Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars are the perfect hearty snack for anyone who loves granola bars and cookie dough, because this one combines elements of both in a simple, elegant way.

Sometimes you just need a good snack. Not a healthy snack, not a superfood, knock-your-socks-off, your mom’s a rockstar snack, but just a good, taste, quick and easy snack, and that’s exactly what these no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars are.

Oh, they’re not junk. They have some good stuff in them – Micronutrients from honey, some good protein and fat from the peanut butter, and fiber from the oatmeal. But the selling point here is that they taste good, and they’re filling. The kind of thing you can take with you when you go hiking, or when your kids have a long field trip.

Perhaps we should add some powdered kale so we can call them a health food, but fairly healthy and really good will have to do.

I remember when I was a kid and my mom would struggle to make good homemade granola bars, and it’s funny to me now, because in the end, all she had to do was stir a few ingredients together and press them into a pan. It really was that simple. We took those “granola bars” all the way to the grand canyon one summer.

Ingredients for peanut butter oatmeal bars

These ingredients are super simple, and likely already in your pantry.

• Peanut butter. This recipe uses creamy peanut butter, if you like crunchy peanut butter, I agree that it would be really good in this recipe, but you will need to change the quantity, because there will be less butter, more solid in a crunchy version. I use semi-natural peanut butter, but not the truly natural type that is thin, and needs to be stirred to bring it together. Using that type would definitely change the consistency of your bar. 
• Honey. Since we’re not cooking these, I like to use raw honey to take full advantage of all its benefits, being antimicrobial, and prebiotic among other things.
• Oatmeal. I like to use quick oats for a less chewy texture. Note that the difference between old-fashioned oats and quick oats is that quick oats are rolled thinner, and chopped for quicker cooking. there isn’t a nutritional difference.
• Chocolate chips. Because of course. Why wouldn’t you?
• Salt. This helps balance the sweetness, and acts as an antimicrobial so they’ll last longer.
• Vanilla. A delicious flavor enhancement.

Changes and substitutions you can make

This is a no-bake, and in fact, no cook recipe, so changes can easily be made. The essential thing to keep in mind is that your peanut butter, honey, and oatmeal ratio is what makes it easy to form into bars, and stay that way – not crumbly, or falling apart.

So, you do want to be careful how many things you add that may end up disrupting it.

If you want to add different things, I would substitute some or all of the chocolate chips for them. That said, here are some changes/additive ideas.

• Almond butter instead of peanut butter.
• Maple syrup instead of honey.
• Craisins, raisins, or other dried fruit.
• Chopped nuts, or shredded coconut

Pro tip: Use mini chocolate chips instead of full sized for  more even distribution and to make the bars easier to cut.

How to make no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars

1. Melt peanut butter gently over low heat, or heat for 30 seconds in the microwave
2. Add to a large bowl with honey, vanilla, and salt, and whisk together.
   
   
3. Add oatmeal and chocolate chips.
4. Stir together well.
   
   
5. Press mixture into a parchment paper-lined 8×8 inch pan, and score into desired-sized bars with a sharp knife, as they will harden and be harder to cut as they chill.
   
   
6. Place in refrigerator for several hours until completely chilled.
7. Remove from pan, and cut completely.
8. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat.

Other recipes for you

• Healthy no-bake cookies
• Pumpkin no-bake energy bites
• No-bake chocolate chip cookie dough balls
• Peanut butter no-bake cookies
• Flourless Monster cookies

Print