Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

$To make these tasty bars, you need simple ingredients. Here’s what to gather: - 2 cups rolled oats - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large banana) - 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed) - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder - 1/4 teaspoon salt - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional) - 1/4 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds, optional) These ingredients work together to give you chewy and sweet bars. You can change the recipe to fit your taste. Try these options: - Use almond butter instead of peanut butter for a different flavor. - Swap honey for agave syrup for a vegan choice. - Add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for extra sweetness. - Mix in seeds like chia or flax for added nutrition. These changes can make your bars unique and fun! Each bar gives you a good mix of nutrients. Here’s what one serving offers: - Calories: 150 - Protein: 4g - Carbohydrates: 23g - Dietary Fiber: 3g - Sugars: 7g - Fat: 6g These bars provide energy and are great for snacks or breakfast. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This makes sure the bars bake evenly. 2. Next, grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave some paper to hang over the sides. This helps you lift the bars out later. 3. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of rolled oats, 1/4 cup of packed brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Stir well to blend all the dry ingredients. 4. In another bowl, combine 1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup of honey (or maple syrup), 1/2 cup of mashed ripe banana, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy. 5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry oat mixture. Stir until everything is combined. If you want, fold in 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips and 1/4 cup of chopped nuts for extra flavor. 6. Now, transfer the mixture into your prepared pan. Spread it out evenly. Press down firmly with a spatula or your hands. This helps the bars hold their shape. 7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The edges should be golden brown, and the center should feel set. 8. Once done, take the pan out of the oven. Let it cool for about 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan. 9. Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack. This helps them firm up. 10. When ready to serve, cut into squares. For a nice touch, stack the bars on a rustic wooden board. Drizzle with honey or sprinkle sea salt on top for a great finish. To get the right texture for your Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars, follow these steps. Use rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats can make the bars too soft. The banana adds moisture, so make sure it’s ripe. A ripe banana mashes easily. If you want chewier bars, press the mixture down firmly in the pan. This helps the bars hold together better. Bake until the edges are golden brown. This gives a nice crisp outside while keeping the inside soft. To keep your bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. This helps them stay soft and tasty. You can also wrap them individually in plastic wrap. This makes grabbing a snack easy. If you want to keep them longer, freeze the bars. Just place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat one, let it thaw at room temperature. Here are some mistakes to skip while making these bars. First, don’t skip the baking powder. It helps the bars rise and stay fluffy. Second, add salt to enhance the flavor. Too little salt makes them taste flat. Avoid over-mixing the wet and dry ingredients. Mixing too much can make the bars tough. Lastly, don’t cut them too soon. Letting them cool completely helps them set. This makes cutting easier and neater. Pro Tips Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be. Look for bananas with brown speckles for optimal sweetness. Experiment with Nut Butters: While peanut butter is delicious, try using almond or cashew butter for a different flavor profile and health benefits. Store Properly: Keep your oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or refrigerate them for longer freshness. Customize Add-ins: Feel free to add dried fruits, seeds, or spices like cinnamon to the mixture for extra flavor and nutrition. {{image_2}} You can easily change these bars to fit your needs. If you want them nut-free, swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter. For a lower sugar option, use a sugar substitute. You can also add dried fruit, like cranberries or raisins, for a chewy texture. Adjust the amounts based on what you like. This way, you can enjoy your bars while sticking to your diet. To make these bars even yummier, think about adding spices. A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg can give a warm taste. If you love chocolate, use chocolate almond butter instead of regular peanut butter. This adds a unique flavor twist. You might also try mixing in some cocoa powder for a rich chocolate kick. Each variation makes the bars special and fun to eat. For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey. Make sure your oats are labeled gluten-free if you need them that way. You can also use flax eggs instead of regular eggs if you want. Just mix one tablespoon of flaxseed with three tablespoons of water, and let it sit for a few minutes. This will help bind the bars together. These simple changes keep the bars tasty and friendly for all diets. To keep your Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. You can place them at room temperature for up to a week. If it’s warm or humid, put them in the fridge. This helps them stay firm and tasty. For longer storage, you can freeze these bars. First, let them cool completely. Then, cut them into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap or foil. Place the wrapped bars in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. To enjoy frozen bars, take out what you need. Let them thaw in the fridge overnight. If you want them warm, heat them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This brings back their soft and chewy texture. Enjoy your delicious Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars anytime! Yes, you can use natural peanut butter. It adds a rich taste. However, it may change the texture. Natural peanut butter has more oil, so you might need to adjust the amount. Use about the same amount, but stir it well before adding. This change can make your bars a bit more crumbly. To boost protein, add protein powder or more nuts. You can mix in about 1/4 cup of protein powder when mixing the dry ingredients. Chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts also work great. They add crunch and flavor while increasing protein. If you like, include some seeds like chia or flaxseeds too. Serve these bars as a snack or breakfast. They taste great with a drizzle of honey on top. You can also pair them with yogurt or fresh fruit. For a fun twist, try spreading a little more peanut butter on a bar. This makes it extra tasty and filling. You’ve learned how to make delicious peanut butter oatmeal bars from scratch. We covered the key ingredients, the step-by-step process, and helpful tips for the perfect texture. You can even customize your bars and make them suit your taste. Remember to store them correctly for lasting freshness. With these insights, you can create a tasty treat for any occasion. Enjoy your baking and share these bars with friends!$

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Delicious and nutritious bars made with oats, peanut butter, and banana, perfect for a snack or breakfast.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Total Time 35

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
0.5 cup creamy peanut butter
0.25 cup honey or maple syrup
0.5 cup mashed ripe banana
0.25 cup brown sugar
0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract
0.5 teaspoon baking powder
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.5 cup dark chocolate chips
0.25 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), mashed banana, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and well blended.
Pour the wet mixture into the oat mixture and stir until fully combined. If using, fold in the dark chocolate chips and chopped nuts.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly, pressing it down firmly with a spatula or your hands.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift the bars out using the parchment overhang and let them cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

Serve the bars stacked on a rustic wooden board, garnished with a drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of sea salt for an appealing finish.

Keyword bars, healthy, oatmeal, peanut butter, snack