but I have since been converted. Though I could never grow out of PB + banana sammies π
Haha! It is hard to resist isn’t it? I was actually glad my mother absconded with it…so I didn’t have to wait to make another test batch! π Is it weird that I used to love soggy peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when I was little? Especially if they got all smooshed up in my lunch box! Haha! And can you believe I NEVER had a PB and banana sandwich until I was an adult? Craziness!
Peanuuuuuutt, peanut butter, and jelly! Peeeeannnuuuuuuttttt, peanut butter, and jelly!
Got it? Good!
I will never grow out of the ZOO!! And Disneyland!! And Princesses and sparkles, sprinkles, and Christmastime
Awww, the zoo! I’m right there with ya on that! Have you ever been to the one in St. Louis? It’s HUGE! And Disneyland is totally on my bucket list! π
I will never, ever grow out of PB&J. Specifically, grilled PB&J. I’ll take some granola on top too.
Other things I will always love: hoodies, drinking straight from the carton, and a disdain for making the bed.
I have a hoodie on right now…I can’t remember the last time I had almond milk in a glass…and on any given day, you will find my sheets and blankets hanging off the bed! I love you! Now make me a grilled PB&J! π
salty sweet goodness. I love thee! PB and J will never get old here. I bet this granola would be really good in a bite.. just sayin
Love making granola! Last year I had a yogurt bowl with homemade granola almost every night for dinner for months. As often as I have made granola I have never thought of adding peanuts. I need to change that next time I make granola. I usually add peanut butter and then almonds but this sounds so good!
I still have a pb sandwich almost every day for lunch! Going to bed before 9 will never get old either (:
Oh wow this sounds absolutely delicious!
oh my gee Sweet AND Salty- this is amazing. Once I get an oven (well, once I FIND A DAMN PLACE IN SYDNEY!) I will give this a go- and thank you vitacost for sending me my package 2 months later..peanut flour refilled. Phew!
Speaking of sweet and salty….I really hope this doesn’t gross you out but in an attempt to clean out my fridge, I used the remainder of the SECOND batch of your pesto mixed with apple slices and chicken in a sandwich. It was so good, especially since I left out alot of the lemon juice in the second batch. I think pesto + apple might be my new favourite sweet and salty combination!
Ha! I take it in your quest to tackle the broccoli backlogs, you haven’t gotten to this post yet: http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2012/12/21/crab-apple-cakes-with-kale-walnut-pesto/…hon, I’m not sure you COULD gross me out if you tried! π
PB & J…. a heavenly combo! I remember all my school lunches being packed with one every single day. Never got tired of it, never will.
I am definitely going to be making this in the near future!
I will never grow out of my love for Disney. Nope. Sorry. Won’t happen!
I am thrilled you are on the granola train. Coming from you, the possibilities are going to be endless and most likely Strange But Good.
I never ate PB&J growing up; I still won’t. When I was a child, I didn’t like my food to touch and if it did, I wouldn’t eat it. PB&J was the ultimate different foods touching so I stayed far away. I know, I’m not normal. That being said, the Hubby is a big fan of PB&J; he eats them all the time so I may be giving this a whirl and seeing what he thinks. Who knows? It might be my first time having PB&J. π
Oh my….well…gosh! I would be HONORED! π Seriously girl, you have been missing out! I was that kid too, but it was more along the lines of peas and potatoes touching. My great grandmother used to watch my mouth drop when she did that on Sunday afternoons. She’d always say, “It all goes to the same place, sweetie!” Haha!
And as far as granola goes, yeah, pretty sure you’ve created a monster! And I LOVE you for it!