Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars with Crumble Topping: Your Go-To Guilt-Free Snack
There’s an undeniable magic in peanut butter, isn’t there? It transforms everything it touches into something truly special. If you’re yearning for a delightful dessert bar but also want to keep your health goals in mind, these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are an absolute game-changer. They deliver that irresistible, rich peanut butter flavor you crave, perfectly complemented by a sweet, crumbly topping. And for an extra touch of indulgence, a warm, melted peanut butter drizzle finishes them off beautifully – it’s a step you definitely won’t want to skip!
One of the best things about this recipe is how effortlessly it comes together with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Especially if you enjoy baking regularly, you’ll find most of these staples are already on hand. This means you can whip up a batch of these wholesome bars for an afternoon snack with minimal fuss. Prepare to be amazed by their simplicity and incredible taste!
Why These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Deserve a Spot in Your Kitchen
These bars aren’t just delicious; they offer a range of benefits that make them a smarter choice for your snack rotation. Here are three compelling reasons why you should make this recipe today:
They are a Deliciously Low-Calorie and Healthy Treat
While traditional peanut butter, in its deliciousness, can be quite calorie-dense (two tablespoons can contain around 16 grams of fat and 200 calories), these oatmeal bars offer a fantastic way to enjoy that beloved flavor in a much lighter form. Each bar is carefully crafted to deliver that satisfying peanut butter taste with significantly fewer calories and fat – typically around 7 grams of fat and under 150 calories per serving. It’s a truly guilt-free indulgence that allows you to satisfy your sweet tooth without derailing your healthy eating goals. Enjoy the rich, nutty flavor and comforting texture knowing you’re making a smarter choice.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Make a Fantastic After-School Snack
With school back in session, kids often come home with ravenous appetites. Instead of reaching for highly processed snacks loaded with sugar or unhealthy fats, imagine having a batch of these wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars ready for them. They provide sustained energy from oats, a good dose of protein from peanut butter, and just the right amount of natural sweetness. Parents can feel confident and happy offering a homemade snack that’s both nutritious and incredibly appealing to children. These bars are a win-win for both taste and health!
Crumble Bars are Such a Good Tea Time or Coffee Break Companion
Whether you’re a devout tea enthusiast or a dedicated coffee lover, these peanut butter oatmeal bars are the perfect accompaniment to your favorite hot beverage. Their comforting flavors and satisfying texture make them an ideal mid-morning pick-me-up or an afternoon treat to help you power through until lunch or dinner. They offer a moment of delicious calm in a busy day, serving as a healthy indulgence that won’t leave you feeling weighed down. Picture yourself unwinding with a warm cup and one of these delightful bars – pure bliss!
Essential Ingredients for Your Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Gathering your ingredients for these delicious bars is straightforward, as most are common pantry staples. The recipe utilizes everyday items to create a surprisingly flavorful and healthy treat. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (acts as a natural sweetener and moistener, reducing the need for excess fat)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (for a touch of rich, molasses-like sweetness)
- 1 egg (a binding agent that helps the bars hold their shape)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (enhances all the flavors)
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (the star ingredient, providing rich flavor and protein)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (provides structure to the bars)
- 1 cup oats (*quick oats are recommended for a softer texture, but old-fashioned oats can also be used for more chewiness)
- 1 tsp baking powder (helps the bars rise slightly)
- 1/2 tsp baking soda (works with the applesauce to create a tender crumb)
FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING, you’ll need just a few more items to create that irresistible crunchy layer:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp light butter (softened)
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these delightful bars is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these easy steps to bake a batch of your own wholesome peanut butter oatmeal treats:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9-inch square baking dish by lightly spraying it with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the bars later.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the unsweetened apple sauce and 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Using an electric mixer, beat these ingredients together until well combined. Next, crack in the egg and mix thoroughly until it’s fully incorporated. Finally, add the 1/3 cup of peanut butter and the vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the batter is smooth and all ingredients are evenly blended.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients: the flour, oats, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix just until everything is combined; be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough bars.
- Pour the prepared batter evenly into your greased baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it smoothly from edge to edge.
- Now, prepare the delightful crumble topping. In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and 1 tablespoon of softened light butter. To achieve the perfect crumbly texture, I find that using two knives to “cut” the butter into the dry ingredients works wonderfully, similar to how you would make pie crust. Alternatively, a fork can also be used to mash and combine the mixture until a coarse, crumbly texture forms.
- Generously sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the top of the batter in the baking dish. Once topped, place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- After baking, remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the dish on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly before cutting. Once fully cooled, cut them into 12 equal peanut butter oatmeal bars.
This recipe yields 12 delicious bars. For nutritional information per bar: Calories 148, Fat 7 g, Saturated fat 1.2 g, Carbs 18 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Sugars 5 g, Sodium 151 mg, Protein 5 g. These figures make them a sensible choice for a balanced snack.
Weight Watchers (WW) Points Breakdown
For those tracking with Weight Watchers, these bars are a fantastic option! Here’s a detailed breakdown of the points for the main ingredients and for the final product, helping you make informed choices:
- Unsweetened apple sauce: 0 points
- Brown sugar: 10 points (for the amount in the base)
- Egg: 0 points
- Vanilla extract: 0 points
- Peanut butter: 17 points (for the amount in the base)
- All-purpose flour: 10 points (for the amount in the base)
- Quick cooking oats: 7 points
- Baking powder: 0 points
- Baking soda: 0 points
For the CRUMBLE TOPPING:
- All-purpose flour: 3 points
- Brown sugar: 10 points
- Peanut butter: 7 points
- Light butter: 4 points
Based on the WW app recipe creator, each serving of these delicious peanut butter oatmeal bars comes out to approximately 6 points. This makes them a great option for satisfying your cravings while staying on track with your points budget.
