These healthy peanut butter oatmeal bars are honey-sweetened and filled with crunchy, salty pretzel bits. They’re SO easy to make and perfect for kids and adults alike!
Looking for the best no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe? I can help! Read on for tips to making this easy, healthy snack.
These no-bake peanut butter oatmeal bars are the perfect snack to have around for the warmer months ahead. This is one of my family’s very favorite no bake recipes!
This is a great option for when my kids and I want an afternoon snack.
I feel good about feeding them to my family because I know exactly what is in them: wholesome, simple ingredients like pretzels, oats, almonds, peanut butter, and honey.
You can’t beat the chewy texture and health benefits, all wrapped up in one perfect snack that doubles as a healthy dessert!
I use gluten-free pretzels and gluten-free quick oats to keep these bars gluten-free.
The little bites of salty pretzels really make the bars. And peanut butter/chocolate is always a winning combination!
These bars also freeze great, so you can keep a stash in your freezer for times when you need a little sweetness.
If you like these no bake peanut butter bars, consider trying my peanut butter bars, scotcheroos and peanut butter balls.
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Easy to make
- Quick and healthy treat
- Portable and freeze well
- Made from wholesome ingredients
- Kids love them!
For more peanut butter recipes, try these gluten-free peanut butter blossoms, gluten-free peanut butter pie, gluten-free peanut butter cookies, flourless peanut butter cookies and peanut butter popcorn.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what you’ll need to make these no bake oatmeal bars:
- Honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness to these no bake bars, and also helps hold the ingredients together. You can also use agave syrup or maple syrup, if you prefer.
- Peanut butter: I love using creamy peanut butter or natural peanut butter for these no bake granola bars. But if you’re not peanut butter lovers, you could also use sunflower seed butter or almond butter. You might like this article on is peanut butter gluten-free.
- Almonds: I like adding roasted almonds for a salty crunch and a bit of protein. You can also add cashews or another type of nut, if you prefer.
- Vanilla: Vanilla adds depth of flavor to these no bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars. Real vanilla extract is best!
- Pretzels: I use gluten-free pretzels to keep these bars gluten-free. I love the salty crunch these pretzels add.
- Chocolate chips: A bit of chocolate makes these such a satisfying sweet treat. I recommend using mini chocolate chips!
- Oats: I like using gluten-free quick oats for this recipe. If you don’t have quick oats, try pulsing gluten-free rolled oats in the blender or food processor before combining with the peanut butter mixture.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances out the sweetness of these bars and enhances all of the delicious flavors.
For more no-bake recipes, try these gluten-free no-bake cookies, gluten-free no-bake cheesecake and gluten-free ice cream cake.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
- Line an 8×8 or a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
- Place the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine, including crushed pretzels, oats, almonds, chocolate chips, sea salt, and vanilla.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the peanut butter and honey. You may need to heat the mixture in the microwave or in a medium saucepan on the stovetop to get it smooth and combined.
- Add the peanut butter mixture to the oat mixture and stir to thoroughly combine.
- Press the no bake peanut butter oat bars mixture into the prepared pan and top with more crushed pretzels or chocolate topping, if you like. Chill for 1 hour before slicing.
- Cut the no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars into slices. Enjoy these chewy oatmeal bars!
Storage Instructions
Store no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container or cover in plastic wrap. You can keep them at room temperature, or in the fridge for longer storage.
FAQs
Yes, peanut butter is a great source of healthy fats and protein and tastes great when paired with warm and creamy oatmeal. Just keep in mind, peanut butter is high in calories, so it’s best to consume it in moderation. A drizzle or two will add flavor and make your oatmeal more satiating.
There are lots of healthy toppings and mix-ins you can add to oatmeal, such as nut butter, nuts, seeds, or Greek yogurt. You could also add fruit like bananas, raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries. Or consider adding a scoop of protein powder or egg whites (before cooking).
If you’re looking for a quick and easy healthy snack, try eating fruit with plain yogurt, a bowl of low-sugar oatmeal, cottage cheese, toast with banana and peanut butter, rice cakes, a handful of nuts, or string cheese. Hummus and carrots, hard-boiled eggs, and no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars are other healthy options.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Remember to use I use gluten-free pretzels and gluten-free quick oats to keep these no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars gluten-free.
- If you don’t have quick oats, try pulsing regular gluten-free oats in the blender or food processor before combining with the peanut butter mixture.
- Feel free to add other mix-ins to these no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars, like dried fruit, peanuts or cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc.
MORE PEANUT BUTTER RECIPES
I hope you love this great recipe as much as we do! If you try these no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars, be sure to leave me a comment/rating below. I’d love to hear from you!
Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (No-Bake!)
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup gluten-free pretzels crushed (measure before crushing)
- 1 3/4 cup gluten-free quick oats
- 1/4 cup almonds chopped
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon salt depending on the saltiness of your peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup peanut butter almond butter or sunbutter will work
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 or a 9×9 pan with parchment paper.
- Place the crushed pretzels, oats, almonds, chocolate chips, salt and vanilla in a bowl and stir to combine.
- Whisk together the peanut butter and honey. You may need to heat the mixture in the microwave or stove top slightly to get it smooth and combined.
- Add the peanut butter mixture to the oat mixture and stir to thoroughly combine. Press the mixture into the prepared pan and top with more crushed pretzels or chocolate chips is you like. Chill for 1 hour before slicing.
- Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for longer storage. Enjoy!
Notes
- Remember to use I use gluten-free pretzels and gluten-free quick oats to keep these no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars gluten-free.
- If you don’t have quick oats, try pulsing regular gluten-free oats in the blender or food processor before combining with the peanut butter mixture.
- Feel free to add other mix-ins to these no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars, like dried fruit, peanuts or cashews, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, etc.
These are freaking amazing! Made them tonight and just waiting for them to finish chilling, but couldn’t help myself but to taste it before its finished chilling and OMG these are freaking amazing!
Ypu have some awesome stuff on your website…I wpuld to see more…thank you
If one wanted to make these vegan , would maple syrup work in place of the honey ?
These are absolutely awesome!!! Already making more for Christmas. Made Gluten free. Thank you for this recipe ❤️
Any chance u could do nutritional facts?
Love your Blog! Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes to help others eat better.
I made these with Justin’s Hazelnut chocolate and Raw honey. Reminded me of a chocolate no bake cookie with a salted crunch. Yummy!
Thanks Dorthy! I’m glad you liked them!
Can any other nut butter be used instead. Peanut butter is a food sensitivity for me
Definitely! These work great with almond butter or sunflower seed butter!
Made these the other night and must have put a bit too much on my dry ingredients because after everything cooled they kind of fall apart when you eat them, but the flavor is unbelievably DELICIOUS!! I will make them again, as soon as we get this first batch eaten. I will just make sure they are “wet” enough this time. Thanks for another great recipe.Love that they are quick, easy, and portable.
I’m glad you like the flavor! I hope they turn out better next time. This recipe works best with liquid-y honey and no-stir peanut butter. I hope that helps!
So funny, when I first saw the title of your post I was thinking “Oooh, I’ll bet I could make GF version” but you did all the work for me! They look awesome and I’m definitely making some this weekend.
Yay for GF! I hope you like them!
You had me at peanut butter!
There is nothing better than a delicious no bake snack. These look perfect for throwing in my bag on the go. YUM!