Delicious Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars Recipe
Welcome to a tasty and wholesome breakfast option that will energize you for the day ahead – Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars! I’m here to share this delicious recipe for those searching for a gluten-free and dairy-free option that can be made right in their own kitchen.
These bars are a perfect combination of rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup, offering a filling breakfast or snack option for anyone on-the-go. They have been meticulously crafted to strike the ideal balance between crunchy and chewy textures, making them a satisfying treat that is not only healthy but also easy and quick to prepare.
The gluten-free rolled oats in this recipe are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that provide numerous health benefits such as improving heart health, reducing blood pressure levels, promoting weight loss, and aiding digestion. Moreover, peanut butter? Coconut oil? Maple syrup?… Put these together in the proper way and it’s magical. Your taste buds will be thanking you for the amazing flavor combination!
Suitable for vegans or anyone with dietary restrictions, these bars offer healthy sugars without artificial sweeteners. It’s also an adaptable recipe that allows for ingredients swaps to cater to individual needs while maintaining the protein bars’ consistency.
So whether you enjoy them fresh out of the oven or pre-made ahead for busy mornings on-the-go, I’m confident that my homemade Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars recipe will become one of your favorites. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Picture this: you’re running late to work or school and you don’t have time to sit down for breakfast. But, you also don’t want to skip it because you know that a nutritious meal is key for keeping your energy levels high throughout the day. What do you do? Enter the oatmeal peanut butter energy bar.
This recipe is not only delicious and nutritious, but it’s also incredibly easy to make. With just a few simple ingredients – rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, maple syrup, honey, coconut oil, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon – and thirty minutes of your time, you’ll have yourself a batch of delicious bars to fuel your day.
What makes these bars so great is their versatility. They’re perfect for on-the-go snacking (no more skipped meals!), pre or post workout fueling, or even as a guilt-free dessert. Plus, they’re gluten-free and dairy-free so they’re suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
Each bite is packed with nourishing ingredients that will keep you feeling full and satisfied. Rolled oats provide complex carbohydrates which are slow burning, while natural peanut butter and honey offer healthy fats and natural sweetness respectively. The addition of chia seeds and dried fruit also gives these bars an extra boost of fiber and nutrients.
These bars not only taste great but are also a healthier alternative to store-bought granola bars which are often packed with artificial sweeteners and preservatives. So why settle for a sugar-loaded bar when you can create something wholesome and delicious? Trust me when I say that once you try these oatmeal peanut butter energy bars, they’ll become a staple in your kitchen.
Ingredient List
Here’s what you’re going to need to make these delicious oatmeal peanut butter energy bars. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to find these products in your local grocery store!
Ingredients 1:
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2 cups rolled oats
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½ cup creamy peanut butter
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1/4 cup honey
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2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Ingredients 2:
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1 cup natural peanut butter, creamy
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1/3 cup maple syrup (you can use an artificial sweetener if you prefer)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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3 cups old-fashioned oats
Optional Add-Ins:
- Chia seeds, dried fruit, or chocolate chips
With only a few essential gluten-free ingredients, you can create a delicious, reliable recipe! When making substitutions, however, please keep in mind that it may alter the flavor and consistency of the final product.
The Recipe How-To
Step 1: Preheat your oven
Before we start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius. We want to make sure that the oven is ready when we’re done preparing the bars.
Step 2: Mix wet ingredients
In a mixing bowl, take ½ cup creamy peanut butter, ¼ cup maple syrup (or any artificial sweetener of your choice), and 2 tablespoons honey. Mix them well until they are combined.
Step 3: Mix dry ingredients
In another bowl, mix together 2 cups rolled oats, 1/4 cup ground cinnamon, and 1/8 cup of sea salt. If you prefer more sweetness, you can add some extra maple syrup. It’s optional!
Step 4: Combine everything
Slowly pour the peanut butter mixture into the oat mixture, stirring constantly until it’s well mixed—this will take some effort as the mixture will become too thick after a while. If it becomes too hard to stir, use your hands to mix everything thoroughly.
Step 6: Prepare for baking
Line a baking pan with parchment paper and press the mixture down into an even layer with a spatula.
Step 7: Bake in preheated oven
Bake the bars in the preheated oven for around 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown on top. You’ll notice that as they bake, they’ll release a wonderful aroma of cinnamon which fills the whole house.
Step 8: Cool and cut
Once finished baking, remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan. After they’re completely cool, remove them from the pan by lifting up on the parchment paper. Cut into squares or rectangles to your desired shape.
And there it is – a simple yet delicious recipe for oatmeal peanut butter energy bars that are gluten-free, dairy-free, and super healthy. These homemade granola bars are perfect for breakfast, mid-day snacking, or as an after-workout snack. So next time you’re on the hunt for an energy boost, make yourself a batch of these tasty bars – you won’t be disappointed!
Substitutions and Variations
Variety is the spice of life, and this recipe offers a ton of creative ways to customize your oatmeal peanut butter energy bars. For example, you can swap out some of the ingredients to create different flavor profiles. Here are some ideas:
– Nut butters: Use almond, cashew or sunflower butter instead of peanut butter for a slightly different taste.
