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
Want To Save This Recipe?
Find more recipes like this:
Other 3 Ingredient No Bake Recipes
- Key Lime Pie Dip…3 Ingredients AND it’s Fat Free!
PIN for later:
i just made these! I cut a few calories by using PB fit peanut butter powder. I also subbed honey for maple syrup, and threw in grain sweetened chocolate chips for a suprise! Can’t wait to enjoy!
The PB fit cuts the calories dramatically. It’s 55 calories for 2 Tbsp. vs. 180 for 2 Tbsp.
great to know!!
I just had to come back here and thank you for this post! This are soo delicious and so easy to make! I used organic natural peanutbutter and got the crunchy kind to add a little crunch to it. I call them my healthier version of no-bake cookies (which are my absolute fave)! I will definitely be bringing these instead to Thanksgiving this year! I can’t wait to try different toppings!
Thank you thank you!
These are awesome and I followed the recipe exact, but after awhile the creative side of me wanted to satisfy my chocolate or mocha craving with these bars.
I made the bars exact but cut recipe in third and used a little square corning ware dish with wax paper crossed over the dish then sprayed with a little cooking spray (Made clean up and cutting easier for me.) There is only one person that eats this and well I rather make it fresh in smaller portion.
Now for the top: I make coffee cone drip in the morning. Just re-use the coffee grounds again by having another cup handy. Add a little more coffee ground, then drip about 2-3 tablespoons of water over the grounds and into handy cup. Pour from handy cup over grounds into another handy cup again about 3-5 times to make extra strong coffee; switching cups.
Now melt chocolate chips about .5 cup, a good tablespoon of your favorite chocolate nut butter, and a slight table spoon of the strong coffee you made that morning at room temperature with a dash of salt. Mixture should sheet off spoon not run for the hills (Practice as it took me a few times.)
Pour over the top of setup oat and peanut butter mixture and spread smooth. Put some fine chopped peanut or any nut that makes you happy sprinkled over top.
Put in fridge to set up I usually go about 3 hours before cutting into squares.
PS>>> Add some coconut to peanut butter mixture for an added texture punch. And for the naughty side instead of coffee add Kaluah or brandy.
This is a hearty foundation treat; but with a little imagination and a drive to satisfy a craving this can be changed up and made different. Does not work the first time try again and make adjustments. I have added dried apricot/cranberry/blueberry; basically any kind of dried fruit even mashed banana for a froggy I want to be healthy nut for the day.
Let the imagination go wild. Do follow recipe exact a few times and get the feel of how the mixture is suppose to be; then go from there with change ups. Oh!!! add a bit of cinnamon or dried mint; and try rosemary for a packing big Wow I cannot believe this came out. Actually I made a mistake thinking rosemary was mint…can we say we getting a little old.
Wishing a warm and safe summer to all.
The “Z”
I didn’t have honey so I substituted with real maple sugar. YUMMY!
I’ve been looking for a replacement for our morning cereal bars… something high in calories, but full of nutrition. Using your recipe as a base, I think I have something great I can work with! We only use the organic peanut butter that is peanuts and salt, so I added a little bit of coconut oil to the pb/honey mixture to compensate for that natural dryness. I also added 3 Tbsp of coconut flakes and 2 Tbsp of Chia seeds and about 1/4 cup of dehydrated banana chips (and subtracted half a cup of oats to allow for the extra dry ingredients). It was hard to glue it all together, so I think I’ll need a bit more pb next time, but overall, it’s a hit. It is VERY dense, so a little square is more than enough. I am looking forward to experimenting with some other add-ins! My four and 3 year olds loved it. I’m wondering if there’s a good way to add jam/preserves… to give it a PB&J type of flavor… I’ll try some experiments!
These look easy and delicious…however, I’m wondering if I ca substitute the peanut butter for almond butter? (I’m allergic to peanuts, but I can almonds). Thanks!
I am sure it would work fine with any type of Nut Butter!
First of all for the peanut butter oatmeal and honey you can’t use 3 cups of oats with one cup of peanut products you have to use 3 cups of oats 3 cups of peanut butter so the woman either doesn’t know what she’s talking about why she put the wrong information because one cup of peanut butter won’t even cover half of it I had a double it and I had to use 3 1/2 cups of peanut butter 3 cups of oats in on was the couple
Hi Lisa,
Have you made the recipe and this is what you found, or is this just a guess based on reading the recipe? I make these bars a lot and have never had any issue. If you are using a brand of peanut butter that is drier, you certainly could add a bit more to compensate for that…but the measurements are correct based on my experiences and also based on many others who have made the recipe as written with great results.
I just made this, but put the honey p-nut butter mixture in the microwave for about 50 secs, 40 would of been just fine.
Just made the 3 ingredient no bake peanut butter bars – so easy! I made it with chunky p-nut butter and added Craisins and some flaxseed. It is awesome!
I only consume natural peanut butter which is what I used to make them. Delicious but will use less oatmeal next time so they won’t crumble so easily.