These wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars are an ideal breakfast or snack! Supremely smooth and chewy, much like basic oatmeal cookies, their comforting texture pairs completely with their calmly sweetened and comfortable peanutty taste. With lower than 20 minutes to get the pan within the oven, this oatmeal bar recipe is fast and straightforward to whip up any day of the week — and liked by youngsters and adults alike!
Throughout my first winter of faculty, I discovered myself enrolled in a Monday evening chemistry lab from 7-10 pm… Adopted by a three-hour block of back-to-back lectures that began at 7:30 am the next morning. Many weeks, it felt as if I had simply barely closed my eyes by the point my alarm rang, jolting me awake within the pitch black darkness of my dorm room.
Not less than two others on my flooring ended up with the identical robust scheduling luck, so the three of us walked right down to the car parking zone in hoodies and sweats on these Tuesday mornings and rode our bikes by means of the thick, heavy fog to campus. After trampling into the large corridor and pulling out pencils, we scribbled down notes because the a lot too chipper professor defined new ideas and balanced acid-base response equations on an overhead projector.
As quickly as she launched us, I raced throughout the street to a smaller room for a liberal arts lesson. Whereas that lecturer spoke, I continuously jotted down extra notes on recent sheets of paper, solely briefly pausing to click on up extra lead in my mechanical pencil… As a result of doing that helped me keep awake and alert after an evening of not practically sufficient sleep.
Lastly, simply after 10:30 am, I hopped again on my bike and navigated by means of the throngs of scholars over to the fitness center. As a result of practically 4 hours had handed since breakfast, I shortly scarfed down a granola bar earlier than starting my exercise.
Dwelling within the freshman dorms, I lacked a kitchen, so I opted for the comfort of store-bought snacks to gas my fitness center periods…
However these wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars would’ve been a incredible home made different — for each breakfasts and snacks on these rushed Tuesday mornings! They’re a scrumptious grab-and-go choice, and so they’re good for meal prepping too. (Or snack prepping, for those who favor that as a substitute! 😉 )
QUICK OVERVIEW – HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Issue: Pretty straightforward, together with for a lot of newbie bakers.
Style: Frivolously sweetened, much like breakfast scones or muffins, with a comfy oat taste surrounded by notes of peanut butter.
Texture: Moist, smooth, and chewy — similar to common oatmeal cookies!
KEY INGREDIENTS TO MAKE HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Let’s go over what you’ll must make these wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars! You most likely have many of those components in your kitchen already. If not, lots of them are simply customizable to what you do have readily available!
Oats. These are the star of the present! Though with a recipe title like “peanut butter oatmeal bars,” I’m guessing you’ve already figured that out…
To make these bars, you’ll want immediate oats. They’re additionally known as “fast cooking” and “one minute” oats. They’re not those offered in particular person packets with flavors comparable to apple cinnamon or maple brown sugar! As an alternative, immediate oats solely comprise one ingredient (oats!), and so they’re smaller and thinner than old style rolled oats.
That dimension distinction is necessary! As a result of they’re smaller and thinner, immediate oats soften sooner — and that offers your wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars the finest smooth and chewy texture.
Tip: Licensed gluten-free immediate oats work completely too, for those who’d wish to make these peanut butter oatmeal bars gluten-free!
Flour. To make these bars more healthy, I opted for entire wheat flour. I like how its taste accentuates the coziness of the oats, and entire wheat flour additionally offers these peanut butter oatmeal bars extra fiber and micronutrients. I name {that a} win-win!
Tip: For those who’d wish to make your wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars gluten-free, then see the Notes part of the recipe. I’ve shared my prime suggestions there!
Cinnamon. I do know many peanut butter cookie and bar recipes don’t embrace this… However there’s simply one thing so good concerning the pairing of oats and cinnamon. It’s nearly like salt and pepper, cereal and milk, or frosting and cake. It simply feels too bizarre making oatmeal cookies or bars with out cinnamon!
So sure, I sprinkled in a small quantity — simply sufficient to provide these peanut butter oatmeal bars a background heat and coziness. I promise the peanut taste nonetheless shines by means of!
