Stock up on a healthy snack for the week ahead with these Peanut Butter Energy Bars. This easy, no bake recipe combines delicious flavors with healthy ingredient choices for a snack that's perfect in more ways than one!

A Quick Look

Recipe Name: Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Ready In: 20 minutes
Serves: 12 bars
Main Ingredients: rolled oats, pitted medjool dates, natural peanut butter, honey, chia seeds, vanilla, salt, chocolate chips
Why You'll Love It: Stock up on a healthy snack for the week ahead with these Peanut Butter Energy Bars. This easy, no bake recipe combines delicious flavors with healthy ingredient choices for a snack that's perfect in more ways than one!

The easiest peanut butter energy bars recipe

When it comes to snacking, I'm a big fan of making snacks as delicious yet nutritious as they can be. These peanut butter energy bars do the trick! Not only do they taste great, they also serve as a protein-rich snack that's perfect for giving the body a little boost.

These energy bars are made with healthier ingredients and are perfect for keeping on hand as a quick grab-and-go option. I love to throw one in my bag when I leave the house. They're also great for packing in kids' lunches! Made with peanut butter, rolled oats, honey, and a few other kitchen staples, they come together easily and in hardly any time at all.

Ingredients in peanut butter energy bars

These peanut butter energy bars utilize 10 ingredients. You'll find that though they make a great healthy snack, they're sweet enough to enjoy for dessert too!

Rolled oats: First, you will need 2 cups of rolled oats. These are going to form the base of the energy bars and help contribute to the protein.
Dates: Next up are 10 pitted medjool dates. Dates will sweeten up the recipe!
Peanut butter: 1 cup of natural peanut butter thickens up the bars while adding both flavor and protein. You can use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any other nut butter if preferred.
Honey: Next, ½ cup of honey serves as a healthy sweetener.
Chia seeds: Chia seeds are nutritious and can be easily snuck into the bars. Use ¼ cup.
Vanilla: Next is the vanilla extract. Use 1 tsp.
Salt: Follow the vanilla with ½ teaspoon of salt. Don't forget this step!
Chocolate chips: Finally, the chocolate! You'll need 1 cup.
Coconut oil: 1 teaspoon of coconut oil will be used to help melt the chocolate.
Sea salt: Flaky sea salt will be used to sprinkle on top.

Tools used to create these energy bars

To create these peanut butter bars, you will need a set of kitchen tools. Everything is listed below for easy prep:

Food processor
8x8 pan
Parchment paper
Small microwavable bowl
Stirring utensil

Photo of ingredients for Peanut Butter Energy Bars with labels.

Peanut Butter Energy Bars in food processor

How to make healthy no bake peanut butter energy bars

Now that you've gathered your ingredients and kitchen tools, it's time to get started! This recipe comes together easily and requires no baking. Just mix, assemble, and freeze!

To begin, add everything to a food processor and blend the oats until they reach a fine texture.

Next, add the medjool dates. If the dates are hard, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes. Blend until combined.

Add the peanut butter, honey, chia seeds, vanilla, and salt. Blend until everything is well combined and a ball forms.

Then, press the dough into an 8 inch baking dish or pan lined with parchment paper.

Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small bowl. Melt them in the microwave in 30 second increments. Once the texture is smooth, stir and pour the mixture over the top of the dough. Sprinkle with flakey sea salt.

Let it freeze for at least 30 minutes in the freezer or chill for 2 hours in the fridge. Once hardened, cut into bars.

Step-by-step Instructions on how to make Peanut Butter Energy Bars

Storing leftovers

Once the peanut butter oatmeal bars are complete, they can be stored in either the fridge or freezer. Just be sure to let them reach room temperature before enjoying!

Recipe Tips

Are energy bars healthy for you?

Energy bars can be as healthy or as non-healthy as you make them. It all comes down to the ingredients! With a mix of rolled oats, peanut butter, chia seeds, and dates, these energy bars are packed with nutrient-rich ingredients that help fuel the body.

Can peanut butter give you energy?

It sure can! Peanut butter contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, sugar, fiber, Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, and more. All of these contribute to providing the body with fuel!

Can you eat an energy bar every day?

That depends on your specific health and macro goals. There is nothing wrong with an enjoying one of these energy bars each day.

What can I add to these energy bars?

Some mix-ins that could make nice additions to these peanut butter bars include mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips, dried fruit, crushed nuts (like almonds or walnuts), or coconut flakes.

If you liked this recipe, you'll want to try these!

Looking for some more protein and energy-rich recipes? Try one of these! All of these bite and bar ideas make great grab-and-go options.

Erin Antoniak