These healthy no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars only require a few ingredients and are super easy to make. Loaded with peanut butter, oats, honey, and Cacao Nibs; these bars are the perfect make-ahead on-the-go breakfast or snack.
We love to enjoy these no-bake bars on hiking trips and backpacking or refueling after a long workout. Our kiddos love them packed in their lunch boxes, as after-school snacks, or as a quick and filling breakfast. This healthy recipe filled with whole food ingredients is one the whole family can enjoy and feel good about.
If you love these peanut butter oatmeal bars you should try this chocolate chip oatmeal banana bread recipe!
Recipe Details
Who doesn’t love a throw it all in a bowl and mix it up with a big ol’ spoon kinda recipe? Minimal effort + minimal clean-up + healthy delicious yumminess is a win in my kitchen!
No-Bake Bar Ingredients
Crunchy Peanut Butter (or any other nut or seed butter)
Gluten-Free Old Fashioned Oatmeal
Honey
Cacao Nibs
Cinnamon
How To Make No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Measure peanut butter and honey and place them in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl. Warm them up in the microwave for 1 minute or until smooth and thin.
Measure cinnamon, oatmeal, and cacao nibs then fold into the melted peanut butter and honey mixture.
Place a piece of parchment paper in an 8x8 baking dish. Pour oatmeal bar mixture into the dish and press down firmly and evenly. Helpful hint: To prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands, wet hands with water and press batter down with damp hands.
Chill for at least one hour before cutting into bars.
Yields 12 no-bake bars.
Storage/Freezer Instructions
- To Store: Store the bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- To Freeze: Individually wrap chilled bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place them in the freezer. To thaw, place a bar in the refrigerator overnight or simply toss it in your backpack for a hiking snack or school snack. These bars thaw in about an hour but may thaw more quickly depending on the temperature.
Cacao Nibs
If you’ve ever wondered how to eat cacao nibs, this recipe is a great place to start. Traditionally, Powerballs and Energy Bar recipes call for chocolate chips, while this updated version uses cacao nibs as a substitute.
Cacao nibs will still give you the rich chocolaty flavor you love plus a delightful crunch to the oat bars. Not only are cacao nibs delicious, but are also an awesome plant-based source of iron - making them a wonderful option for the vegan diet. If you’re interested in reading more about the health benefits of cacao nibs, check out this article.
Egg Free/ Dairy Free
In addition to being naturally vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free, any type of nut or seed butter can be used in place of peanut butter.
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OTHER NO-BAKE RECIPES TO TRY
Dark Chocolate Bark with Toasted Oats and Seeds
📖 Recipe
Healthy No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Cacao Nibs
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats gluten-free
- 1 ½ cups peanut butter crunchy
- ½ cup honey
- 1 cup cacao nibs
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Place a piece of parchment paper in an 8×8 baking dish.
- Measure peanut butter and honey and place them in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl. Warm them up in the microwave for 1 minute or until smooth and thin.
- Measure cinnamon, oatmeal, and cacao nibs then fold into the melted peanut butter and honey mixture.
- Pour oatmeal bar mixture into the dish and press down firmly and evenly.
- Chill for at least one hour before cutting into 12 bars.
Notes
Helpful Tip:
To prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands, wet hands with water and press batter down with damp hands.STORAGE/FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS
- To Store: Store the bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- To Freeze: Individually wrap chilled bars in plastic wrap or parchment paper and place them in the freezer. To thaw, place a bar in the refrigerator overnight or simply toss it in your backpack for a hiking snack or school snack. These bars thaw in about an hour but may thaw more quickly depending on the temperature.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
The nutritional information provided here is approximate and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. We strive to give you accurate information, but many factors can cause this data to vary widely. For more information, please read our full Nutritional Disclaimer.
Julia says
I'm with you , anything that just requires a spoon and a bowl creating the minimum of clearing up is my kind of recipe. I made these bars for our latest bike outing and they really welcome. They make a great refuelling option and taste amazing too.
Jessica says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Anaiah says
I loved these no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars. They're the perfect snack to take on my morning runs!
Jessica says
Thank you!
Addie says
Such a great no bake dessert! I love the peanut butter!
Jessica says
Thanks, Addie!
Gabriela Herrera says
I am here for this snack. I have recently been watching my weight and this is just the perfect palette cleanser after a meal.
Jessica says
Thanks so much!
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
These PB bars look perfect for the lunchbox. Maybe switch to nut free butter but I'm loving the addition of cacao nibs.
Jessica says
Thanks, Cindy! So many delicious nut-free butters to choose from now.
Kayla DiMaggio says
Yum! these peanut butter oatmeal bars were so delicious! They were the perfect mid afternoon snack!
Jessica says
Thanks, Kayla
Luca - Ruoka on valmis says
Healthy and yummy is the best combination you can have. I will have to try these asap!
Jessica says
Yay! I hope you love them as much as we do.