No Bake Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars

We all have those days when we need a snack that's quick, easy, and actually makes us feel good. These No Bake Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars are my go-to for just that. With just 15 minutes of prep and zero baking, they're an absolute lifesaver for busy mornings or when you're craving something satisfying.

My kids love them, and honestly, I do too. The sweet bananas and creamy peanut butter are just like the peanut butter banana sandwiches I ate as a kid! However, they're packed with good-for-you ingredients like oats, flaxseed, and chia seeds, so they keep everyone full and energized.

I make a batch at the beginning of the week, and they're perfect for grabbing on the go, whether it's breakfast, an after-school snack, or just a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Plus, since they're so easy to tweak (throw in some dried fruit, nuts, or extra chocolate), they're a hit for all tastes. This recipe has been a game-changer for our family, especially when we need something nutritious but don't want to spend forever in the kitchen.

If you're a huge snacker like us, add these Healthy No Bake Oatmeal Cookies, No Bake Date Brownie Bites, and No Bake Granola Bars to your stash for the perfect dessert!

Your New Favorite Grab-and-Go Snack

Here are some reasons these no bake peanut butter oat bars are the perfect snack:

• Quick and easy prep: The hardest part of making these no bake banana oat bars is waiting for them to set.
• Naturally sweet: No need for brown sugar in this no bake recipe. The bananas and maple syrup make these bars satisfyingly sweet.
• No-bake: Who doesn't love a no-bake recipe? No oven needed, just mix, press, and chill! They're perfect for days when you don't want to heat up the kitchen.
• Versatile: Use them for breakfast on the go, a pre-workout snack, or a midday pick-me-up. These bars are perfect for when you need a quick energy boost.

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

Here's everything you need to make these no bake peanut butter bars:

• Bananas: The browner, the sweeter! Mashed bananas also make the bars nice and soft.
• Peanut butter: Peanut butter lover or not, PB makes our bars deliciously nutty with a creamy mouthfeel. Use natural peanut butter, either chunky, sugar-free, reduced fat, or even other types of nut butter like almond and cashew butter.
• Maple syrup: Aside from being sweet, real and pure maple syrup also adds notes of vanilla, caramel, and toffee to these banana oat bars. I usually buy mine at Costco, but this is a great option as well. You can also use agave syrup or honey.
• Cinnamon: This warm spice is so good on desserts. A dash of nutmeg or pumpkin spice is delicious, too!
• Rolled oats: These give the bars their shape and a nice chewy texture. Use rolled, old-fashioned oats since instant or quick oats can make the bars crumbly. Swap with gluten-free oats if needed.
• Flaxseed meal: These add a fun crunch, extra nutrients, and fiber. I like using golden flaxseed meal because it's sweeter and nuttier, but the darker flaxseed meal is good , too.
• Chia seeds: Feel free to include other seeds like sunflower and hemp seeds. I usually find the best deals on chia seeds in the bulk bins at the grocery store or online. If you can find them for less than $5/pound, it's a pretty good deal. Plus, they last forever.
• Mix-ins: Unsweetened shredded coconut and dark chocolate chips or chunks are totally optional. But they just taste so much better with them, especially dark chocolate with the sweetness of banana! You can even mix/swap with white chocolate, caramel chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit.

What if I don't like shredded coconut?

If coconut isn't your thing, you can simply omit it. Alternatively, try adding extra oats, chopped nuts, or even some dried fruit for a different texture and flavor. The bars will still hold together and taste great without it!

How can I make these bars vegan?

These bars are almost vegan already! Just make sure to swap the honey for maple syrup or another vegan liquid sweetener, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips or chunks if needed. You'll have a fully vegan snack!

How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These bars take around 3-4 hours to set, making them perfect for making ahead. Prep them before you go out in the morning, or let them chill overnight. Here's how to make this easy peanut butter oatmeal bar recipe at home:

• Combine wet ingredients: Mix the mashed bananas, peanut butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon until well combined. For easier mixing, ensure the ingredients, especially the peanut butter, are at room temperature.
• Mix in dry ingredients: Add the oats, flaxseed meal, coconut, and chia seeds to the wet mixture. Stir until evenly combined, then gently fold the chocolate chips. Mix some dried fruit, nuts, or other seeds for extra nutrition and flavor.

• Set in the fridge: Press into an 8 x 8 baking dish lined with parchment paper. Use the back of a measuring cup to press evenly. Refrigerate for 3-4 hours until firm.
• Serve: Once set, cut the mixture into squares. Wrap individual squares in plastic wrap for convenient grab-and-go snacks. Store any leftovers in the fridge.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

These no bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars are "so easy a kid could do it" simple. But here are a few tips to make absolutely sure yours turn out perfect:

• Line your pan: These bars are sticky. A sheet of foil, parchment, or plastic wrap makes them easy to lift from your baking dish.
• Use really ripe bananas: They're sweeter and easier to mash. The best bananas for baking are soft with brown spots. If yours are still too firm, try these tips to ripen them fast.
• Press firmly: Really press the chocolate peanut butter mixture into your pan so the bars hold their shape. Otherwise, they might crumble when you try to cut them! A flat-bottomed glass or measuring cup works great for this.
• Chill, not freeze: A slow chill lets the oats absorb moisture from the wet ingredients, so you end up with soft, firm, but still chewy bars. Freezing won't make them set faster. It'll just give you a rock-hard block that'll fall apart once they thaw.
• Get creative: Try swirling in some jam or fruit preserves before chilling. Mix in crushed graham crackers, Oreos, fruit slices, nuts, pretzels, and other stuff you enjoy. A drizzle of melted chocolate on top of the bars also makes them look so fancy.
• Increase protein: Add some protein powder if you want to up the protein content of these no bake bars. Use casein or brown rice protein powder for the best results.

Why did my bars not set properly?

If your bars didn't set, it's likely that the bananas were too wet or the mixture wasn't pressed firmly enough. Make sure to mash the bananas well and press the mixture into the dish firmly to help it set. If it's still too soft, let them chill for a bit longer in the fridge.

How to Store Oatmeal Bars

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, here's how to store these no bake chocolate oat bars:

• To store: Cut the bars into individual servings and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in an airtight container.
• To freeze: These bars can also be frozen after setting and kept in the fridge for up to 2 months. Freeze in individual portions and wrap them in parchment paper to keep them from sticking.