Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bars (No-Bake)
on Jan 01, 2019, Updated May 06, 2026
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These no-bake sweet and salty peanut butter granola bars have the most delicious sweet and salty flavour from dates, peanut butter and pretzels. These make a great alternative to store-bought energy bars and are very easy to make.
Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Granola Bars
- Just 4 ingredients: pretzels, dates, peanut butter and almonds.
- No baking required, ready in 15 minutes.
- Sweet and salty with a satisfying crunch from the pretzels.
- Vegan, no added sugar and easily made gluten-free.
- Versatile. Press into bars, roll into balls or crumble over smoothie bowls, yogurt or ice cream.
- Great for meal prep, snacking on the go or a healthier dessert.
If you love these, you’ll love Peanut Butter Granola, Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars, Cranberry Granola Bars (Baked) and Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars.
Ingredient Notes
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Almonds: Use raw almonds with no added oil or salt. You can substitute peanuts or cashews.
- Dates: Any variety of date works as long as they’re soft and moist. If your dates are overly dry or you’re not sure, soak them pitted in hot water for 15 minutes then drain before using in the recipe.
- Peanut Butter: Use natural peanut butter or substitute any other nut or seed butter such as tahini or almond butter.
- Pretzels: Any variety of small, crunchy pretzels. Look for gluten-free pretzels to make these bars gluten-free.
How to Make Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Step 1: Add the almonds to a food processor and blend until they’re broken down into a grainy flour.
Step 2: Add the peanut butter and dates and process again until you have a thick, sticky dough. You could be able to press the dough into a little ball between your fingers or it may clump up into one big ball as it blends.
Quick Tip: If the dough isn’t clumping up in to a big, sticky ball, add 1-2 tbsp warm water and process again.
Step 3: Add the pretzels and pulse a few times to mix them in. If you’re adding anything like chocolate chips, cacao nibs or raisins, add those now as well.
Step 4: Firmly press the dough into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan, taking a few minutes to really press it down until flat and even. Transfer the pan to the freezer for an hour to firm. It’s helpful to use wetted hands to smooth the surface of the bars.
Step 5: Lift the bars out of the pan and slice into portions. You can make 8 granola bars or 16 squares.
Deryn’s Notes
- It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are dry, you’ll need to soak them first to soften. Simply place in a bowl of hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before use.
- For an added treat, add up to 1/2 cup chocolate chips or spread melted chocolate or use the chocolate ganache from these No-Bake Cashew Cookie Dough Bars.
- Other add-ins that work are raisins, cranberries, white chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Mix and match up to 1/2 cup total.
How to Store
- Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: Store in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 4 months.
- The bars are ok at room temperature if you’re taking them to-go but try to keep cool if possible as they’ll get soft if it’s warm.
If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe, and I love to hear from you. Thanks for trying my recipes! – Deryn
Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter Granola Bars (No-Bake)
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds, 150 g
- 1 cup packed, soft pitted dates (220 g)
- 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, 80 g
- 1 1/4 cup crushed pretzels
Instructions
- Place the almonds in a food processor and mix until they’re broken down into very small pieces, almost into a flour.
- Add the dates and peanut butter and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough you can press between your fingers. If it seems too crumbly, add 1-2 tbsp warm water and blend again.
- Crush the pretzels and then add them in, pulsing just enough to mix them through. Or you can just stir them through with a spoon or your hands.
- Line a 7 or 8-inch square parchment paper then press the dough firmly into the pan taking a few moments to flatten it and firmly press it into all corners.
- Place the bars in the freezer for at least 1 hour to firm.
- Once they’re ready, lift out of the pan, cut into bars and enjoy!
Hi Deryn. This recipe of no-bake PB energy bars sounds great. What could I use instead of pretzels that is gluten free? Any ideas. Thank you
You can just leave them out, use gluten-free pretzels if you find them, or have a look through the Energy Bar section under Snacks as the rest of my bar recipes are gluten-free. Thanks!
I made those bars but I rolled mine like round balls and added 1/4 cup roasted unsalted sunflower seeds and 1/4 cup pumpkin seed and a few cranberries. They rock. I had to press down a little more to incorporate the seeds but it was really good I like extra nuts …they taste so good like date, oat square I used to bake with butter and all the fat. They are the best snacks for kids. My 2 years old grand daughter loves it…thanks!!!