Tip: I extremely advocate Saigon cinnamon! It has a barely stronger, sweeter, and richer taste than common cinnamon. I’m obsessed, and it’s virtually the one form I now use in my baking! Many shops have began stocking it, however I usually purchase it on-line right here. (It’s actually reasonably priced!)
Egg white. This binds collectively the opposite components. It additionally offers your peanut butter oatmeal bars a bit of protein increase!
Peanut butter. I used my home made peanut butter. You solely want 5 minutes to make it — tremendous fast and straightforward! For those who’d reasonably use store-bought, then be sure that it’s (a) creamy peanut butter and (b) the pure form that solely incorporates peanuts and salt. It ought to be liquidy at room temperature, and provides it an excellent, thorough stir to reincorporate any oil that may have collected on the floor earlier than measuring it.
Tip: Do not substitute crunchy peanut butter! In these oatmeal bars, the peanut butter is definitely thought of a “liquid” ingredient as a result of it contributes to the entire liquid quantity. The peanut bits in crunchy peanut butter scale back the quantity of “liquid” out there, which then throws off the ratio of moist and dry components… And that may make your oatmeal bars crumbly or dry. So for one of the best smooth and chewy texture — and one of the best peanut taste! — use natural-style creamy peanut butter.
Sweetener. Pure maple syrup is the sweetener you’ll want as we speak! It’s the sort that comes immediately from maple timber, and it solely incorporates one ingredient: maple syrup. It’s usually offered in skinny glass bottles or squat plastic jugs (like this!).
I don’t advocate substituting pancake syrup or sugar-free maple syrup. These comprise different components, which frequently impacts the feel of your oatmeal bars. That is very true of the latter! Sugar-free maple syrup is usually water-based, so substituting it might yield bars which might be extra cakey, bready, or dry.
Milk. To verify these peanut butter oatmeal bars qualify as breakfasts and snacks, reasonably than dessert, you’ll use half the quantity of sweetener in comparison with conventional oatmeal cookie recipes. (Therefore why they’re calmly sweetened!) To compensate for the “lacking” different half, you’ll stir in milk. Nearly any type of milk will work!
I take advantage of unsweetened vanilla almond milk probably the most as a result of that’s what lots of my members of the family like and maintain readily available, however I additionally love unsweetened cashew milk as a result of it’s so thick and creamy. For those who go together with both of these choices, your wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars can be dairy-free!
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Gathered your components? Then let’s discuss the best way to make the finest peanut butter oatmeal bars! Like I promised above, they’re easy and simple, however I nonetheless have some tricks to share with you. The primary one is…
Measure appropriately. I do know, I do know… You could be uninterested in me repeating this again and again. However earlier than you roll your eyes (or perhaps even whilst you do!), I’m going to emphasise it once more.
It’s actually necessary to measure the components appropriately — notably the oats and flour! — utilizing this technique or a kitchen scale. An excessive amount of of both one will make the batter too thick, and it’ll additionally yield bars that bready, crumbly, or dry. That is very true for the oats. They act like little sponges and absorb a number of moisture from batters and doughs!
Use the right pan dimension. Double test the size alongside the highest fringe of your pan! Sq. pans are measured in keeping with their tops, and also you want an 8”-square pan to make these wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars. That implies that the prime edge ought to be 8” lengthy.
Many sq. baking pans have sloped sides, so the highest rim isn’t the identical size as the underside edge. In case your sq. pan measures 9” throughout the highest however solely 8” throughout the underside, it’s a 9”-square pan — and it’s too massive for this recipe. (Your bars would end up actually skinny and be liable to overbaking!) Attain for a sq. baking dish that’s 8” throughout the highest as a substitute!
Do not overbake. Moreover including an excessive amount of flour or too many oats, that is the opposite #1 perpetrator that yields cakey, bready, or dry bars. These peanut butter oatmeal bars bake shortly, so don’t stray too removed from the kitchen! They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the perimeters really feel agency however the heart nonetheless seems shiny and a bit underdone. The warmth from the pan will proceed to prepare dinner that heart right through whilst you let the bars cool and set. (Extra on that momentarily!)
