Easy Peasy Peanut Butter Granola

My toddler is always craving a healthy snack and, thankfully, she is not a picky eater. You put food in her and it's gone, she was the same way when she was nursing. The nice thing about having a daughter with a broad palette, is that I get to experiment with a lot of food and meal options. So, this morning, I decided to pull out the rolled oats and test out some granola. Interested?

It's really simple, and was inspired by the vegan Peanut Butter Granola recipe from Minimalist Baker. What's the difference? I'm not vegan, an no offense, let's bring on the butter! I've also added brown sugar, cinnamon, honey and introduced a little cocoa powder for fun. Will you give it a try?

We Love Peanut BUTTER Granola

INGREDIENTS: 

3 1/4 Cup Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Salted Butter
1/4 Cup Smooth Peanut Butter
1/4 Cup Honey
2 TBSP Brown Sugar
1 1/4 TBSP Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1/3 TBSP Cinnamon 
1/2 TSP Salt
Optional: Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat to 340 degrees and toss your oats with brown sugar, cinnamon and cocoa powder.
2. Cut up your butter into cubes,  and combine it into an oven safe bowl with your peanut butter and honey. Place the dish in the oven for 3 minutes. 
3. Once it's done, pull out the butter mixture and stir it together, placing it back into the oven for an additional 3 minutes. (Alternatively, you may melt and warm your mixture on the stove top, I just love doing it this way!)
4. Stir your mixture again until it's really smooth and well incorporated.
5. Pour it into your dry oat mixture and give it a good toss.
6. Transfer your granola to a cookie sheet and spread it out to avoid large clumps.
7. Bake it for 20 minutes.
8. Make sure to toss it after 15 minutes for an even bake.
9. Mix it again when you take it out of the oven, and allow it to cool.
10. Enjoy.

This is a great recipe to put together and eat throughout the week, or freeze for later on. It's great with milk, out of a travel bag, or mixed with fruit. Let us know how you have used this recipe! And, you can find it on Calorie Count here!