I cringe every time I see the price of granola at the grocery store. It’s like $4-something per box, and that box is definitely smaller than the Cheerios! I googled around to see if there were any tricks for granola. Turns out, it is just super easy. Wait till you see the price per serving!
I went with peanut butter, maple syrup, salted sunflower seeds, and oats. I was hesitant to use lots of pricey nuts until I figured out cooking times…next time! I loooove all things peanut butter. I got some maple peanut butter for xmas and it wasn’t my favorite brand on it’s own so I thought I’d amp up the maple-ness with it for granola.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_jar_590_390.jpg)
I can’t wait to try some other variations. It was the perfect not-too-sweet granola to top coffee greek yogurt!
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_bowl_590_390.jpg)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups oatmeal (not quick cooking)
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup brown sugar
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325-degrees.
Over medium low heat in a small pot, melt peanut butter and maple syrup together. Stir occasionally.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_ingred_590_390.jpg)
In a large bowl, mix oats, cinnamon, brown sugar, and sunflower seeds.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_dry_590_390.jpg)
Add the vanilla into the maple peanut butter and remove from the heat.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_melt_590_390.jpg)
Mix the peanut butter mixture into the dry mixture with a spatula. Combine well.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_mixed_590_390.jpg)
Spread onto a baking pan lined with a baking mat or lined with parchment paper.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_pan_590_390.jpg)
Bake for 15-20 minutes. I did 15 minutes and let it cool. (It wasn’t the crunchiest it could be so, I’d bake for 20 minutes next time.)
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_done_590_390.jpg)
Let cool completely and break into crumbled chunks. Store in an airtight container.
I love this. I didn’t make a huge batch because I needed to see how it went. Next time I might double it or increase it a bit. I do like the idea making small batches different each time to test ’em out. The peanut butter with cafe latte Greek yogurt was great. I loved it with coconut and vanilla Greek yogurt too.
![The Three Bite Rule - Maple Peanut Butter Granola](http://thethreebiterule.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/pb_gran_bowl_590_390.jpg)
It’s pretty good for a sweet treat in addition to breakfast. I’d love some chocolate chunks or mini chips and more nuts next time!
cost breakdown:
2 cups of old fashioned oats = $0.53
1/2 cup sunflower seeds = $0.42
1/2 cup peanut butter = $0.40
1/2 cup maple syrup (I don’t buy the real stuff) = $0.50
total = $1.85 for about 6 servings or $0.30 per serving.
that’s insane. THIRTY CENTS per serving. annnnd you know what’s in it. It could go up a lot depending on what goes into it. But I’d love walnuts or almonds and a 1/2 cup of those is not going to put this close to a $1 per serving. I think I’m likely to end up with more like 8-10 servings since it’s just a sprinkle onto of my yogurt. Case closed. I’m making my own from now on.