• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Best Kitchen Gifts
    • Baby Registry List
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Cooking)
    • Food Photography Essentials
  • Instagram
JoyFoodSunshine
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laura
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Never Miss a Recipe

  • ×

    Home » Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars

    Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars

    Published: Mar 10, 2019 · Modified: Sep 26, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy peanut butter breakfast bars recipe is made in one bowl in 30 minutes, and is loaded with fiber, protein & omega-3s to keep you full all morning long! Plus they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free and vegan! I have eaten one every day for almost 15 years - it's my all-time favorite recipe.

    front view of a stack of four healthy breakfast bars

    When I decided to start this website in 2016, I knew right away that this would be my very first post. These Healthy Breakfast Bars have been my constant companion for the last 15 years are are, hands down, my favorite recipe of all time.

    These breakfast bars gave me energy through my career as a high school chemistry teacher. They helped me grow all the necessary parts of our very first tiny little human, and the second, and the third, and the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth.

    These healthy oatmeal breakfast bars sustained me as we moved across the country away form all our friends and family. Every night when my head hits the pillow and I close my eyes, I know one of these beauties will be waiting for me when I wake up. I love them. Truly I do.

    I mean, what's not to love? These breakfast bars are full of fiber, protein, potassium, omega-3s, and are SO delicious. They are gluten, dairy and refined sugar free, but they are hearty enough to keep you full for hours. And they're easy to make! To me, they are perfect.

    front view of a healthy breakfast bar

    Healthy Breakfast Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions 

    I get a lot of questions about possible substitutions for this breakfast bar recipe, so let's chat about them now! A great thing about this recipe is that it's fairly customizable.

    • Quick Cooking Oats. These breakfast bars have the best texture when they're made with quick cooking oats. However, you can use old-fashioned oats instead just understand they will be a little chewier with a more chunky texture. I have put rolled oats in the blender and pulsed 2-3 times to create the texture of quick-cooking oats when I ran out.
    • Almond flour/meal: I love putting almond meal in these breakfast bars for the added protein. If you are allergic to almonds you may substitute ½ cup of extra quick-cooking oats in place of the almond meal.
    • Ground Flaxseed: You may substitute ½ cup of almond meal or extra oats in place of the ground flaxseed.
    • Protein Powder: This is a completely optional ingredient! I love using Vanilla Protein Powder for a little flavor and protein boost, but you can omit it entirely if you don't keep this ingredient on hand!
    • Honey: Honey is my favorite liquid sweetener to use in this breakfast bar recipe, and pure maple syrup (which is a great vegan substitution), comes in a close second. Really, any liquid sweetener can be substituted for honey. You also may use an extra banana or an extra ¼ cup of applesauce instead if you'd prefer a less-sweet, sugar free option!
    • Peanut Butter:  I usually use two types of peanut butter when I make this recipe. For the bars themselves I use a natural creamy peanut butter. For the top I like to use a mixture of a natural peanut butter and one that is more firm. This is totally personal preference, I just like the way the top tastes with two different varieties! Feel free to substitute any creamy nut or seed butter of your choice, however peanut butter is my favorite!
    Overhead view of five healthy breakfast bars cut into squares

    How to make healthy Breakfast Bars 

    Since I have made this breakfast bar recipe every week for 15 years now, I'm pretty sure I could make them in my sleep! However, in order to be helpful I want to walk through all the steps in this recipe for you.

    Combine wet ingredients 

    To make these breakfast bars in one bowl, start by mashing the banana. I use a potato masher, but a fork would work as well.

    Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir until the mixture is uniform throughout!

    two overhead photos of mixing the wet ingredients together in this breakfast bars recipe

    Add the dry ingredients and mix

    Next, add all the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir to combine.

    As you can see, the final mixture should not be runny. It should be moist but not at all liquidy.

    Bake for 20 minutes

    This healthy breakfast bars recipe requires two sessions of baking. First, bake the breakfast bars naked (without any peanut butter on top) for 20 minutes.

    The top should be slightly firm when the breakfast bars are removed from the oven. Since all ovens are different your baking time may vary slightly. However, it is important that the top isn't mushy and that you can spread peanut butter around on it without it becoming a mess!

    overhead view of hands spreading the breakfast bar batter into a square pan with a white spatula before baking.

    Top with peanut butter

    After 20 minutes of baking, remove the oatmeal breakfast bars from the oven and spread a layer of peanut butter on top. The amount you use will depend on your taste.

