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.
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, 1/4 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 1/2 cup of extra quick-cooking oats in place of the almond meal.
Ground Flaxseed:You may substitute 1/2 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 1/4 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).