Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (3 Ingredients)

These peanut butter oatmeal bars are made with just 3 ingredients, no bake, high in protein, and totally delicious for the peanut butter lovers out there. They’re the perfect healthy snack or breakfast bar that can be whipped up fast and enjoyed at any time of the day.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars

Easy healthy recipes like this one are my absolute favorite. I consider myself more of a lazy cook, which is funny coming from a food blogger.

But honestly, I prefer an easy simple recipe that can be created in 10 minutes. And if it only requires 3 ingredients – well that’s just icing on the cake!

These peanut butter oat bars are soft and a little bit chewy. The natural peanut butter also creates the perfect sticky texture that holds everything together.

This recipe is very similar to my peanut butter oat balls with chocolate chips. Both are THE PERFECT recipe to make with little kids.

Or to make yourself when you don’t want much effort. The result is a sweet-tasting peanut butter treat that requires no baking. Just mix, dump, chill and slice. That’s it!

For more granola inspiration try my 10 no-bake granola bars, pumpkin oat energy balls, carrot cake energy balls, cookie dough energy bites, chocolate quinoa bliss balls, or my very popular 6 no-bake energy ball recipes.

Recipe Ingredients

Similar to my no-bake cereal bars, you only need 3 ingredients to whip up this easy treat! Here’s what you’ll need with full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom.

• OATS – Old-fashioned rolled oats (these are the large flake oats) or quick oats (instant oats) will work. Personally, I like to use these sprouted rolled oats in all my baking and breakfast recipes.
• PEANUT BUTTER – Choose a creamy peanut butter. This will help the bars stick together perfectly. Any nut butter including almond butter or cashew butter, or seed butter should also work.
• MAPLE SYRUP – Pure maple syrup will sweeten the recipe. Honey, brown sugar or molasses can also work.

Variations / Additions

These bars are the perfect base for delicious ingredients. Feel free to add a few of these ideas:

• NUTS – Chopped nuts add the best crunch!
• SEEDS – For a boost of fiber and protein, try adding chia seeds, hemp seeds, and ground flaxseed. Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds are also great additions.
• CHOCOLATE CHIPS – Add some milk chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or sugar-free chocolate chips.
• VANILLA EXTRACT - Can add a warm sweetness. Would compliment the peanut butter nicely.
• DRIED FRUIT – Raisins, dried cranberries, or chop up some dried mango or dried pineapple.
• COCONUT – Shredded coconut would work perfectly, like our bird’s nest cookies.
• M&Ms – Mini M&Ms could be used instead of mini chocolate chips! How yummy would that be!

How To Make Peanut Butter Oat Bars

No-bake peanut butter bars require minimal preparation. Here’s how to make them. More details can be found in the recipe card at the bottom.

1. MIX INGREDIENTS – Add the old-fashioned oats, peanut butter maple syrup to a large bowl. Mix together with a spatula or wooden spoon until all the oats are evenly coated with the mixture for the best peanut butter flavor.
2. PRESS – Add parchment paper to an 8×8 baking dish. I spray a little cooking spray in the dish first to help the parchment stick. Next, dump in the oat mixture and smooth it out evenly using a spatula.
3. Freeze – Let this freeze for 1 hour. Next, remove the bars by pulling out the parchment paper. Place it on a cutting board and slice the bars into squares with a knife. Serve and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are The Bars Supposed To Be Soft?

Yes! This is the texture that these bars are supposed to be. Because they only use 3 ingredients, the peanut butter and maple syrup can get runnier as they are warmed up. I personally prefer to store them in the freezer as they will harden. I just eat them straight from frozen. They thaw enough to eat them in no time.

Can You Use Instant Pack Oats?

Yes, you can make quick cooking oats, but I prefer to use rolled oats. Here’s why… instant pack oats are quite different from the whole grain rolled oat version and will provide a different “mushier” consistency. They’re usually not the only thing included in the pack either – many have added salt, sugar, and preservatives. For more energy, whole-rolled oats are a better option.

Can You Eat Raw Oats In Energy Bars?

Yes, oats can be eaten raw, but it’s recommended that they’re soaked beforehand. Adding them to the other energy bar ingredients does just that. You can also eat raw oats (that are soaked) in my six overnight oats recipes.

How To Store Bars

I recommend storing these either in the fridge or freezer. Personally, I like to store them in the freezer. I just like the texture of the frozen bars better. They soften enough to eat after 1-2 minutes.

To Freeze: First, place the bars individually on a baking sheet with parchment. Freeze them like this for 2-3 hours. Once frozen, place them all in a large freezer bag and add it to the freezer.

Store In Fridge: Bars can also be kept in the fridge for up to 4-5 days and sealed in an airtight container. These will stick together if placed in an even layer on top of each other. You can add a piece of parchment in between each layer if preferred.

Peanut butter oatmeal bars are one of the easiest peanut butter dessert recipes you'll ever make. Using just 3 ingredients, rolled oats, peanut butter and maple syrup. These are mixed, poured into a baking dish and chilled, no baking is required. Once they're cold you can slice them into delicious healthy breakfast bars. I prefer to store mine in the freezer.

We love using rolled oats! They’re inexpensive and whole grain, making them healthier than using refined flour. Try our 6 easy overnight oat flavors, 6 no-bake energy ball recipes, and our baked oatmeal breakfast cups for more oat recipes.