No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
These No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are an easy, no-oven treat made with simple pantry ingredients and big, satisfying flavor. Perfect for snacking, dessert, or meal prep, they’re quick to make and endlessly customizable.
If you’re craving something sweet and satisfying but also healthy and incredibly easy to make, No-bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are about to become your new favorite treat. These bars come together with simple pantry staples—creamy peanut butter, hearty oats, and just the right touch of sweetness—no oven required. They’re perfect for warm days when you don’t want to turn on the stove, or anytime you need a quick dessert or snack that feels indulgent but still wholesome.
What makes these no-bake bars truly special is their versatility and convenience. They’re great for meal prep, lunchbox treats, or an after school snack, and they can be customized with chocolate chips, nuts, or a drizzle of melted chocolate on top. My kids are always excited when these are on the table when they walk through the door after school!
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No-bake - these peanut butter oatmeal bars require no oven and are quick to prepare
- Healthy - they are made with wholesome simple ingredients like peanut butter, hemp hearts, flaxseed, and rolled oats.
- Simple - Easy no-bake dessert or snack recipe for busy days
- Perfect for Snacking - these bars are perfect for meal prep, lunchboxes, and grab-and-go snacks
- Easily Customizable - there are endless add-in options!
Ingredients
Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter provides rich flavor and acts as the main binding ingredient that holds the bars together. You can use natural peanut butter or just regular peanut butter, and creamy or crunchy peanut butter.
Honey: Honey adds natural sweetness while helping the bars set and maintain their chewy texture.
Butter: Butter adds richness and helps create a smooth, cohesive mixture.
Rolled Oats: Rolled oats give the bars structure and a hearty, chewy bite. I also love rolled oats in my Applesauce Oatmeal Bars and Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats.
Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips add bursts of sweetness and a classic chocolate-peanut butter flavor.
Ground Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed adds fiber and helps bind the ingredients together.
Hemp Hearts: Hemp hearts provide a subtle nutty flavor and a boost of protein and healthy fats.
Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract enhances and balances the overall flavor of the bars.
Salt: A small amount of salt sharpens the sweetness and brings all the flavors together.
Please refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients.
Variations
Different Nut Butter: Swap the peanut butter for cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, almond butter, or soy nut butter.
Vegan: Use maple syrup as the sweetener instead of honey, dairy-free butter or coconut oil, and vegan chocolate chips.
Extra Crunch: Add chopped peanuts, almonds, or pecans for added texture.
Other Add-Ins: Mix in ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut or ½ cup of dried cranberries or cherries.
High-Protein: Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of protein powder or add extra hemp hearts.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. I like to microwave the peanut butter and honey for 20-30 seconds to make it easier to mix.
Photo 2. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flaxseed, and hemp hearts.
Photo 3. Add the peanut butter mixture to the dry ingredients and fold together with a spatula until well combined.
Photo 4. Press the oat mixture into a parchment lined and greased 9x13" baking dish.
Photo 5. In a separate bowl, add the chocolate chips and butter, and microwave for 45 seconds, and then 15 seconds increments until melted and smooth.
Photo 6. Spread over the bars and then sprinkle with sea salt. Let set. I like to pop them in the fridge for 30 minutes for the chocolate to set up. Slice into bars. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Use room-temperature peanut butter for easier mixing and a smoother texture, and microwave for about 30 seconds to get it warmed up.
Stir thoroughly so all the oats are evenly coated and the bars hold together well.
Press the mixture firmly into the pan using a spatula or the bottom of a measuring cup to prevent crumbly bars.
Chill completely before slicing to ensure clean cuts and fully set bars.
Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and mess-free slicing.
Storage - store these bars in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature for up to 7 days.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use quick oats, but the texture will be softer and less chewy. Rolled oats give the bars more structure and a heartier bite.
They set best in the refrigerator and should be stored there to keep them firm. Once chilled, they can be kept in an airtight container for up to one week.
Absolutely. Wrap the bars tightly and freeze for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
Use dairy-free chocolate chips and replace the butter with coconut oil. Swap the honey for maple syrup to make them fully vegan.
Looking for ingredient substitution or have a question that wasn't answered?
Ask AI to answer based on this specific recipe.
Other Healthy Bars to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 3 cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup ground flaxseed
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoon butter
- sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Grease a a 9x13" baking pan with cooking spray and then line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, add the peanut butter and honey. Microwave for ~30 seconds to get them warmed a little bit to make them easier to mix.
- Add the vanilla and then whisk well together, stirring until smooth.
- In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, ground flaxseed, hemp hearts, and salt.
- Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly.
- In a small bowl, add the chocolate chips and butter.
- Microwave for 45 seconds and then intervals of 15 seconds, stirring between each interval, until the chocolate is smooth.
- Spread over the bars and then sprinkle with sea salt.
- Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, until the chocolate is set.
- Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, slice into squares, and serve.
