Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Jump to Recipe

Looking for a healthy snack that doesn’t come in a cardboard box? These chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal bars are the perfect option. Made with just 5 simple ingredients, these peanut butter banana oatmeal bars contain no refined sugar, flour, eggs or oil.

This post may contain affiliate links. Delightful E Made is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Peanut butter banana oatmeal bars in a pan cut into squares, with text overlay.

Looking for a healthier option over store-bought granola or breakfast bars? These store-bought bars often contain loads of refined sugar, preservatives, oils and other unhealthy processed ingredients.

The better way to go is to make these peanut butter oatmeal bars at home. This recipe needs just 5 ingredients and can be mixed up in just minutes. Made with no refined sugar, flour, oils or eggs, these oatmeal bars are a great healthy snack option!

Ingredients needed to make peanut butter oatmeal bars.

What do I need to make peanut butter oatmeal bars?

Here’s a quick-reference checklist of the ingredients you’ll need to make these oatmeal bars:

Oatmeal – I recommend using old fashioned rolled oats. I don’t recommend instant oats or steel-cut oats, as these will result in undesirable textures for these bars.
Ripe bananas – brown and spotty bananas are ideal for this recipe. They will provide extra sweetness without adding refined sugar.
Creamy peanut butter -choose a good quality nut butter that has just nuts and salt in the ingredients. Steer clear of peanut butter that includes palm oil, soybean oils, high fructose corn syrup or other highly processed ingredients.
Vanilla extract – this will add some great flavor to the bars.
No Sugar Added Chocolate Chips – I love Lily’s NSA chocolate chips as these don’t contain refined sugar.

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!

Oatmeal, bananas, and chocolate chips being mixed together in a mixing bowl.

Peanut butter oatmeal bars batter pressed into pan and topped with chocolate chips.

How do I make peanut butter banana oatmeal bars?

Start by mashing the bananas. Then add the peanut butter and vanilla and mix together well. These will act as your wet ingredients.

Next, mix in the oats and the chocolate chips. The batter will be thick.

Press the batter into a 9×9″ pan and top with additional chocolate chips. Bake until the bars are golden brown.

Peanut butter oatmeal bars baked and cut into squares.

Chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal bars in pan, cut into squares.

Once baked, let the bars cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting into squares.

Storage and Freezing Options for chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal bars:

Storage: for best results, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Refrigerated, the bars will keep for 7-10 days. The bars can be left out at room temperature, but will only keep for 1-2 days.
Freezing: cut the bars into squares. They can be wrapped individually (press-and-seal wrap works well). Store the bars in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container. Frozen, the bars will keep for up to three months.
Defrosting: defrost in the microwave in 30 second increments. Heat until warm. You can also defrost at room temperature overnight, or in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.

Peanut butter oatmeal bar with chocolate chips held in hand.

FAQ’s about oatmeal and oat bars:

Is oatmeal and peanut butter healthy?

Combining oatmeal and peanut butter can be a healthy breakfast or snack option. Oatmeal is a healthy source of fiber and good quality peanut butter is a good plant-based fat. Choose a peanut butter that contains just nuts and salt. Avoid nut butter that include palm oils, soybean oils or high fructose corn syrup and added sugar.

How healthy are oat bars?

When made at home, oat bars can be a great healthy snack. Choose good quality ingredients, and limit added sugar when making oat bars.

Is a granola bar the same as oatmeal?

Granola bars and oatmeal are rather different. Granola bars, while sometimes made with oatmeal, also include other high-calorie ingredients like honey, nuts, and sometime unhealthy oils or high fructose corn syrup. If looking for the healthier option, go with a homemade oatmeal bar.

Which is healthier granola or oatmeal?

Oatmeal is the healthier option over granola. Granola, even though it uses oatmeal, also contains other high-calorie ingredients like sugar, oils and sometimes high fructose corn syrup. Before buying, check the ingredients and nutrition labels.

Stack of chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal bars on a wooden board.

Love chocolate and peanut butter? Check out some of our most popular peanut butter treats:

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Yield: 16 bars

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 28 minutes

Need a new healthy snack option? These chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal bars are a great make-ahead snack. Just 5 ingredients and no refined sugar!

Ingredients

3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup no sugar added chocolate chips, like Lily's
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9x9" square pan with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas well. Add in the peanut butter and vanilla and whisk together to combine.
Add in the oatmeal and 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips (reserve the remaining chocolate chips for the topping). Mix together with a rubber scraper.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and spread evenly. Top with the remaining chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until bars are golden brown.
Remove from oven and let cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting into 16 squares.

Notes

Storage: store any leftovers in an airtight container. These can be kept at room temperature, but will only last 1-2 days. For best results, store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Refrigerated, will keep for 7-10 days.

Freezing: store in a freezer bag or airtight freezer container. Will keep frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, reheat in the microwave for 30-45 seconds per bar. A large batch can also be thawed at room temperature overnight or in the refrigerator for 24 hours.