Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
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No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are perfect for a quick and healthy snack. Packed with oats, peanut butter, nuts, and dried fruit, and are sweetened with a bit of maple syrup, so they make a great addition to your list of healthy snacks for the kids!
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Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Energy Bars
Looking for a quick, healthy snack that’s easy to make and packed with flavor? These no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars might just become your go-to! Each bite is a mix of creamy peanut butter, chewy oats, crunchy nuts, and tangy dried fruits, making it both tasty and healthy. Plus, kids love them, and you can easily change the ingredients to match your favorite flavors.
With no baking required, these bars save you time in the kitchen while delivering big on taste. They’re great for lunchboxes, as an on-the-go breakfast, or as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast—my family practically counts down the minutes until they’re cool enough to cut into squares!
Why you’ll love These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients And Tips For Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars
(Ingredients at a glance, find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.)
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter works best, but if you only have crunchy on hand, that’s fine too. Swap it out for almond or cashew butter if you prefer.
- Maple Syrup: Stick to pure maple syrup for natural sweetness. Honey also works well here.
- Toasted Rolled Oats: Toasting the oats gives them a deeper flavor. Skip this step if you’re in a rush, but lightly toasting them adds a nice nuttiness.
- Craisins: Dried cranberries bring a tangy sweetness, but feel free to use raisins, chopped apricots, or dried cherries.
- Chopped Nuts: Walnuts are my choice, but almonds, pecans, or even seeds like pumpkin or sunflower work just as nicely.
- Salt: A sprinkle of salt enhances all the flavors and provides balance.
How To Make Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars
1 Get your pan ready. Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over the side for easy removal. Lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray.
2 Prepare the peanut butter. Combine the peanut butter and maple syrup in a bowl and microwave until the mixture is completely melted.
3 Add the remaining ingredients. Stir in the oats, craisins, nuts and salt, making sure everything is well coated with the peanut butter mixture.
4 Transfer mixture. Spread mixture into pan and press firmly. Refrigerate until cold.
5 Serve. Once the oatmeal and peanut butter have firmed up, remove from the fridge and cut into squares.
Recipe Tips
- Use parchment paper to line your pan; it makes cleanup easy and helps you remove the bars in one piece.
- Thoroughly combine the peanut butter mixture with the oats and other ingredients to ensure every bite is well-balanced.
- Don’t rush the cooling process; give the bars enough time to firm up in the fridge before cutting them into squares.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan to avoid crumbles when cutting.
Variations
- Chocolate Chips: Stir in milk or dark chocolate chips for a touch of indulgence.
- Shredded Coconut: Add unsweetened shredded coconut for extra texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla adds warmth and depth to the flavors.
- Cinnamon or Nutmeg: Sprinkle in some warming spices for an autumnal twist.
- Seed Butter: Make these nut-free by swapping peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and adding pumpkin or chia seeds instead of nuts.
Storage Suggestions
Once the bars are firm and cut into squares, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for about a week.
For a longer-lasting option, wrap them individually and keep them in the freezer for up to three months. Just thaw a bar for a few minutes at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
FAQs
Do I have to toast the oats?
No, you don’t have to toast the oats, but doing so gives the bars a nuttier, richer flavor. If you have raw oats, they’ll work just fine too.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Use certified gluten-free oats to keep this recipe gluten-free.
How firm should the bars be when ready?
The bars should feel firm and hold their shape when you cut them, thanks to the cooled peanut butter mixture. If they’re too soft, refrigerate them a bit longer.
Can I use another kind of sweetener?
Sure! Honey, agave, or even date syrup would work as alternatives to maple syrup. You may need to adjust the quantity slightly to get the same consistency.
Can I make these bars nut-free?
Yes, if you want nut-free bars use a seed butter like sunflower seed or pumpkin seed and add seeds instead of nuts.
How many bars does this recipe make?
If you cut them into squares, you’ll get about 10 to 12 bars, depending on the size you prefer.
If you’re on the lookout for easy and healthy snacks for kids, definitely give these peanut butter oatmeal bars a shot!
More simple and Healthy Snack Ideas for kids:
- Easy Green Smoothie Popsicles
- Banana Nut Chia and Yogurt Parfait
- Baked Apple Chips
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Dip
- Healthy Banana and Oatmeal Cookies (no butter, sugar, flour or dairy)
Give this recipe a try and let me know how you mix it up—I’d love to hear your ideas!
Did You Make These Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars?
Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and/or a review in the comments section below. If you share an image on Instagram or Facebook, be sure to tag me and use #scatteredmomrecipes!
Print
Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 9 to 12 bars 1x
- Category: snacks
- Method: no bake
Description
This No-Bake Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Bars Recipe is easy to make, filling, and is a great addition to your list of healthy snacks for kids!
Ingredients
- 1 cup, plus 2 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 cups (cooled) toasted rolled oats (lightly toasted in a dry nonstick skillet over medium-high heat on your stovetop, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- 1/2 cup craisins (or other dried fruit)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or your favorite nut)
- 1/2 tsp salt
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Instructions
- Line an 8-inch pan with parchment paper (leave extra hanging over the side for easy removal from the pan)
- Lightly coat parchment with cooking spray.
- Add peanut butter and maple syrup to a large bowl, cover, and heat in the microwave for about 2 minutes, stirring at the halfway mark until they are thoroughly melted and mixed together.
- Stir in oats craisins, nuts and salt. Make sure all ingredients are thoroughly coated with the peanut butter mixture. (If not thoroughly mixed, you run the risk of the bar being a bit crumbly.)
- Spread mixture into pan and press firmly.
- Refrigerate til cold (at least an hour.)
- Remove from pan and cut into squares.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
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Supper easy and love them
Bars came out great. Forgot to toast the oats but was delicious. Will toast oats next time.
I’m confused on the oats. Do they need to be cooked first as the box says before toasting or toast raw oats?
just toast the raw oats
This’s such an attracting blog and nice recipe. I will try doing this bake tommorrow..