These simple 3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Squares can be thrown together in minutes. Use all natural/organic ingredients, if you prefer, for a healthier version! Either way, this oatmeal bar recipe is easy, delicious, and the best snack or dessert.
This recipe was originally posted in 2015. The images and recipe have been updated in 2021 to include tips and tricks based on reader feedback!
These 3 Ingredient No Bake Oat Squares Are Easy and Delicious!
Easy can not even describe these 3 Ingredient No Bake Oat Bars! I would say they’re simple to make, but “simple” is so over-used…by me especially…that I’m afraid you might not buy it. Regardless, they are the simplest, easiest, no brainiest bars ever to be.
There are literally 3 ingredients, no baking…only measuring. And you only have to measure 3 things, so…
PLUS, these Oat Bars are kinda-sorta not even that bad for you!
Oat Squares Quick and Healthy Snack Idea!
I know the word healthy is extremely overused, but the simplicity of the ingredients, plus the fiber and protein these contain make them a more healthful option in my house than a cookie. They’re a great option to have on hand for a snack or even a grab and go breakfast!
What Are the 3 Ingredients You Need?
- Old Fashioned Oats
- Peanut Butter
- Honey
Add-In Ideas:
The great thing abut this recipe is that while they are perfect in their 3 ingredient simplicity, you can also add in other ingredients for flavor or health benefits.
- Flax seeds. A tablespoon or two will add fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Coconut. 1/4 cup or so will add texture, flavor, and sweetness!
- Chocolate Chips. Peanut butter and chocolate are the perfect combo!
- Crunchy Peanut Butter. This will add texture when swapped out for creamy!
- Raisins or dried fruit. 1/2 cup would be delicious!
- Chia seeds. a few tablespoons will add high quality protein and antioxidants.
Tips for Making No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Squares
- If your honey isn’t brand new it might be a little crystallized, which makes it hard to pour. BUT heating honey weakens the ingredients rendering the health benefits ineffective…so if you’re just in it for the taste you can heat it a bit. But if you’re looking for the good stuff that comes along with honey, heating it might not be the option.
- Use Old Fashioned (or rolled oats). I find that they work for the texture and stability of these bars a little better. If you only have Quick oats on-hand, it will be fine, it’s just a texture thing.
- Use whatever kind of peanut butter you prefer! If you love Skippy, use it! If you like natural peanut butter, use that! It’s completely up to you!
Do You Need To Chill These Oatmeal Bars?
Chilling these bars is part of the process to aid in them setting and becoming firm. But do you need to store them int he refrigerator? You can! If you want your bars to stay extra firm, keep them chilled! If you allow them to come up to room temperature they will be softer, but also delicious!
Looking For More Oatmeal Bar Recipes? Try These!
- Salty Caramel Oat Bars
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Peanut Butter Passion Bars
- Salty Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Squares
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 20 squares 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These simple 3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Squares can be thrown together in minutes. Use all natural/organic ingredients, if you prefer, for a healthier version! Either way, this oatmeal bar recipe is easy, delicious, and the best snack or dessert.
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 3/4 cups rolled oats
Instructions
- Line an 8×8 pan with foil. Spray lightly with non-stick spray.
- Melt the peanut butter and honey together until smooth, either in the microwave or stove top. Combine mixture with oats.
- Press into prepared pan. Place in refrigerator until set. Cut into squares.
Notes
I like to store mine in the refrigerator because they can get a bit soft.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 148
- Sugar: 8.3 g
- Sodium: 55.3 mg
- Fat: 6.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Protein: 4.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: oat square recipe, energy bar recipe, peanut butter bar recipe, no bake oat square recipe, no bake dessert, no bake snack, easy dessert recipe few ingredients
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So easy and delicious. Peanut butter and honey is my favorite combination!
★★★★★
It was good to tide my kids over so I didn’t have to make cookies but I would be changing up my ratio of honey to PB. I used a natural PB that was a lot drier even when heated so needed compensation from the honey for a good moisture level. I added few rasins and 1/2c of sunflower seeds.
★★★
Yields 20 squares? You know how small those squares are when you make this in a 8″ x 8″ pan? I think it is reasonable to say it yields 9 squares.
We’ve been making something similar to this for close to forty years. It’s the perfect snack for hiking and backpacking because it really needs no refrigeration.
Our version adds powdered milk for a little added nutrition.
1 cup of peanut butter, 1 cup of honey, 2 cups of powdered milk, and 2 cups of uncooked oats. It’s easy to double or triple the amounts. We mix the ingredients in a gallon zip lock using our hands, and we carry it backpacking in the same bag.
I have made this mixture into balls, dipped them in caramel and then in melted chocolate for a decent, though high calorie, treat.
★★★★★
Milk is terrible for you lol. Its actually worse for your bones to drink milk than not. Stop believing dairy industry propaganda.
OMG! I used the base of this recipe, a little less honey and did some fun add ins!! I added cinnamon, chia seeds, ground flax and topped with chocolate! I’m pregnant so I try to pack nutrients when and where I can. These were Fantastic! I wish I could post a pic!
★★★★★
How long will these keep in the fridge for? The recipe looks yum! Excited to try 🙂
7 days 🙂
How much chia seed would you add?
I would add 1 -2 tablespoons!
So easy and delicious. I cut back on the oats a little to make the ingredients a bit easier to work with. Added sultanas. Will make again.
★★★★★
Could I use pure maple syrup in place of the honey?
I’m sure that would work!
You may not.