These peanut butter oatmeal bars are super quick, easy, no-bake and naturally gluten-free and 100% whole grain. With a vegan option.
So it’s been three weeks since I last posted and that was a re-post of an old recipe. And here’s another – with new pictures and a video. Sorry to my long-time readers!
Our little guy is 5 months old and I get a few minutes at a time, maybe 30 all together throughout the day, in the kitchen. That’s been making recipe testing nearly impossible.
I like to use those few minutes to actually eat. But luckily I do have some new recipes on the way!
These peanut butter oatmeal bars are basically candy bars using healthier ingredients. And it couldn’t be any easier!
You just melt a bunch of stuff together, put it in a pan, chill and cut into bars.
I love honey and peanut butter together so that’s what I used but I’ve also tried these with brown rice syrup and it works just as well for a vegan version!
I haven’t tried these with maple syrup. It’s a whole lot less thick and sticky than honey and brown rice syrup so I can’t say for sure that it’d work.
You can use more or less oats or coconut depending on what you want. You could also add in other healthy stuff like nuts or dried berries.
Just don’t go so crazy with the add-ins that the mixture no longer holds together easily.
Want a less sweet version? Use dark chocolate. Want a slightly naughtier version? Add in some peanut butter chips (which aren’t vegan / dairy-free)!
Don’t want to use peanut butter? Almond butter and chopped almonds are a delicious alternative! I also like to add a little almond extract to that version.
Hope you’ll enjoy them! Try these Homemade KIND Bars for something a little healthier if these are too much on the unhealthy side for you. These Gluten-Free Vegan Nanaimo Bars are also another healthier coconut treat.
Questions about these peanut butter oatmeal bars?
- Can I use something else in place of the coconut oil? Butter should work fine! Not olive oil or any liquid oil.
- Can I use something other than peanut butter? Almond butter works great! I’m assuming other types of natural nut butter, without any added fat or sugar, would work fine.
Nut butters aren’t always exchangeable but since this a simple no-bake recipe where you just mix everything together, I think it’d be fine. - Can I use something else other than honey or brown rice syrup? Granulated sugars wouldn’t work. Maple syrup might work but it’s less thick and sticky than honey and brown rice syrup so I’m not 100% sure.
- Can I use white chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate? I haven’t tried it but I’m thinking it’d be a little too sweet.
- Can I reduce the sweetener or amount of chocolate? You can definitely play around with this recipe. I tried it out a bunch of times and thought it was best as written below.
I’m guessing omitting the 3 tablespoons of honey would be ok for a less sweet version. I think it’d still hold together fine. - Can I omit / use something instead of coconut? Together with the oats, the coconut forms the bulk of the recipe. So I wouldn’t just omit it, but I can’t think of a good sub. Maybe more oats?
- Can I use something else in place of oats? Maybe quinoa flakes? I personally don’t like them but they should work. If you can have gluten, spelt flakes, emmer flakes, or whatever-flakes should work! I haven’t tried any grain-free alternative.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (gluten-free, vegan option, whole grain, dairy-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 24 bars
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup (56 grams) coconut oil
- 3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons (234 grams) natural peanut butter (just peanuts + salt, no added fat or sugar)
- 3 tablespoons (60 grams) honey or brown rice syrup for a vegan version
- 1 cup (180 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips (make sure to use vegan / dairy-free chocolate chips, if needed)
- 1 cup (85 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 3/4 cups (164 grams) rolled oats (gluten-free oats for gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) roasted peanuts
- 3 tablespoons chopped peanuts
- 2+ tablespoons shredded unsweetened coconut
To sprinkle over the top:
Directions
- Melt the coconut oil in a medium pan or pot over medium-low heat. Add in the peanut butter and honey and when thoroughly combined, add in the chocolate chips.
- When melted, add in the coconut and oats. Let cool for 5 minutes and then stir in the peanut butter chips or peanuts.
- Line an 8" x 8" pan with a piece of parchment paper or wax paper. Press the candy into the pan and top with the extra peanuts and coconut, if desired.
- Let chill for about 2 hours or until firm and then cut into bars.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The bars will stay good for several weeks.
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62 comments on “Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars” — Add one!
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Dude, these bars look like they're too dangerous to have around the house!
It's time for me to finally get on the coconut oil bandwagon, these bars look ah-mazing!!
These bars look perfect for a picnic or hike, they sound not only delicious but so healthy too, YUM!
Erin, these bars look amazing. I just discovered coconut oil, too. I love the stuff!
I love these. They look like something I made not long ago minus the peanut butter. I bet you these are also super good. I love anything no bake :-)
I love this bars, they just look like something I did not long ago minus the peanut butter. They were superb and I am sure these were too. I love anything no bake!!
Thank u so much Erin for the giveaway,those coconut peanut Butter choco bars look so delish,and so ez to prep,my fam will loooove them! :D Wow,i can't wait to try this and all ur recipes,thank u for sharing!!! :) Blessings to u n urs :)
i haven't used coconut oil other than in granola but i want to experiment with it more.
fruitcrmble AT comcast DOT net
I've only ever bought coconut oil in Asia so its great to get to know a source in North America. And I absolutely love these bars, especially since they are no-bake and all ;)
Yum these bars look really good, I love all the ingredients here. I think I could eat the whole pan.
These look great, Erin! Yummm :)
Coconut oil is pretty much my BFF. Love these bars, Erin!
What a great recipe! Printing it and saving it for the weekend, when we'll have company over.
The pictures got me dreaming of these delicious-looking bars and a cup of coffee!
I just baked with coconut oil for the first time this past weekend, and I was so in love with the result! I can't wait to try other recipes :) These bars look absolutely amazing, love the combo of ingredients going on!
Those bars look seriously amazing! I have been wanting to try coconut oil for a while now! So awesome, and I will definitely be trying these bars. I love the peanut butter chips in there :)
These look amazing! You had me at no bake! I am a fan of all things no bake. I am going to try this soon. Thanks!
Ohhh. These looks tasty :)
These look amazing Erin!!
You had me at "healthier candy bars"! Love these, Erin!