These chocolate peanut butter oat bars make a great breakfast, after school snack, or dessert! They're soft, filling, and loaded with that classic chocolate peanut butter flavor everyone loves!
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What happens when you put so many of my favorite things in one snack bar? You get peanut butter oat bars!
This recipe is seriously simple, and that peanut butter/oatmeal/chocolate combo just can't be beat. These are healthy enough to enjoy for breakfast, yet sweet enough to call dessert.
I love the idea of taking these on a picnic or road trip. They'd also be right at home in your child's lunch box or as an airplane snack!
Peanut butter oat bars are really just one of my favorite healthy sweet snacks. They have whole grains from the oats and wheat flour, and protein from the peanut butter.
I used plant based ingredients to keep this recipe vegan, but you could certainly use ordinary milk and chocolate chips if you prefer.
These oatmeal peanut butter bars are easy enough that older children can make them on their own, and fuss-free enough that you can probably have younger kids help you without losing your mind!
Ingredients
- Peanut butter
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla extract
- All purpose flour
- Whole wheat pastry flour
- Oatmeal
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Milk
- Chocolate chips
How to make peanut butter oat bars
- Beat peanut butter and brown sugar on high with a stand mixer until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, oats, salt, and baking soda and mix on medium speed.
- Turn the mixer to low and add the milk, mixing until a dough forms.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Press evenly into an 8x8 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Bake 18-20 minutes or until set and golden on top. Let cool before cutting into squares.
Top tips
What kind of peanut butter should I use?
I always use natural peanut butter in my cooking and baking. A lot of people will tell you not to because of oil separation, but I've found if you make sure it is well stirred it turns out great and has the best peanut butter flavor.
If you prefer to use a processed peanut butter like JIF or Skippy you are very welcome to and the bars will turn out fine.
Where do I find whole wheat pastry flour?
I purchase whole wheat pastry flour in the bulk section of my local food co-op. If you prefer, you could use regular whole wheat flour.
I do not recommend substituting white flour for the whole wheat flour since they behave differently in recipes.
Do I need to let these cool before cutting?
I recommend letting these cool completely before enjoying. I know, it's so hard! But this is a very soft oatmeal peanut butter bar, so cooling will let them firm up a bit as well as develop the flavors.
Tips for customizing
- Swap the peanut butter for your other favorite nut butter
- Drizzle the top of the baked bars with melted chocolate, or spread with chocolate frosting for an elevated treat
- Try using crunchy peanut butter, or add a handful of finely chopped peanuts or raisins to the batter
More peanut butter recipes
- Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars
- Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites
- Peanut Butter Larabars
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Single Serving Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites
- Chewy Peanut Butter Bites
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup natural creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup plant based milk, such as unsweetened almond
- ⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix peanut butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
- Add flour, oats, salt, and baking soda and mix on medium speed. The dough will look crumbly.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the milk and mix until a dough forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- When the dough is completely combined, press evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake 18-20 minutes or until set and golden on top. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Jessica Cody says
Great healthy snack. Made these today and love them!
Mary Devine says
How come I haven't been offered one of these awesome looking bars when I'm at your house? We need to make these sometime. Making me hungry looking at them. Your photos of are great.
Clarice Nassif says
How do I store these?
Lindsay Moe says
You can cover the pan with plastic wrap, or better yet put them in an airtight container and keep at room temperature for up to 3 days.