Off the chain

January 11, 2010

Peanut Butter Granola

Define: off the chain

1. (adj.) awesome
2. (adj.) out of control
3. (adj.) no longer on the chain
4. (adj.) a term used to describe peanut butter granola

You may have guessed I like love peanut butter. Coming up with interesting ways to incorporate it into recipes is sort of an ongoing obsession. So while I continue working out the kinks in a lightened-up Asian noodle salad recipe, I share with you my latest concoction: peanut butter granola. I served this granola at a recent brunch, after which a close friend playfully deemed it “off the chain”. Those of you who know me (and said friend) would agree I’m (we’re) not exactly one(s) to use the expression in passing. Though, I’m having an embarrassing amount of fun thinking about how it would sound in casual conversation…

Grandma, this chicken noodle soup is off the chain.

Do these off the chain boots come in size 9.5?

Wow, this wine tasting party is completely and utterly off the chain!

Oh my, I’ll stop there. (You know you’re a dork when you actually laugh out loud at your own lame attempt at a joke.)

Back to more important matters. This granola would be great sprinkled on top of vanilla yogurt, oatmeal, strawberry ice cream, or a scoop of peanut butter (Overkill? Nah). While I’ve not tried it, I bet you could easily replace the PB with almond butter and switch out the peanuts for almonds.

I do have to mention that the husband couldn’t care less for this particular granola. He’s just not that into peanut butter. A tragedy, I agree. If PB isn’t your thing either, I’d pass this granola recipe by. I have another one in store for you later.

Peanut Butter Granola

  • ¼ cup smooth or crunchy natural peanut butter
  • 2 tsp vegetable oil
  • 1 Tb honey*
  • 1 Tb real maple syrup
  • 2/3 cup steel cut oats
  • 2/3 cup quick cooking oats
  • ¼ tsp salt**
  • ½ cup unsalted peanuts
  • 1/3 cup raisins or dried cranberries (optional)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

In a small microwave safe dish, combine the peanut butter, vegetable oil, honey and maple syrup. Microwave on HIGH for 15-20 seconds, or until the peanut butter thins a bit.  Stir the ingredients until completely combined.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, salt and peanuts.  Add the peanut butter mixture and stir until all ingredients are evenly coated.  Spread onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in preheated oven for 1 hour (stirring every 20 minutes), or until golden brown and fragrant.  Allow to cool and stir in raisins.  Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks (if it lasts that long).

*I prefer a less sweet granola, which is what you’ll get if you follow the above recipe.  If you like a sweeter granola, add a little more honey or maple syrup. No honey or maple syrup in the house? I’d replace with brown sugar.

**If you use regular peanut butter (i.e. JIF with salt added), reduce added salt to a “dash” or omit.

Makes about 2 ½ cups.

10 Comments

  1. Becky

    January 11, 2010 at 8:18 am


    Ahhhh – I feel famous ;) I can attest that this is, without a doubt, ‘off the chain’!!!

  2. Danna

    January 11, 2010 at 10:13 am


    I second that, this PB granola is phenomenal! :)

  3. Stephanie

    January 11, 2010 at 1:27 pm


    Carolyn -

    Love the site! It’s gorgeous and great! Glad I found it and I’m trying to think how I did…

    Stephanie a la Cincodrive.

  4. Ellen

    January 11, 2010 at 7:24 pm


    Considering I am currently hoarding 7 jars of nut butter—Now before you judge, keep in mind that I have had 2 jars of natural PB at home (this is reasonable, right?!), and then I forgot I had 2 here at school since I have been home for winter break, so I bought 2 more when I came back…And I also have almond butter in the fridge. O.K. so maybe I am “nuts” (no pun intended), but with all of this PB, what else is a girl to do but to make a batch of your “off the chain” granola? My PB will go to good use!

  5. Carolyn

    January 11, 2010 at 8:24 pm


    Ellen: It’s like shoes – a girl’s got to have options, right?!

    So yes, I think you should make up a batch, or twelve. :)

  6. Laura

    January 12, 2010 at 10:14 am


    Yum.

  7. Lisa

    January 13, 2010 at 4:13 pm


    I enjoy a few AFRICAN recipes with peanut butter in them. One is Zimbabwe Greens: collards, tomatoes, onion, and peanut butter …delicious!

    ASIAN/ORIENTAL recipes too. I recently made an oriental sweet potatoes recipe with mashed sweet potatoes, fresh onions, mushrooms, soy sauce (actually Braggs), and freshly chopped peanuts.

  8. Carolyn

    January 13, 2010 at 4:42 pm


    Collards and PB, who knew?!

  9. Becky

    January 16, 2010 at 12:48 pm


    I made this again this morning for the second time since you posted the recipe! It is so delicious!

  10. Carolyn

    January 16, 2010 at 2:06 pm


    Becky: Awesome! But be cautious. This may be the beginning of an addiction. I speak from experience!

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