– Sweeteners: Try brown rice syrup, agave nectar, or even molasses instead of maple syrup or honey. Alternatively, replace the sweetener with an equal amount of an artificial sweetener like stevia or monk fruit for a no-calorie option.
– Oats: If you’re gluten-free and sensitive to gluten-free oats, use certified gluten-free steel-cut oats instead.
– Fruits: Experiment with adding dried cranberries or raisins to the oat mix before baking or layering slices of banana before pouring in the wet mixture.
– Protein boosters: To give these bars a protein boost, stir in vanilla-flavored protein powder. You can also add in nut pieces like almonds or ground flaxseed to your recipe.
Remember that some substitutions may impact the texture and bake time of these energy bars. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your ingredients and make these bars your own!
Serving and Pairing
These oatmeal peanut butter energy bars are packed with flavor and make for a perfect quick snack on the go or a pre-workout boost. Serve these chewy, gluten-free bars with a refreshing glass of almond milk, cold brew, or a hot cup of green tea or coffee.
These tasty bars also pair well with fresh fruit, such as sliced bananas or apples. Or, for even more protein-packed nourishment, serve with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
For a delicious treat, try crumbling the bars over some homemade granola or mixing them into your morning oatmeal for an extra protein punch. These bars also make fantastic energy bites – simply shape them into bite sized balls instead of bars and take them with you as you head out the door for a busy day ahead!
These oatmeal peanut butter energy bars are versatile enough to use in many different meals throughout the day – whether it’s a sweet snack in between meals, a breakfast on-the-go ideal for busy mornings or even as dessert after dinner. Enjoy experimenting with different serving ideas to perfectly match these amazing gluten-free protein-packed snacks!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
These oatmeal peanut butter energy bars are a great snack to make ahead of time and store for later. They can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To keep them fresh and chewy, avoid leaving them in direct sunlight or anywhere that’s too humid. Instead, store them in a cool, dry place to keep them from getting soggy.
If you want to reheat your bars, simply place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for a few minutes until they’re warm and ready to eat. You can also pop them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, but be careful not to overheat them as they may become tough and dry.
Another great way to enjoy these energy bars is by freezing them into individual portions. Simply wrap each bar with plastic wrap or foil before placing them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months and make for a great grab-and-go snack that you can enjoy anytime.
Whether you’re making ahead or storing leftovers, these oatmeal peanut butter energy bars are sure to satisfy your cravings and provide you with the much-needed energy boost that you need on-the-go.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve perfect results with your Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars, consider the following tips:
1. Make sure to use gluten-free oats if you have a gluten intolerance. Similarly, if you are lactose intolerant but still want to enjoy these bars, use lactose-free milk.
2. When making these bars, ensure that all the ingredients are at room temperature before you start mixing them. This will allow the ingredients to blend together smoothly.
3. Use a quality creamy peanut butter as it has better consistency compared to other types available in the market.
4. Don’t overmix the ingredients as this can make these bars dense and difficult to bite into. Mix only until everything is well combined.
5. If you prefer your bars chewy instead of crispy, try using steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats.
6. Add-ins such as chia seeds or dried fruit will enhance the nutritional value of these bars.
7. To make portable energy bites or protein balls from this recipe, simply shape the mixture into round balls and store them in a container in the fridge until ready to consume.
8. If you want to give the bars an extra crunch, add some roasted coconut or flax seed and bake them together with the other ingredients.
By following these tips, your Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars will come out perfectly delicious, nutritious and bursting with flavors that you would love!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, these oatmeal peanut butter energy bars are perfect as a quick breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or pre-workout fuel. They are packed with wholesome ingredients, free of gluten and dairy, and easy to make. By following my step-by-step instructions, you can whip up a batch of these bars in no time.
With the combination of rolled oats, peanut butter, and maple syrup, these bars are both tasty and filling. They are also highly customizable, so you can adjust the ingredients to your liking. Whether you prefer dried fruit or chocolate chips, chia seeds or flaxseed meal, these bars will stay chewy and delicious.
By making your own energy bars at home, you can save money and avoid processed snacks with artificial sweeteners or other additives. These bars contain only natural ingredients that are good for you.
So go ahead and give this recipe a try. You won’t be disappointed! Not only will these oatmeal peanut butter energy bars satisfy your hunger and taste buds but they might even become your new favorite snack!
Oatmeal Peanut Butter Energy Bars - Gluten Free Recipe
Ingredients
- cooking spray
- 3/4 cup honey
- 3/4 cup natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or 2 tablespoons agave artificial sweetener
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2 cups crisp brown crispy rice cereal
- 1/2 cup dried fruit (I use small raisin size dry fruit, so I don't have to chop. But any chopped dry fruit will do)
- 4 tablespoons of raw protein powder
Instructions
- Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- (Or, you can also use wax paper on the bottom of your pan if you wish).
- In a large bowl, combine oats, rice cereal, & dry fruit & set aside.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, & cinnamon. Stir and cook until mixture just begins to bubble, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract, & protein powder.
- Pour peanut butter mixture over the oatmeal mixture and stir gently until well combined. Transfer to baking dish, cover with wax paper and press firmly into dish. Allow to cool completely. (will cool faster in the refrigerator).
- Cut into squares or bars.