For those who left them within the oven till the middle felt agency as effectively, your bars would end up cakey and dry — not fantastically smooth, chewy, and moist like they’re purported to be! Identical to when baking home made brownies, pull them out a bit of earlier than you would possibly suppose for the absolute best texture.
Cool + set. Yup, you want a little bit of persistence for this step… I’m insisting that you simply let your wholesome peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars cool fully to room temperature and set for 4+ hours for one of the best smooth and chewy texture. They style extra cake-like for those who minimize into them sooner, however for those who’re capable of wait lengthy sufficient, they’ve an unbelievable consistency that’s nearly precisely like common oatmeal cookies.
Tip: For those who can’t wait fairly that lengthy, then put your pan within the fridge for two+ hours as soon as the bars are at room temperature to hurry up the method!
FAQS ABOUT HEALTHY PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BARS
Are these peanut butter oatmeal bars gluten-free, clear consuming, low fats, low calorie, or low sugar?
Sure — to all the pieces! These wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars are naturally clear consuming, low fats, and low calorie (in comparison with many extra conventional recipes!). They’re dairy-free with no white sugar, and I included my prime gluten-free suggestions within the Notes part of the recipe too.
Can I take advantage of old style rolled oats?
Form of! Measure out the identical quantity of old style rolled oats, however pulse them in a blender or meals processor till they’re about ⅛ to ¼ of their authentic dimension earlier than utilizing them. This makes them nearer in dimension to immediate oats, so that you’ll mainly obtain the identical smooth and chewy texture.
What a few totally different flour?
You positive can! White entire wheat flour, entire wheat pastry flour, and all-purpose flour all work simply as effectively. Oat flour (gluten-free, if needed!) is one other good different, however be very cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours.
Might I take advantage of the entire egg, not simply the white?
Completely! Simply scale back the milk by ½ tablespoon to compensate for the added liquid quantity from the yolk.
Is it okay to substitute crunchy peanut butter?
No — and I encourage that you simply don’t! It yields bars which might be cakey, bready, or dry. (See the “peanut butter” header within the “Key Components to Make Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars” part above for extra info.)
Can I take advantage of a unique sweetener?
You positive can! Honey and agave each work equally effectively.
What about one other kind of milk?
Sure once more! Nearly any kind will work, so be happy to make use of no matter you have already got in your fridge. No want for a particular journey to the grocery retailer!
My bars turned out cakey, bready, or dry. Why is that?
There are just a few potential culprits! The 2 most typical ones are too many oats or an excessive amount of flour. Be sure to’re measuring these appropriately — and do not scoop both one from its container! (See the “measure appropriately” header within the “The right way to Make Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars” part above for more information.)
Two different causes could be utilizing the flawed pan dimension or baking them for too lengthy. Double test that you simply’re utilizing an 8”-square pan (not a 9” one!), and pull it out of the oven when the middle continues to be a bit shiny and underdone. (See the “use the right pan dimension” and “don’t overbake” headers within the “The right way to Make Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars” part above for more information.)
Lastly, give your oatmeal bars sufficient time to completely cool and set earlier than slicing them into squares. They flip softer and chewier the longer they’re allowed to relaxation! (See the “cool + set” header within the “The right way to Make Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars” part above for more information.)
How ought to I retailer these wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars? And the way lengthy do they final?
I retailer these bars in an hermetic container within the fridge. They need to maintain for at the least 4 days, usually longer — in the event that they even final that lengthy! In addition they freeze and thaw rather well, for those who’d wish to maintain a stash in your freezer!
My faculty self could be leaping away from bed for one among these proper about now! 😉 And if you make your personal, keep in mind to snap an image and share it on Instagram utilizing #amyshealthybaking and tagging @amyshealthybaking IN the photograph itself! (That ensures I’ll see your image! 🙂 ) I’d like to see your wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars!
Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
These peanut butter oatmeal bars are an ideal breakfast or snack! They’re supremely moist and chewy, much like basic oatmeal cookies, with a calmly sweetened and smooth peanut taste. These bars are fast and straightforward to whip up any day of the week — and liked by youngsters and adults alike! Leftovers will maintain for at the least 4 days (if not longer!) if saved in an hermetic container within the fridge.