If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below for reference:
Personal Points: 4-5, depending on your individual 0PP (Zero Personal Points) foods.
Smart Points (Blue & Green Plans): 5 points, as calculated using the WW recipe builder.
Smart Points (Purple Plan): 4 points, calculated using the WW recipe builder, often lower due to more zero-point foods on this plan.
Points Plus: 4 points, calculated using the PP calculator.
Creative Ways to Customize and Change Up This Recipe
These peanut butter oatmeal bars are wonderfully versatile, allowing for easy modifications to suit different dietary needs or taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make them your own!
- For a Nut-Free Version: If you need to make these bars suitable for nut allergies or for school lunchboxes, simply swap out the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter (like SunButter). It offers a similar creamy texture and nutty flavor, making it a delicious and school-friendly alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Reduce Points with PB2 Powder: To significantly lower the Weight Watchers points, you can use PB2 powdered peanut butter. For the main recipe, substitute the 1/3 cup peanut butter with 6 tablespoons of PB2 powder mixed with water to achieve a thick, spreadable consistency. For the crumble topping, use 2 tablespoons of PB2 powder also mixed with water. This modification can bring the points per bar down to just 4 points, making them even lighter.
- Add a Chocolatey Twist: For an irresistible peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip bar, stir in a handful of Lily’s No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate Chips into the batter before baking. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is a classic for a reason, and Lily’s offers a guilt-free way to enjoy it.
- Easily Make Them Gluten-Free: Adapting these bars to be gluten-free is incredibly simple. Just replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free flour blend. It’s important to use a blend designed for baking, as single-ingredient flours like almond flour can significantly alter the texture and potentially increase the Weight Watchers points. A good quality gluten-free blend will yield excellent results without changing the nutritional profile drastically.
- Experiment with Other Nut Butters: While peanut butter is the star, feel free to substitute it with other nut butters such as almond butter, cashew butter, or even a mixed nut butter. Each will impart its unique flavor profile, but they generally bake similarly, giving you flexibility based on your personal taste preferences or what you have on hand.
- Alternate Fruit Puree Options: If you don’t have unsweetened applesauce, you can substitute it with an equal amount of pumpkin puree or mashed ripe banana. These alternatives will introduce subtle changes to the flavor profile, but in a delicious way. Bananas, especially, pair exceptionally well with peanut butter and oats, creating a wonderfully complementary taste.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
To ensure your peanut butter oatmeal bars turn out absolutely perfect every time, and to keep them fresh and delicious, consider these helpful tips and tricks:
- Don’t Skip the Drizzle: For an extra layer of flavor and a beautiful presentation, I highly recommend melting a small amount of peanut butter and drizzling it over the cooled, baked bars. You can do this over the entire batch before cutting, or individually drizzle each bar just before serving. It adds an amazing finishing touch that elevates the experience.
- PB2 for Drizzling: If you’re looking to keep the drizzle lighter on points, use PB2 powder mixed with a little water to create a thin, drizzly consistency. It offers all the peanut butter flavor without the added fat and calories of traditional peanut butter.
- Freezing for Future Enjoyment: These bars freeze exceptionally well, making them perfect for meal prep or having a healthy snack on hand whenever a craving strikes. Once completely cooled, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply let a bar sit at room temperature on the counter for a few hours, or warm it gently in the microwave for a few seconds.
- Optimal Storage: For everyday enjoyment, store your peanut butter oatmeal bars in a tightly sealed airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you prefer them chilled or want to extend their freshness a bit longer, they can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Similar Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed these wholesome peanut butter oatmeal bars, you might also like to explore these other delicious and health-conscious recipes that share similar comforting flavors or dietary considerations:
- Peanut Butter Donuts: Dive into another peanut butter delight with these flavorful donuts.
- 20+ Whole30 Desserts to Indulge Guilt-Free: Explore a collection of desserts that are both delicious and compliant with Whole30 guidelines.
- No Dairy Cupcakes (Bursting with Banana Flavor!): If you’re looking for another healthy and flavorful treat, these dairy-free banana cupcakes are a must-try.
Peanut butter crumble oatmeal bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1 cup oats *I used quick oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- FOR THE CRUMBLE TOPPING
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp light butter, softened
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350F and spray a 9 inch square dish with some cooking spray.
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In a bowl using an electric mixer mix together the apple sauce and 1/4 cup of brown sugar, add in the egg and mix well, then add in the peanut butter and vanilla and mix till well blended.
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Stir in the flour, oats, baking powder and soda.
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Pour batter into the baking dish and spread out evenly.
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In a small bowl mix together the crumble ingredinets, flour, brown sugar, peanut butter and butter. I find using a few knives and cutting it (like you would cold butter into flour) works well to form the crumble texture you want.
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Sprinkle on top of the batter then bake in the oven for 30 minutes.
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Let cool then cut into 12 equal bars.
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*Optional to melt and drizzle a little peanut butter on top, I highly recommend this and you can do it over the whole thing or just per bar when you are ready to eat one.
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These bars store well in a sealed container and after a day or two I put them in the fridge.
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*Note- You could probably substitute with PB2 in wet form although I have not tried so I can’t give an honest answer to if they will turn out the same.
Notes
Smart points- Blue & Green- 5 using WW recipe builder
Smart points- Purple- 4 using WW recipe builder
Points Plus- 4 using PP calculator
Nutritional info per bar.. Calories 144…Fat 5g…Sat fat 0.9g…Carbs 22g…Fiber 1.6g…Sugar 7g…protein 4.3g using My Fitness Pal *Note- includes all ingredients