No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (2024)

ByKrista March 9, 2023May 10, 2024

These no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars come together quickly for the perfect quick breakfast or healthy snack! Made with just 5 simple ingredients- peanut butter, honey, oatmeal, vanilla and salt, these are easy to whip up any time!

These peanut butter no bake oatmeal bars are a staple in our house. I almost always have the ingredients on hand so that I can make them to feed my house full of hungry boys!

This peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe is super versatile too, you can add ingredients to make additional flavors, or add more nutrition. They are a hearty no make treat with a delicious chewy texture and tons of peanut butter flavor.

These no bake peanut butter bars are a healthy treat that is full of wholesome ingredients, free of refined sugar and loaded with fiber and protein. They make a sweet treat that you can feel good about eating and giving to your children! They are a great after school snack or lunch box treat, and they even make an amazing grab and go breakfast! You can control all of your ingredients and make these wholesome bars with organic ingredients and raw honey to make them as healthy as possible!

FAQ Variations & Tips-

Can I use a different sweetener?

Absolutely! I love to make these with raw honey but you can swap it out for other sweeteners. Pure maple syrup, agave syrup or even brown sugar. You can use the same amount of any other sweetener but it may change the taste or sweetness level. You can always add a bit more or less sweetener to adjust to your taste.

Can I use other nut butters?

Absolutely, if you don’t like peanut butter, or have an intolerance you can swap it out for other nut butter. Almond Butter, sunflower seed butter or cashew butter are great options.

Great add ins-

These no bake peanut butter oat bars are easy do dress up with additional ingredients if you want to! If you are making these for breakfast bars you can add in things like chia seeds or ground flax seeds to add more nutritional value. Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, shredded coconut and raisins also make a great addition. You can add any additions to the dry ingredients before mixing them into the peanut butter mixture or you can press them on top after putting the oatmeal peanut butter mixture in the pan.

Can I use quick oats?

This recipe is made with old fashioned oats but you can make it with quick cooking oats if you’d like or that is what you have on hand. The quick cooking oats will result in a different texture.

What is the best peanut butter to use?

Most peanut butter lovers have their favorite brand and you can use your favorite! When it comes to creamy peanut butter, natural peanut butter, or crunchy peanut butter any of them will work. Creamy peanut butter results in a great texture that really highlights the oats to create chewy oatmeal bars. I like to use natural peanut butter with no sugar so that I can control the sweetness of the bars. And crunchy peanut butter adds tasty peanut crunch to the bars.

Plan ahead-

The hardest part about these bars is waiting for them to be done! They need to set for about 8 hours so make sure to pan ahead. I like to make these in the evening so that they are ready to eat the next day!

Here’s what you’ll need for these no-bakepeanutbutter oatmeal bars

1-Cup Peanut butter (I use natural)

3/4- Cup Honey

3-Cups Old Fashioned Oatmeal

1-tsp Vanilla extract

1/2-tsp Salt

Here’s how to make these No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Grease or line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.

Now in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat combine peanut butter, honey, vanilla and salt. Heat until thoroughly blended.

Remove the peanut butter mixture from the heat and add your oats. Stir until the oats are evenly coated. Now pour the oat mixture into the pan and press it down with a rubber spatula.

Cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and let set 8 hours or overnight.

I like to cut them into squares but if you want a bigger snack you can cut them into bars.

You can wrap them up individually for a quick grab and go snack , store them in an airtight container or keep them in the pan, covered for storage.