These easy peanut butter oatmeal bars are vegan, gluten-free and jazzed up with chocolate chips. They make an awesome snack or a healthy dessert!

Stack of 4 peanut butter oatmeal bars with chocolate chips

Peanut butter. Chocolate chunks. And oats. No matter how those three things are combined, you know it's going to be good. Whether it's in a cookie form, a breakfast form or these peanut butter oatmeal bars, it's just an epic combination that never fails.

Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Better than store-bought. These are the most incredible, dense and delicious snack bars! They're soft and chewy, they're full of peanut buttery goodness, and they have little pops of chocolate throughout.
A well-rounded snack that tastes like a treat. I'm here for the sweet afternoon snacks and these deliver! But they’re also healthy—we’re talking good for you fats, fiber, protein and natural sugars all in one.
Quick and easy. All you need to do is mix everything together in one bowl and bake it up. This is such a simple recipe and it takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish.

Overhead view of peanut butter oatmeal bar squares

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Flaxseed meal and warm water – This is the “flax egg” that helps bind everything together.
Unsweetened applesauce
Creamy peanut butter – I recommend looking for a jar that only has one ingredient: peanuts! Or use your own homemade peanut butter.
Coconut sugar
Quinoa flour
Quick cooking oats – Make sure you buy gluten-free certified if you need these peanut butter oatmeal bars to be gluten-free.
Baking soda
Sea salt
Chocolate chunks – You can chop up a bar of chocolate or use chocolate chips.

Chocolate chunks added to mixture for peanut butter oatmeal bars

How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Make the flax egg. Whisk the water and flax in a small bowl and set aside until it gels.
Mix the wet ingredients. Beat the applesauce and peanut butter, then mix in the sugar and flax egg.
Finish the batter. Stir in the flour, oats, baking soda, and salt, then fold in the chocolate chunks. Transfer to a parchment-lined square baking pan.
Bake. Place the pan into a 350ºF oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes. Cool completely before slicing into bars.

Overhead view of peanut butter oatmeal bars cut into squares

Tips and Variations

Add some nuts. For extra crunch, swap half the chocolate chunks for chopped roasted peanuts, or even another type of nut (almonds would be great!).
Try other add-ins. Feel free to put your own spin on this recipe by adding dried fruit or shredded coconut, seeds, or other add-ins instead of the chocolate.
Make them nut-free. If you need the bars to be nut-free, simply substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter. For a peanut-free version that's still made with nuts, try almond butter or another nut butter.
Warm them up. Give these peanut butter oatmeal bars about 15 seconds in the microwave before serving and they'll knock your socks off!

Cut peanut butter oatmeal bars arranged on countertop

How to Store

Store peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 to 5 days.

Can I Freeze This Recipe?

Yes! Freeze peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.

Peanut butter oatmeal bars on countertop with one bar bitten

More Healthy Peanut Butter Recipes

Prep: 5

Cook: 22

Total: 27

Ingredients

2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
6 tablespoons warm water
¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
¾ cup creamy peanut butter
½ cup coconut sugar
⅓ cup quinoa flour
1 cup gluten-free quick cooking oats
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup vegan chocolate chunks (or chocolate chips)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line an 8” x 8” baking pan with parchment and set aside.
Whisk together flaxseed meal and water and set aside. Allow to gel for 3 – 4 minutes.
Beat together applesauce and peanut butter until creamy. Add sugar and flax eggs, and beat until combined.
Add quinoa flour, oats, baking soda and salt and mix until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chunks (or chips).
Transfer batter to the prepared baking pan. Press it into the corners of the pan using wet hands or a pastry roller. Bake on the center rack for 20 – 22 minutes.
Let the bars cool in pan completely before slicing. Bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days.

Video

Notes

Store peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 4 to 5 days.

Nutrition

cuisine: American

course: Dessert