With just 5 ingredients and a texture and flavor that’s similar to a soft peanut butter cookie, these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a nutritious (and yummy!) make-ahead breakfast or snack.
I love making a homemade toddler snack option each week to keep my grocery budget in check and to use up pantry staples I usually have, and these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are such a great option. They’re like a cross between a peanut butter cup and a soft Banana Oatmeal Cookie!
Quick Look: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Serving: 12-16
- Flavor Profile: Naturally sweet peanut butter flavor, soft oatmeal cookie texture
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for everyday breakfasts and snacks
- Why to Make: It’s a quick, nutritious way to make a snack bar at home
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Table of Contents
We love these with a side of fruit or sausage for breakfast and either on their own or paired with a toddler smoothie or flavored milk (like Blueberry Milk or Strawberry Milk).
Why This Recipe Works
With just 5 simple, yet nutritious ingredients, you can stir together a simple batter that makes the yummiest snack bars. They have fiber, protein, beneficial fats, and a naturally sweet flavor kids and parents will enjoy.
(You may also like my Oatmeal Cups and No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies.)
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars so you know what to pick up from the store or have ready.
- Bananas: Very ripe bananas are key to the sweetness and flavor in this snack bar recipe. They should have lots of brown spots so you get the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Rolled oats: Using classic oatmeal in this recipe gives the bars a nice texture, in addition to the fiber. (For a smoother consistency in the baked bar, you can use instant oats or oat flour.)
- Peanut butter: Peanut butter adds protein and beneficial fats to help keep us satisfied—and in this recipe, it helps the bars hold together easily. I use natural-style unsweetened peanut butter. To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter. (You can also use almond butter, if you prefer.)
- Milk: I usually use whole milk in my baking, but any kind of plain unsweetened milk will work here, including a nondairy option.
- Chocolate chips (or dried fruit): We love these topped with chocolate chips or a melted chocolate chip drizzle. You can also add dried fruit or fresh or frozen blueberries if you prefer.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Here’s a preview of how to make these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars so you know what to expect from the process. Scroll down to the end of this post for the full information, including the amounts and the timing.
Step 1. Mash the banana.
Step 2. Add the remaining ingredients to the mashed banana.
Step 3. Mix until combined. Press into prepared pan.
Step 4. Bake until lightly golden brown around the edges and just set.
TIP: Let cool before slicing and use a serrated knife for best results.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars FAQs
Sure, you can serve them for any meal or snack of the day either chilled or at room temperature. You can increase the sweetness if you want with chocolate chips, a chocolate drizzle, or a little extra maple syrup or brown sugar in the batter.
You can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or longer in the freezer. Let thaw at room temperature and serve.
Sure, you can use cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter.
Best Tips for Success
- Use old-fashioned oats for a soft-baked oatmeal cookie texture.
- Swap in instant oats or oat flour for a smoother consistency in the final bar.
- Top a bar with a dollop of Blueberry Chia Seed Jam for a PB&J flavor.
More Easy Snack Bars
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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1½ cups mashed very ripe bananas (from about 3 medium bananas)
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (or blueberries or dried fruit, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degree F and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. (I allow 2 inches to hang over the edges on either side so the bars are easy to lift out and slice.)
- Add the ingredients to a medium bowl. Stir well to combine thoroughly.
- Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing evenly.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until firm to the touch and lightly golden around the edges. Let cool fully in the pan, then lift out onto a cutting board and slice with a serrated knife. (You can stir the chocolate chips into the batter, sprinkle on top, or melt after baking the bars and drizzle the chocolate on top.)
Equipment
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Enjoy cold or warmed slightly.
- Leave out the chocolate chips and add dried fruit instead if you prefer.
- Use certified gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Use sunflower seed butter to make this recipe nut-free.
- Add ¼ cup honey or maple syrup to make this sweeter if your family prefers.
- Use roasted sweet potato or thick applesauce to make this recipe without banana.
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