Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are so easy to make and require only 3 wholesome ingredients with no baking. Kid-friendly, healthy, and the perfect dessert or snack. Vegan and gluten-free.
Looking for something to satisfy that sweet tooth? It's ok, you can tell me. No judgment here. Well, I've got just the thing, especially if you’re a peanut butter lover. A healthy snack that's sure to satisfy everyone. And, no, you don't have to tell anyone these are healthy.
These easy no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars use super simple ingredients and combine the best of breakfast, snack, and dessert. So, all the major areas are covered. Right?
Oh, one more thing. This is such a great recipe you can make with your kids. It's so easy and doesn't require any electricity. It's a great way to get them into the kitchen and start teaching them to cook.
Is there anything better than spending time with the people you love most and making healthy treats? I think not.
So, put down the granola bars and whip up a batch of these amazing little cookie bars. Saying “I love you” has never been easier or cheaper.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bar Ingredients
This recipe is so simple and requires only 3 basic, but wholesome ingredients. Odds are you already have these ingredients in your pantry.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: I usually prefer organic gluten-free oats. But, any brand of old-fashioned oats will work.
- Natural Peanut Butter: I prefer creamy peanut butter in this recipe. And, make sure to read the label and the only ingredients are peanuts and maybe a little salt.
- Maple Syrup: Be sure and read the label and make sure it is pure maple syrup.
How To Make Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
These delicious and easy peanut butter bars come together in just minutes. Healthy ingredients, no baking, and kid-friendly! What could be better?
- Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with parchment paper. You could also use a loaf pan if you wish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat melt the peanut butter and maple syrup together until it's smooth.
- To a large bowl add the oats to the peanut butter mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press evenly into the baking dish. Place in the refrigerator until set, cut into squares, and enjoy.
Tips For Making Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- If you want this recipe to be gluten-free be sure and read the label to ensure the oats are 100% gluten-free.
- I wouldn’t use quick oats. I find they don’t hold together as well regular old-fashioned oats.
- Use all-natural peanut butter. The only ingredients should be peanuts and maybe a little salt. My favorite natural peanut butter brands are: Smuckers (my fave), Costco, Trader Joe's, and Whole Foods.
- Cut into smaller portions. While these are "healthy" they are very calorically dense. So, you shouldn't think you can sit down and eat the whole tray. Cut the peanut butter bars into smaller servings. One small square will fill you and give a decent energy boost.
- This is such a good recipe for meal prep. Because it freezes so well you can make several batches ahead of time, store them, and use them as needed.
How To Store
Peanut butter oatmeal bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I prefer to keep them the in the fridge because I like them firm and chilled.
Can I Freeze Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Yes, absolutely! Place the bars in a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe Variations
Feel free to get creative with this recipe and add in your favorite extras. I like non-dairy chocolate chips, raisins, dried cranberries, or even shredded coconut.
But, my favorite is to melt down the chocolate chips to use as a chocolate topping for the peanut butter oatmeal bars. Just drizzle on top before you place them in the fridge. Oh, baby!
Not a fan of peanut butter? Swap it out for almond butter.
More Healthy Vegan Desserts
I hope you enjoy this healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars recipe. It's such a delicious treat everyone is sure to love. Please leave a comment below with a star rating. I would greatly appreciate it.
3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (No Bake)
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are so easy to make and require only 3 wholesome ingredients with no baking. Kid-friendly, healthy, and the perfect dessert or snack. Vegan and gluten-free.
- Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
- Yield18 bars 1x
- DietVegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 3 cups rolled oats
Add-In Options
- Non-dairy chocolate chips
- Raisins
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish with wax paper or parchment paper. You could also use a loaf pan if you wish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir the peanut butter and maple syrup together for a few minutes until it's smooth.
- To a large bowl add the peanut butter mixture to the oats and stir until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press evenly into the baking dish. Place in the refrigerator until set, cut into squares, and enjoy.
- Prep Time: 10 mins.
- Refrigerate: 2 hours
- Category: Vegan Dessert Recipes
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Vegan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 162
- Sugar: 5.7 g
- Sodium: 63.3 mg
- Fat: 7.6 g
- Trans Fat:
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2.7 g
- Protein: 4.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Thanks for the recipe! These were a hit! I’ll need to double the recipe next time!
Super easy and super tasty!
Can date paste be used in place of maple syrup
Absolutely!
Made these exactly as the recipe says. They turned out perfectly. What a sweet, satisfying nibble. Thank you!
But, how many servings does a recipe make.?
It makes 18 bars, 1 serving is 1 bar, so 18 servings.
How can I get some chocolate in this? Add chips afterwards? How did you get the drizzled chocolate? I love your blog!!!
Hi, Julie and thank you! You can fold them in before you freeze them. As far as the drizzle, I just slowly melted chocolate chips and then drizzled with a spoon. Enjoy!
I made these bars twice. The second time I used less oatmeal, and they held together better. ‘Loved the chocolate drizzle over them!
Just realized I used quick oats instead of regular old fashioned oats, and that may be why the bars were not holding together.
Ah, yes. Quick oats are much smaller. Oh, well, I bet they work well in a bowl:)
Hi Shane! I love that you included nutritional info but the serving size is blank. How many servings does a recipe?
It’s updated now. The serving size is 1 square.
Can sun butte be used instead of peanut butter? My kids go to a nut free school.
Absolutely!!!
Can these be frozen?
Absolutely!
I made these with honey instead of maple syrup and added craisins. I also used chunky peanut butter. They are amazing! So easy to make and delicious!! I am already thinking about what else I want to add to them next time. Thank you!!
I have not made these yet…wondering if I could use honey instead of the maple syrup?
Hi, Marta! Yes, you totally can. Many vegans don’t use honey, but many who consider themselves just plant-based will use it in place of maple syrup. But, to answer your question, yes it will work:)
Will this recipe work with the dry peanut butter powder that’s extremely low in fat? I could mix up one cup of it as your recipe calls for.
I’ve not tried but I see no reason why it wouldn’t work.
I made them with PB Pure, so only 10% of the fat and the only sweetness is from the syrup. I mixed up the PB a little wetter than usual and they seemed to hold together fine. Next time I’m going full out with raisins and drizzled chocolate!
I made these with peanut powder. Mine turned out a bit crumbly so I think natural peanut butter would hold together better. They still tasted great and are a bit lower fat. I would totally make them again with peanut powder. I may make the peanut mixture a bit looser and add flax to help bind.
Yummy! I added toasted chopped pecans. So good! Thanks Shane!
Sounds awesome. And, thank you so much!!!
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are so easy to make and require only 3 wholesome ingredients with no baking. Kid-friendly, healthy, and the perfect dessert or snack. Vegan and gluten-free.
Will this recipe (and your other ones that use peanut butter) work with almond butter? My husband does not like peanut butter and it doesn’t like him. Thanks – Vickie
Almond butter should work just fine. 🙂