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 300°F, and coat an 8”-square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
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In a medium bowl, whisk collectively the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the egg white and vanilla. Stir within the peanut butter till fully integrated. Stir within the maple syrup till completely integrated. Stir within the milk. Add within the oat combination, and stir till simply integrated.
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Unfold the combination into the ready pan. Bake at 300°F for 10-12 minutes. Cool fully to room temperature within the pan. Permit them to relaxation for a further 4+ hours as soon as at room temperature for one of the best smooth and chewy texture earlier than slicing into squares.
Notes
IMPORTANT PAN SIZE NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Pan dimensions are measured alongside their prime rims, not their backside sides. Some sq. baking dishes have sloped sides, in order that they’re 9” throughout the highest and nearer to eight” throughout the underside. If that’s true to your baking dish, it’s truly a 9”-square pan and too massive for this recipe. As a result of it has a bigger floor space (81 in2), your bars would end up actually skinny and be liable to overbaking.
IMPORTANT BAKING NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: Do not over-bake these bars! They’re prepared to return out of the oven when the perimeters really feel agency however the heart nonetheless look barely shiny and underdone. The warmth from the pan will proceed to prepare dinner the middle right through whilst you let the bars cool to room temperature and set.
OATS NOTES + ALTERNATIVE: Immediate oats are also called “fast cooking” or “one-minute” oats. They arrive in giant canisters, identical to old style oats. They’re not those within the small flavored packets of oatmeal.
To make your personal, add the identical quantity of old style rolled oats to a meals processor, and pulse 10-12 occasions or till the oats are about ¼ to ⅛ of their authentic dimension.
FLOUR ALTERNATIVES: White entire wheat flour, entire wheat pastry flour, or all-purpose flour could also be substituted for the entire wheat flour. Oat flour (gluten-free if wanted) can also be substituted, however be very cautious when measuring it as a result of it tends to be extra absorbent than wheat-based flours.
EGG WHITE ALTERNATIVE: For those who favor to make use of the entire egg, then use 1 giant egg and scale back the milk by ½ tablespoon to compensate for the added quantity from the yolk.
PEANUT BUTTER NOTES: This is my home made creamy peanut butter recipe. You simply want 5 minutes to make it! If utilizing store-bought creamy peanut butter, be sure that it solely incorporates peanuts and salt. (Slightly oil is ok.) It ought to be liquidy at room temperature. Do not substitute crunchy peanut butter.
SWEETENER ALTERNATIVES: Honey or agave could also be substituted for the pure maple syrup. Alternatively, substitute ¼ cup (48g) coconut sugar or mild brown sugar and 2 ½ tablespoons (38mL) milk (any kind!) for the pure maple syrup.
I do not advocate substituting sugar free maple syrup. It’s usually water-based, and that tends to make these oatmeal bars end up cakey, bready, or dry.
MILK ALTERNATIVES: Any milk could also be substituted for the unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
DAIRY-FREE VERSION: No modifications wanted!
GLUTEN-FREE VERSION: Use licensed gluten-free immediate oats (like these). For the gluten-free flour, use the next: ½ cup (60g) millet flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) tapioca flour, 2 tablespoons (15g) brown rice flour, and ½ teaspoon xanthan gum. Licensed gluten-free oat flour (like this) and lots of store-bought gluten free flour blends (I like this one from Bob’s Purple Mill) may also work, if measured like this.
HOW TO STORE: Retailer leftover oatmeal bars in an hermetic container. If refrigerated, they’ll for at the least 4 days (if not longer!). These oatmeal bars additionally freeze rather well!
{gluten-free, dairy-free, clear consuming, low fats}
View Vitamin Data + Weight Watchers Factors
You may additionally like Amy’s different recipes…
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Granola Bars
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Protein Bars
♡ Wholesome Brownie & Oat Snack Bars
♡ Wholesome Oatmeal Raisin Snack Cake
♡ Wholesome Blueberry Oatmeal Snack Cake
♡ Wholesome Peanut Butter Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
♡ …and the remainder of Amy’s wholesome peanut butter flavored recipes and wholesome snack recipes!
