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Healthy Peanut Butter Granola Bars

These homemade granola bars combine oats, nuts, seeds and dried fruit with natural peanut butter and honey. I also add Zinzino ZinoBiotic+ to increase the fibre content and introduce a wider variety of dietary fibres.

Ingredients:

225 g rolled oats
70 g almonds, roughly chopped
45 g pumpkin seeds
50 g dried cranberries
25 g unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 level scoops Zinzino ZinoBiotic+, approximately 12 g or any other you prefer. My preference: https://nutritional-balance.com/product/zinobiotic-180g/
125 g natural peanut butter
110 g honey
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt

If necessary, choose certified gluten-free oats. For less added sugar, look for dried cranberries with little or no added sugar.

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 170°C fan or 180°C conventional. Line a 20 cm square baking tin with baking paper, leaving enough paper around the edges to lift the bars out later.
Place the rolled oats, chopped almonds, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, coconut flakes, chia seeds, ZinoBiotic+ fiber and salt into a large mixing bowl. Stir until everything is evenly distributed.
Add the peanut butter and honey to a small saucepan. Warm gently over low heat, stirring until the mixture is smooth and easy to pour. Do not allow it to boil.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the water and vanilla extract.
Pour the warm peanut-butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Mix thoroughly until all the oats, nuts and seeds are evenly coated. The mixture should feel moist and sticky.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking tin. Press it down very firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a glass. Pressing it firmly is important because it helps the bars hold together.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden. Do not overbake them, as they will continue to firm as they cool.
Leave the mixture in the tin until completely cold, for approximately one hour. For cleaner slices, place it in the refrigerator for another 20–30 minutes before cutting.
Lift it out of the tin using the baking paper and cut it into 16 smaller or 12 larger bars.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container:

At room temperature for up to 5 days
In the refrigerator for up to 10 days
In the freezer for up to 2 months

Place baking paper between the layers to prevent the bars from sticking together.

Important tip

Allow the mixture to cool completely before cutting it. If you cut it while it is still warm, the bars are more likely to crumble.
When increasing your fibre intake, do so gradually and remember to drink enough water.

Makes: 16 smaller or 12 larger bars
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 20–25 minutes
Cooling time: approximately 1 hour
Total time: approximately 1 hour 35 minutes

Why it is good for you

Oats provide complex carbohydrates and soluble fibre, including beta-glucan. Fibre supports normal digestion, while the combination of fibre, protein and healthy fats can help make a snack more satisfying.

Almonds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds and natural peanut butter provide plant protein, unsaturated fats, magnesium and additional fibre. These nutrients are particularly valuable as we get older, when maintaining muscle, supporting digestive health and choosing filling, nutrient-dense foods become increasingly important.

Zinzino ZinoBiotic+ fiber contains a blend of eight dietary fibres. Adding two scoops contributes approximately 8.5 g of additional fibre to the complete recipe. Using a variety of fibres is helpful because different fibres behave differently within the digestive system.

Link: https://nutritional-balance.com/product/zinobiotic-180g/

The dried cranberries provide a slightly sweet and tangy flavour, while coconut adds texture. Honey helps bind everything together. Honey is still an added sugar, so these bars are best enjoyed as a nutritious homemade treat rather than an unlimited snack.

One smaller bar is ideal alongside Greek yoghurt, kefir or another protein-rich food for a more balanced and satisfying snack.

Approximate calories

When divided into 16 smaller bars, each bar provides approximately:

190 calories
6 g protein
4 g fibre

When divided into 12 larger bars, each bar provides approximately:

250 calories
8 g protein
5–5.5 g fibre

These values are estimates and will vary according to the brands and exact quantities used.

Disclosure: This recipe contains Zinzino ZinoBiotic+, a product I personally use. I am an independent Zinzino Partner and may receive a commission if you choose to purchase through my link, at no additional cost to you.