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This no bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are easy to make with a sticky mix of oats, peanut butter and honey. Topped with a hint of chocolate, they are an irresistible, healthy snack to add to your meal prep.
If you’re tired of making a bowl of oatmeal every morning or settle for a boring granola bar as an afternoon snack, you need these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars in your life. You can throw them together while preparing your Sunday meal and snack on them all week long!
Easy to make with a sweet and sticky mix of oats, peanut butter, honey and vanilla. The mixture is pressed into a baking dish and finished with an irresistible chocolate drizzle on top. Cut the healthy granola bars into slices when they are ready and pack them with your lunch, give them to your children or store them for Hangry Emergencies.
Packed with protein and fiber, these healthy peanut butter bars are the kind of snack that will not only curb your cravings but also help you feel energized and focused. It’s a win-win situation!
Recipe functions
- A groundbreaking healthy snack with deliciously sweet and nutty flavors. No baking required!
- They are a perfect afternoon pick-me-up and a healthy handheld breakfast.
- The bars are easy to make gluten-free and vegan and contain protein and fiber in every bite.
Ingredients
peanut butter – Look for creamy or crunchy natural peanut butter with only peanuts and salt listed as ingredients. Avoid peanut butter with added sugars, hydrogenated oils and other additives.
Honey – It helps bind the oat mixture together and adds the most divine subtle sweetness. If you prefer, you can use agave syrup as a vegan substitute.
Vanilla – For a warm and sweet taste.
Salty – Just a pinch of sea salt or kosher salt makes the rest of the flavors pop.
Oatmeal – Packed with fiber and nutrientsRolled oats (also called old-fashioned oats) give the bars a firm texture and make them feel very healthy. Remember, not all oats are gluten-free! To make gluten-free oatmeal bars, you must stick to certified gluten-free oats.
Chocolate pieces – They are melted and drizzled over the oat bars. Don’t forget to use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep this recipe vegan-friendly.
Instructions
Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients. Stir the peanut butter, honey, vanilla and salt in a large saucepan over low heat until smooth and warmed through.
Step 2: Add the oats. Stir the oats into the wet mixture until blended. Transfer the oat mixture to a prepared baking pan.
Step 3: Place in the refrigerator. Once the oat mixture has cooled in the pan, drizzle the melted chocolate over it and place in the refrigerator to set.
Step 4: Cut and serve. Remove the pan from the refrigerator, cut the bars into slices and enjoy!
Tips and frequently asked questions
- Rolled oats are always best for oatmeal bars, but quick oats work in a pinch. Keep in mind that the quick oats produce a softer and less chewy texture.
- Leave the bars place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until completely hardened.
- For clean slicesRun a sharp chef’s knife under hot water after cutting each strip.
Tip
Give you peanut butter really good stirring before you start, especially if it is separated from the natural oils.
Variations
- Mix-in ideas – Stir chocolate chips, grated coconut, chia seeds, dried cranberries, flax seeds or chopped dates into the slightly cooled wet mixture before placing in the baking tin to set.
- Instead of a chocolate drizzle – Sprinkle melted white chocolate, caramel sauce or strawberry sauce over it.
- Optional toppings – After adding the drizzle, sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, or pecans), dried fruit (diced pineapple or mango), or granola before refrigerating.
- Use a different nut butter – Such as almond butter or cashew butter.
- Warming herbs – Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice into the mixture.
- Protein oat bars – Mix in a scoop of peanut butter powder (PB2) or your favorite chocolate flavored protein powder.
Can I use oat flakes instead of oatmeal?
I don’t recommend it. Like I said, rolled oats are best because they make the oatmeal breakfast bars nice and chewy. Steel-cut oats are way too dense.
Can this recipe be made nut-free?
Absolute! Simply replace peanut butter with creamy seed butter, such as sunflower seed butter. The taste will be slightly different, but the bars will still be tasty.
How much fiber and protein are in these bars?
When cut into 9 squares, each bar contains approximately 11 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. For 16 squares, the bars contain approximately 6 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates and nutritional values will vary based on the brand of your ingredients and any substitutions you make.
Storage
Room temperature: Wrap the individual bars in plastic or store them all in an airtight container for 1 to 2 days.
Refrigerator: The bars stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezer: These oat bars freeze well for 2 to 3 months. Remember to wrap them well in plastic wrap or place parchment paper between them before storing them in a freezer container. Thaw in the refrigerator if you need a convenient and healthy snack.
Even more healthy treats without baking
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. Thank you!
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
This no bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are easy to make with a sticky mix of oats, peanut butter and honey. Topped with a hint of chocolate, they are an irresistible, healthy snack to add to your meal prep.
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Portions: beams
Instructions
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In a large saucepan, stir together the peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt over low heat until combined and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
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Remove the pan from the heat and add the oats. Mix until combined, then transfer to a 9×9 square pan lined with parchment paper.
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Allow to cool to room temperature, drizzle over the melted chocolate and refrigerate for at least an hour.
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Remove from the refrigerator and from the pan. Cut into 9 or 16 bars and serve. To enjoy!
Comments
*Calories are per serving and are an estimate.
Power supply
Portion: 1G | Calories: 235kcal | Carbohydrates: 28G | Egg white: 7G | Fat: 12G | Saturated fat: 3G | Polyunsaturated fat: 3G | Monounsaturated fat: 5G | Trans fat: 0.01G | Cholesterol: 0.4mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 176mg | Fiber: 3G | Sugar: 16G | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1mg
