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Peanut Butter Energy Bars

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By: Erin Antoniak • Updated On June 22, 2026
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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!

Peanut Butter Energy Bars

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.

Peanut Butter Energy Bars

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, 1/2 cup of honey serves as a healthy sweetener.
  • Chia seeds: Chia seeds are nutritious and can be easily snuck into the bars. Use 1/4 cup.
  • Vanilla: Next is the vanilla extract. Use 1 tsp.
  • Salt: Follow the vanilla with 1/2 tsp of salt. Don’t forget this step!
  • Chocolate chips: Finally, the chocolate! You’ll need 1 cup.
  • Coconut oil: 1 tsp 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
  • 8×8 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!

Peanut Butter Energy Bars in pan

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.

Peanut Butter Energy Bars

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.

  • Healthy Pecan Pie Bars
  • No Bake Energy Bites
  • Oatmeal Raisin Energy Balls
  • Healthy Cookie Dough Bars
Peanut Butter Energy Bars
Erin Antoniak

Peanut Butter Energy Bars

5 from 11 votes
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!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 375
Ingredients Method Nutrition Video

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 10 pitted medjool dates
  • 1 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • flakey sea salt

Method
 

  1. In a food processor, blend oats until fine.
  2. Add in medjool dates. If dates are hard, soak in hot water for 5 minutes. Blend until combined.
  3. Add in peanut butter, honey, chia seeds, vanilla, and salt. Blend until well combined and ball forms.
  4. Press dough into 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper.
  5. In a small bowl, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in 30 second increments in microwave until smooth. Pour over top of dough. Sprinkle with flakey salt.
  6. Let freeze at least 30 minutes or fridge for 2 hours before cutting into pieces. Store in freezer or fridge.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 8gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 103mgPotassium: 374mgFiber: 5gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 32IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 64mgIron: 1mg

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Reader Interactions

5 from 11 votes

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Have a question? Use the form below to submit your question or comment. I love seeing what you made!

Recipe Rating




  1. Shelly says

    Posted on 4/24 at 5:19 pm

    5 stars
    These were so good!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/30 at 11:04 am

      Hi Shelly, so happy you loved them!!

      Reply
  2. Kristen says

    Posted on 3/30 at 8:37 am

    5 stars
    Yum! These energy bites are delicious. I subbed agave for the honey because I was running low, and they came out so good. Love having these as a quick snack/treat for a busy week.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/8 at 11:25 am

      Hi Kristen, so glad you loved them and made them your own! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Lori Smith says

    Posted on 3/28 at 3:05 pm

    5 stars
    I love these bars. I make them on repeat. They are tasty and satisfying and so simple to throw together

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/8 at 11:22 am

      Hi Lori, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  4. Sue S says

    Posted on 3/23 at 2:28 pm

    5 stars
    These were delicious! Will definitely make them again.

    Reply
  5. Stephanie G says

    Posted on 3/18 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    These are CRAZY good, and so healthy! I will be making these again and again!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/20 at 11:44 am

      Hi Stephanie, so happy you loved them!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Emily says

    Posted on 3/16 at 9:47 am

    5 stars
    These turned out perfect! Amazing snack to have ready to go.

    Reply
  7. Katie says

    Posted on 1/18 at 3:35 pm

    Just made these! Delish! The sea salt on top is perfect!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/19 at 4:49 pm

      Hi Katie, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  8. Erin says

    Posted on 12/16 at 5:06 pm

    5 stars
    Love these as hungry breastfeeding mom who loves sweets! Will continue making these!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/18 at 9:59 am

      Hi Erin, so glad you enjoyed them!!

      Reply
  9. Morgan says

    Posted on 12/15 at 1:27 pm

    These are amazing, especially for a breastfeeding momma, and they are toddler approved (if you know, you know)! They taste delicious and are quick and easy to make (so important with a newborn + toddler)! I just finished making them probably for the 5th time.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/18 at 9:50 am

      Hi Morgan, so happy everyone loves them!! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Lizzie says

    Posted on 11/7 at 11:45 am

    5 stars
    These are BOMB! The perfect in-between-meal snack! Yummy!!!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/8 at 9:48 am

      Hi Lizzie, so happy you loved them!

      Reply
  11. Meg says

    Posted on 10/27 at 8:43 pm

    These are so good! I made and froze them for a post-partum/breastfeeding snack!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/29 at 1:41 pm

      Hi Meg, so happy you love them and great idea!!

      Reply
  12. Cassie says

    Posted on 8/12 at 2:33 pm

    This recipe is absolutely delicious and the perfect sweet treat that isn’t terrible for you. I love it even more than I expected! The only question I have is how Erin cuts hers so neatly haha mine were a mess but taste amazing!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      Posted on 8/12 at 2:33 pm

      5 stars
      Forgot to add my stars haha

      Reply
      • Erin says

        Posted on 8/14 at 2:02 pm

        Thank you! 🙂

    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/14 at 2:01 pm

      Hi Cassie, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂

      Reply
  13. GillyB says

    Posted on 8/10 at 1:17 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious. Has a nice chewy consistency that I love. 10/10

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/11 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Gilly, so glad you loved them!!

      Reply
  14. Shari says

    Posted on 8/9 at 7:29 pm

    5 stars
    My husband and I really enjoyed them refrigerated. Going to put them in the freezer to see how we like them this way. It’s nice to have a treat that tastes good as well as made with healthy ingredients.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/11 at 3:28 pm

      Hi Shari, so glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Andrea Breece says

    Posted on 8/4 at 7:33 pm

    I can’t wait to try these!!! Can I substitute or is it ok to leave out the dates? They aren’t my favorite flavor?
    Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/5 at 1:48 pm

      Hi Andrea, yes, that’s fine. Let me know how your bars come out!

      Reply
  16. Janne says

    Posted on 8/2 at 12:46 am

    Will this mixture hold together using half the honey? The dates are very sweet, so 1/2 cup of honey seems an awful lot, especially when already trying to cut down on sugars.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/5 at 6:00 pm

      Hi Janne, you can give it a try – should work fine. Let me know how your bars come out!!

      Reply

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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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