    I enjoy a super thick layer of peanut butter, so I use about ¼ to ½ cup. Use as much or as little as you'd like!

    overhead view of hands spreading the peanut butter over partially baked breakfast bars

    Bake for an additional 10 minutes

    Return the breakfast bars topped with peanut butter to the oven for 10 more minutes. This step sets the peanut butter and finishes baking the bars.

    As you can see, the final product will have nice little sinkholes of peanut butter on top! YUM!

    overhead photo of breakfast bars after baking

    Chill overnight

    These breakfast bars are best served cold. I always make them the day before I want to eat them and let them cool in the refrigerator overnight.

    I have eaten them warm when I didn't have my act together and they're still good, but not as good if catch my drift!

    Cut & Enjoy

    Finally, once the breakfast bars have cooled in the pan overnight, cut them into squares and enjoy! Or you can cut them and save them for later! I always cut them into 9 breakfast bars, because it's the perfect size breakfast for me to enjoy with a green smoothie.

    breakfast bars being cut into 9 squares

    Store/freeze

    I make a large batch of these (sometimes a double batch) to eat all week long. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator (do not microwave).

    3 Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars with a cup of coffee in the background

    Recipe FAQs

    How do you store breakfast bars? 

    To store these breakfast bars, simply cut them and put them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you think it will be over a week before you finish them all, I recommend wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then putting them in an airtight container.

    How long do breakfast bars last? 

    If stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator these breakfast bars will last for up to one week!

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a 9x13" pan. You may need to bake them 5 minutes longer.

    a peanut butter breakfast bar on a plate with a bite taken out of it.

    If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations. Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Tag me in your photos #joyfoodsunshine @joyfoodsunshine Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below.

    Healthy Peanut Butter Breakfast Bars Recipe

    Laura
    This easy peanut butter breakfast bars recipe is made in one bowl in 30 minutes, and is loaded with fiber, protein & omega-3s to keep you full all morning long! Plus they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free and vegan! I have eaten one every day for almost 15 years - it's my all-time favorite recipe.
    4.96 from 66 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Chilling time 2 hrs
    Total Time 2 hrs 40 mins
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 Breakfast Bars
    Calories 247.1 kcal

    Equipment

    • glass batter bowl
    • spatula
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • 8x8" baking pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 ½ cup quick cooking oats can use old fashioned but they will be chewier
    • ½ cup almond meal
    • ½ cup flaxseed meal
    • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
    • ½ tsp sea salt
    • 2-4 TBS plant-based vanilla protein powder optional
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 2 bananas ripe and mashed
    • ½ cup applesauce
    • ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
    • 2 TBS honey or maple syrup for vegan option
    • More peanut butter for the top about ¼ cup
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 square baking dish
    • In a small bowl combine the dry ingredients (oats, almond meal, flaxseed, salt, cinnamon and protein powder if using), set aside. (alternately add the dry ingredients after mixing the wet ingredients). 
    • In a large bowl mash the banana. Add applesauce, honey, ¼ cup peanut butter and vanilla. Mix well.
    • Stir dry ingredients into wet until combined. Spread mixture into the pan (should be moist but NOT soupy).
    • Bake 20 minutes (should be slightly brown around the edges and top should be set), remove from oven and spread peanut butter over the top of the bars (I like a really thick layer of peanut butter but it’s to your own preference)
    • Continue baking for 10 minutes more or until firm and lightly browned around the edges. At this point the peanut butter layer will have tiny little bubbles in it.
    • Cool completely in the refrigerator and cut into 6 or 9 bars. Wrap each with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the fridge for a quick grab and go breakfast!

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions 

    • Quick Cooking Oats. These breakfast bars have the best texture when they're made with quick cooking oats. However, you can use old-fashioned oats instead just understand they will be a little chewier with a more chunky texture. I have put rolled oats in the blender and pulsed 2-3 times to create the texture of quick-cooking oats when I ran out.
    • Almond flour/meal: I love putting almond meal in these breakfast bars for the added protein. If you are allergic to almonds you may substitute ½ cup of extra quick-cooking oats in place of the almond meal.
    • Ground Flaxseed: You may substitute ½ cup of almond meal or extra oats in place of the ground flaxseed.
    • Protein Powder: This is a completely optional ingredient! I love using Vanilla Protein Powder for a little flavor and protein boost, but you can omit it entirely if you don't keep this ingredient on hand!
    • Honey: Honey is my favorite liquid sweetener to use in this breakfast bar recipe, and pure maple syrup (which is a great vegan substitution), comes in a close second. Really, any liquid sweetener can be substituted for honey. You also may use an extra banana or an extra ¼ cup of applesauce instead if you'd prefer a less-sweet, sugar free option!
    • Peanut Butter:  I usually use two types of peanut butter when I make this recipe. For the bars themselves I use a natural creamy peanut butter. For the top I like to use a mixture of a natural peanut butter and one that is more firm. This is totally personal preference, I just like the way the top tastes with two different varieties! Feel free to substitute any creamy nut or seed butter of your choice, however peanut butter is my favorite!

