Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars {Healthy Recipe}
This peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe is super easy to make and made with only simple ingredients – no refined sugar or gluten! You will love the flavor that the peanut butter, oats, banana, and chocolate chips add to this healthy breakfast treat.
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If you are a peanut butter lover like me – then you will love these healthy peanut butter chocolate chip breakfast bars. Peanut butter and chocolate chips for breakfast? Sign me up!
Say good-bye to store-bought granola bars….these healthy oatmeal bars are refined sugar free, flourless, and contain no gluten. They are naturally sweetened with banana and also maple syrup. Rolled oats and coconut oil add to the healthy food ingredient list in these bars.
Love baked oats? Try these Lotus Baked Oats or Berry Baked Oatmeal next.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these Oatmeal Breakfast Bars:
Ingredient Notes
Rolled oats: For best results, opt for old-fashioned rolled oats. Avoid using instant oats, as they may result in a mushier consistency.
Mashed banana: Make sure to use a ripe banana for maximum sweetness and flavor.
How to make Oatmeal Bars: Step by Step
Step 1: Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Step 2: Add the mixture to a baking pan lined with parchment paper.
Step 3: Bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
Step 4: Serve with the optional peanut butter/honey drizzle!.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Adjust the sweetness: If you prefer sweeter bars, you can increase the amount of maple syrup or add a touch of brown sugar to the recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer them less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sweetener used.
- Press the mixture firmly: When spreading the mixture into the baking dish, make sure to press it firmly and evenly. This will help the bars hold their shape and prevent them from crumbling
- Use a large piece of parchment paper (when lining baking dish): This will simplify the process of lifting the bars out of the pan and make clean-up easier.
- Double the batch: If you want to make a larger quantity of bars, simply double the recipe and use 2 baking dishes. This recipe is perfect for making a large batch and freezing.
Storage
- Storage: Store these oatmeal bars in the fridge in an airtight container for 4-5 days.
- Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully for up to three months. I recommend cutting them into bars, wrapping them individually in plastic wrap, and then freezing half and storing half in the fridge.
Additions and Substitutions
SUBSTITUTIONS
Mashed banana: If you prefer to omit the banana or don’t have one available, you can replace it with 2.5 cups of unsweetened applesauce. This will still provide moisture and natural sweetness to the bars.
Unsweetened almond milk: Any other milk such as soy milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or cows milk can be used as a substitute for unsweetened almond milk. Use the same amount as specified in the recipe..
Chocolate chips: If you’re not a fan of chocolate or want to try a different flavor, you can substitute the chocolate chips with dried fruit like raisins or cranberries or even some white chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
Creamy Peanut butter: You can use other nut or seed butters as a substitute for peanut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter are great alternatives.
Maple syrup: Honey or agave can be used as a substitute for maple syrup. For a sugar free option you can use Swerve or Monkfruit.
Almond extract: If you don’t have almond extract, you can use vanilla extract instead.
ADDITIONS
Protein powder: Boost the protein content by adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder to the oat mixture.
Chopped nuts: Add a crunchy element by incorporating chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, or cashews into the oat mixture.
Seeds: Incorporate a nutritional punch by adding seeds like chia seeds or flaxseeds. These will provide a boost of healthy fats and fiber.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this oatmeal bars recipe is a healthy option. It contains rolled oats, which is a good source of fiber and provides sustained energy. The mashed banana and maple syrup provide natural sweetness, while the peanut butter and coconut oil contribute healthy fats.
If you wanted to make these bars more macro balanced you could in one scoop of protein powder or you could even serve them with a protein shake for a perfect macro-balanced breakfast.
No, rolled oats require a longer cooking time, while quick oats are more finely processed and cook faster.
You can use quick oats as a substitute for rolled oats in this recipe. However, keep in mind that the bars may be slightly softer compared to using rolled oats.
The recipe can be made gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats.
Yes! If you don’t have a banana or prefer not to use one, you can substitute it with an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce. This will provide moisture and natural sweetness to the bars.
Other Healthy Breakfast Recipes You Will Love
Overnight Biscoff Oats
Weight Watchers Banana Pancakes
Bacon Egg and Cheese Biscuit
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 mashed banana
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp pure almond extract
Optional Peanut Butter Drizzle
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F.
- Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Be patient with the mixing, it takes a bit.
- Add the mixture to your lined baking pan. Push down the mixture until it’s smooth.
- Bake for 25 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, TURN OFF the oven and let the breakfast bars continue sitting in the oven for an additional 15 minutes.
- Cut into bars and serve.
- Serve with a drizzle of peanut butter honey drizzle (optional)
Optional Peanut Butter Honey Drizzle
- Mix the 2 ingredients in a small bowl. Microwave uncovered for 45-60 seconds. Drizzle over bars once they are finished baking.
Notes
- These bars can be enjoyed cold, at room temperature or warmed.
- If you prefer sweeter bars, you can increase the amount of maple syrup or add a touch of brown sugar to the recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer them less sweet, you can reduce the amount of sweetener used.
- When spreading the mixture into the baking dish, make sure to press it firmly and evenly. This will help the bars hold their shape and prevent them from crumbling.
- Nutrition info does not include the optional peanut butter drizzle.
Nutrition
Please note that the nutritional information provided for each recipe is an estimate sourced from the My Fitness Pal database. It’s important to be aware that the nutritional content may vary depending on the specific products used, the accuracy of measurements, and the reliability of the nutrition data source. While we strive to provide accurate information, we cannot guarantee the exact accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
