Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal Recipe

These peanut butter bars are a delicious little snack any time of the day. Packed with wholesome ingredients and lots of goodness in every bite.

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Recipe updated: April 16th, 2024

It only takes three simple ingredients to make these peanut butter bars with oatmeal recipe. Most peanut butter lovers have peanut butter in their kitchen at all times, so all you need to buy is the honey and rolled oats to make this recipe.

This peanut butter dessert is also a no bake recipe, just like our nut free granola bars, creamy peanut butter fudge, orange balls, and chocolate covered graham crackers.

Peanut butter oat bars can be a great snack in the middle of the day when you need some extra get up and go. And don’t forget that the kids will love them as an after-school snack. It’s good to know that you are giving them something to snack on with wholesome ingredients in every bar.

Peanut butter bars with oatmeal on a plate.

These no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars can be made with or without a chocolate topping. Just melt some chocolate chips in the microwave and spread it on one side of the bars as we did for a little extra treat, explained in step 7 below. After all, who doesn’t love chocolate! One of my granddaughters prefers these with chocolate, while the other one prefers them without. You know, it’s always good to have a choice.

🥜 Key Ingredients

3 cups of old-fashioned oats – also known as rolled oats
1 cup of creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup of honey
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips for the topping – optional

Ingredients for peanut butter bars with oatmeal.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal

These step-by-step instructions are accompanied by detailed photos for enhanced clarity and guidance.

Step 1. Add Peanut Butter and Honey to a Saucepan

Add 1 cup of creamy peanut butter together with 1/2 cup of honey in a medium saucepan.

Step 2. Melt the Peanut Butter and Honey

Turn the burner on medium heat. Melt the peanut butter and honey until it is smooth and well blended. This will take a few minutes depending on how hot your burner gets. Keep stirring the mixture as it melts using a heat-resistant spatula so the peanut butter and honey won’t stick to the bottom of the saucepan.

Melted peanut butter and honey in a saucepan. — Melt the peanut butter and honey together on medium heat.

Step 3. Thoroughly Mix Peanut Butter and Honey

Continue to stir the peanut butter and honey mixture until thoroughly mixed. Then, turn the burner off. Keep the pot on the burner, as it will still keep the peanut butter mixture warm and smooth, making it easier to add the rolled oats in the next step.

Keep stirring until the peanut butter blends in with the honey, then turn the burner off.

Step 4. Add Half of the Oats

Gradually add half of the 3 cups of old-fashioned oats to the honey and peanut butter mixture. It is easier to stir the mixture when the oats are added a little at a time. Keep stirring the peanut butter oat mixture so it won’t stick to the bottom of the pot.

Add half of the rolled oaks to the saucepan. Mix thoroughly. — Add half of the rolled oats to the peanut butter and honey. Mix thoroughly.

Step 5. Add the other Half of the Oats

Add the remaining rolled oats to the peanut butter and honey. Continue to stir until thoroughly blended.

Add the rest of the rolled oats to the peanut butter and honey. Mix thoroughly.

Step 6. Line a Pan with Aluminum Foil

Overlap a piece of aluminum foil in an 8×8 inch square pan or baking dish, that way the peanut butter bars can be easily removed from the pan. Then, spray the aluminum foil lightly with cooking spray, so the bars won’t stick to the aluminum foil. After that, use your hands to press the peanut butter mixture in an even layer into the pan.

Tip: You can also use a piece of parchment paper instead of aluminum foil.

Line a pan with aluminum foil, then spray with cooking spray, and add the peanut butter mixture.

Step 7. Make a Chocolate Topping for the Peanut Butter Bars (Optional)

This part is optional, but highly recommended! To make chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars, all it takes is to make a chocolate drizzle using melted chocolate chips. Start by putting 1/2 cup of chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe bowl.

One half cup of chocolate chips in a microwaveable bowl.

Step 8. Melt the Chocolate Chips

Put the bowl of chocolate chips in the microwave for one minute at power level 6, then stir. Then another minute at power level 6 and stir. If the chocolate chips are not melted enough, do it again for 30 seconds at power level 6. After that, take the chocolate chips out of the microwave and stir them again.

Step 9. Spread the Melted Chocolate on Half of the Peanut Butter Bars

Spread the melted chocolate chips on top of one side of the bars. After that, it is best to put the peanut butter bars in the refrigerator before cutting them into squares so they can become firm and the chocolate topping can set.

Note: If you want a thick layer of chocolate on top of the bars, or want the melted chocolate chips on both sides, double the amount of chocolate chips in step 7.

The melted chocolate chips are spread on half of the peanut butter bars. — The melted chocolate chips are spread on half of the bars.

Step 10. Cut the Peanut Butter Bars into Squares

After chilling the peanut butter bars for about 20 minutes in the refrigerator, cut them into 16 squares. You can cut smaller squares if you prefer, since the peanut butter bars are quite filling to the tummy. After cutting the squares, they are best stored in the refrigerator so they won’t become too soft.

🌟 Recipe Variations

If you prefer, you can use quick oats or instant oats instead of the rolled oaks.
If you do the melted chocolate chips in step 7, sprinkle a little bit of sea salt on the melted chocolate before it hardens.

☝️ FAQs

How do I Store Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal?

You can leave the peanut butter bars with oatmeal on the countertop in the pan you made them in, but it is best to chill them in the refrigerator. Cover the pan with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Can I Freeze Peanut Butter Bars with Oatmeal?

Yes, you can freeze these delicious peanut butter oatmeal bars. Make sure to put them in an airtight container or freezer bags. They can be kept in the freezer for about three or four months. The next time you feel like a peanut butter bar, take a couple out of the freezer and let them thaw on the countertop at room temperature for a few minutes.

💭 Final Thoughts

These chewy peanut butter oatmeal bars are packed with peanut butter flavor and take little time to make. As a matter of fact, the older kids can help you make these no bake snacks when they get home from school. It’s a fun and easy recipe to get them involved in the kitchen. But the best part is it’s also a delicious treat they will enjoy.

These chewy bars are the perfect dessert to take along on picnics, hikes, or to a potluck lunch or dinner. They also make a great breakfast bar or snack after lunch. My daughter makes these peanut butter bars for her daughters all the time, as they make a great snack to keep her daughters satisfied through multiple basketball practices until dinner time later that evening.

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