    Store/freeze

    I make a large batch of these (sometimes a double batch) to eat all week long. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly in the refrigerator (do not microwave).

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1barCalories: 247.1kcalCarbohydrates: 29.1gProtein: 11gFat: 12.2gPotassium: 113.7mgFiber: 7.9gSugar: 9.6gVitamin C: 3.7mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    I am a creature of habit. I eat one of these peanut butter oatmeal breakfast bars every.single.morning with my favorite green smoothie. People don't understand me. "Don't you get tired of eating the same thing?" They ask. "Wouldn't you rather mix it up?" They say.

    No, I don't believe I would. But I am grateful for your concern about my lack of breakfast-food variety.  

    I have tried mixing it up in the mornings, but it's no use. I find myself wishing I had just eaten one of these breakfast bars. So if it ain't broke I won't fix it and I'll just keep on keeping on.

    I mean, what's not to love?!, these breakfast bars are full of fiber, protein, potassium, omega-3s, and are SO delicious. They are gluten, dairy AND refined sugar free, but they are hearty enough to keep you full for hours. AND they're easy to make! To me, they are perfect.

    front view of a stack of two breakfast bars

    Dear breakfast bars, to me, you are perfect.

    Love, Laura.

    This recipe was originally published on January 26, 2016 as the first post on JoyFoodSunshine! It has been updated with new photos, a video and step-by-step instructions, but the recipe remains unchanged!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Healthy Chocolate Chip Muffins (Gluten-Free)
    Homemade Healthy Coffee Creamer »

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stephen Sullivan

      July 02, 2021 at 1:31 pm

      5 stars
      this is awesome as advertised. healthy daily breakfast bar. cool mix

      Reply
    2. Aliya

      June 20, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      Can we substitute something for the bananas? I do not like them at all but really want to try the recipe!

      Reply
    3. CeCe

      May 12, 2021 at 8:44 am

      5 stars
      Oh my! These are so good that even my meat eating hubs loved them!

      Reply
    4. avmsgp

      April 18, 2021 at 4:15 am

      5 stars
      I like this post wonderful thanks. for tasty recipes

      Reply
    5. Pam Tanner

      April 01, 2021 at 5:46 pm

      Can't wait to try these! Thank you for sharing!! Did you use sugar free applesauce or regular?

      Reply
      • Laura

        April 02, 2021 at 11:03 am

        Unsweetened! But either works.

        Reply
    6. Sandra

      February 21, 2021 at 7:21 pm

      Hi Laura,
      I have oat flour - can I substitute the quick oats and use oat flour? Would be a 1:1 substitution? Thanks in advance!

      Reply
      • Laura

        February 23, 2021 at 7:28 am

        I have not tried it - I imagine it'd work but you might need to add less.

        Reply
    7. farnoush

      February 20, 2021 at 4:14 pm

      absolutely amazing! best thing I ever ate. everything I’ve made from laura’s recipes ha turned out 100% perfection. the banana bread was out of this world. thank you

      Reply
    8. Jennah

      November 09, 2020 at 7:40 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you for this recipe it's absolutely delicious! I just made them with a little bit of dark chocolate chips swirled into the top layer of peanut butter... I'm not sure they will make it to the fridge. 🤤

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    Newer Comments »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

    Click here to read more >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
    • Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
    • Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)
    • Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
      Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang's)!

    Trending now

    • Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe
    • Healthy Pineapple Carrot Cake
    • The Best Banana Cake Recipe
    • Egg Casserole (Egg Bake)
    • Baked French Toast Casserole
    • Best Carrot Cake Recipe
      Best Carrot Cake Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Joy Food Sunshine Logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss a Recipe

    47149 shares
    • 1730