These Healthy Peanut Butter Bars are loaded with natural peanut butter, rolled oats, roasted peanuts, and naturally sweetened with dates. They are topped with melted dark chocolate and a natural peanut butter mixture for a delicious chocolatey treat!
Making these Healthy Peanut Butter Bars is easy, no-bake, and requires only a few ingredients. They are perfect for a treat, sweet craving, or as a healthy snack without sugar and refined products.
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No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
If you love peanut butter, this recipe is a must-try! Let me tell you, I have made these bars with natural peanut butter and without adding sugar.
These healthy peanut butter bars quickly satisfy the sweet craving without consuming sugar or any processed food. I used dates to make the bars naturally and lightly sweet.
You can use creamy natural peanut butter with or without salt. If you use salted natural peanut butter, skip the salt from the recipe. Adding rolled oats makes the bars healthier and more delicious.
Peanut butter bars are further topped with melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture. The topping makes the bars chocolatey and adds more peanut butter flavor. I have also added some roughly chopped roasted peanuts to the mixture to provide some crunch.
In short, this recipe is healthy and delicious, using only a few ingredients. You can enjoy these energy bars before or after a workout or as a healthy snack in between meals.
Why You Will Love These Energy Bars
- These Healthy Peanut Butter Bars are made with natural peanut butter.
- I have used dates to provide natural sweetness and deliciousness.
- Oats make these energy bars healthier and more nutritious.
- The bars are loaded with peanut butter flavor and topped with melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture.
- These energy bars are free from processed ingredients and sugar but provide instant satisfaction.
Ingredients and Notes
- Peanut Butter: Use creamy and natural peanut butter for this recipe. I used unsalted peanut butter and added salt to elevate the flavors. But, if you use salted peanut butter, skip the salt from the recipe. We need peanut butter to make the bars’ base and the chocolate layer.
- Oats: For the best results, use large flake rolled oats. I have lightly toasted oats for these healthy peanut butter bars. Toasting the oats enhances the flavor, and I highly recommend not to skip this step. It will take only 5 minutes.
- Dates: When it comes to making energy balls or bars, my first choice is Medjool dates. They are large, soft, juicy, and easy to process.
- Salt: Skip it if you use salted natural peanut butter.
- Maple Syrup: If your mixture is soft and sticky but still crumbly and a little dry, add one or two tablespoon of maple syrup. If you do not want maple syrup, add a little more peanut butter to bring the mixture together.
- Chocolate Chips: I like to use dark or bittersweet chocolate chips to make a chocolate layer on top of energy bars. However, you can use your choice of chocolate chips or chunks.
How To Make Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
Making The Base
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over two sides.
- Lightly coat the parchment with oil spray.
- Soak the dates in hot water for 10-15 minutes, drain well, and set aside.
- While the dates are soaking, dry roast the oats on low-medium heat, stirring continuously, for about 4-5 minutes or until lightly toasted.
- Remove from the pan and allow them to cool completely.
- Add cooled oats to the food processor and process until they are coarsely ground.
- Add soaked and drained dates and process until the mixture clumps together.
- Then, add peanut butter and salt and process until everything is mixed well and the mixture clumps together like a dough.
- If the mixture looks dry and crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup.
- If you want to avoid adding maple syrup, add a bit more peanut butter.
- Finally, add peanuts and process for a few pulses until peanuts are evenly incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread evenly and firmly.
Topping The Bars
- Add chocolate chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second increments until chocolate chips are melted.
- Mix well to make a smooth mixture.
- Pour the melted chocolate peanut butter over the peanut butter base.
- Then, place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until the chocolate is set.
- Remove from the pan by lifting the overhanging parchment.
- Cut into bars or squares of desired size, and serve.
How To Store Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
- You can store the healthy peanut butter bars in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 8-10 days.
- But, if you want to keep them longer, freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for an extended period.
Recipe Tips
Rolled Oats: For the best outcome, I highly recommend dry roasting the oats. However, you can skip this step to quicken the process.
Dates: I always use Medjool dates for energy balls and bars. They are juicy, fruity, and easy to process. But if you use other types of dates, ensure to soak them in hot water until they become very soft.
Peanut Butter: For the healthy recipe, use natural peanut butter, which only contains peanuts or peanuts and salt. If using salted peanut butter, skip the salt from the recipe.
Troubleshoot For Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
My Peanut Butter Mixture Is Crumbly and Not Coming Together
If your peanut butter bar’s base mixture is crumbly and does not come together, add 1-2 tablespoon of maple syrup. You can also add honey. However, if you don’t want to add more sweetener, you can add 1-2 tablespoon of peanut butter. This problem may occur if you add fewer dates or if they are not soft and juicy enough. If you like, you can also add 1-2 teaspoon of water to bring the mixture together.
More Healthy Snacks
Recipe Card
Healthy Peanut Butter Bars (With Dates)
Ingredients
For The Base
- 200g Medjool dates (10-12 dates)
- ⅔ cup (60g) rolled oats
- 1 cup (250g) natural peanut butter
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1-2 tablespoon Maple syrup (only if needed)
- ½ cup dry-roasted peanuts
For The Topping
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¼ cup peanut butter
Instructions
Making The Base
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving extra hanging over two sides. Lightly coat the parchment with oil spray.
- Soak the dates in hot water for 10-15 minutes, drain well, and set aside.
- While the dates are soaking, dry roast the oats on low-medium heat, stirring continuously, for about 4-5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove from the pan and allow them to cool completely.
- Add cooled oats to the food processor and process until they are coarsely ground. Add soaked and drained dates and process until the mixture clumps together.
- Then, add peanut butter and salt and process until everything is mixed well and the mixture clumps together like a dough.
- If the mixture looks dry and crumbly, add 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup. If you want to avoid adding maple syrup, add a bit more peanut butter.
- Finally, add peanuts and process for a few pulses until peanuts are evenly incorporated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread evenly and firmly.
Topping The Bars
- Add chocolate chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 20-second increments until chocolate chips are melted. Mix well to make a smooth mixture.
- Pour the melted chocolate peanut butter over the peanut butter base. Then, place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until the chocolate is set.
- Remove from the pan by lifting the overhanging parchment. Cut into bars or squares of desired size, and serve.
Storing Suggestions
- The healthy peanut butter bars can be stored in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 8-10 days.
- You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe bag or container for an extended period.
Notes
- Rolled Oats: I highly recommend dry roasting the oats for the best outcome. However, you can skip this step to quicken the process.
- Dates: I always use Medjool dates for energy balls and bars. They are juicy, fruity, and easy to process. But if you use other types of dates, ensure to soak them in hot water until they become very soft.
- Peanut Butter: For a healthy recipe, use natural peanut butter containing only peanuts or peanuts and salt. If using salted peanut butter, skip the salt from the recipe.
Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think.