Oatmeal Bars Recipe inspired by Nature Valley’s soft baked bars, but even better homemade with a thick, chewy texture and rich peanut butter flavor.
author’s note
Homemade Oatmeal Bars That Beat the Box!
When I road tripped to California (DISNEY!!!) with my family a few years back, I grabbed a stash of snacks for the drive. One of them was Nature Valley’s® Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares.
I’m usually a traditional granola bar girl, but I was instantly hooked on how soft these were and how strong the peanut butter flavor was. I also couldn’t help thinking I could make them even better at home. Or at least with better ingredients 🙂.
After a little testing, I finally got it right, and honestly, I’m way more excited than I probably should be about this recipe. These bars turned out so much better than anything from the store.
I’m truly obsessed. Like best breakfast bar I’ve ever had and I don’t say that lightly. They’re soft, chewy, and taste like a cross between a peanut butter cookies and oatmeal, but they’re made with minimal refined sugar, no flour, and plenty of peanut butter to keep them filling with a boost of protein.
Oatmeal Bars Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient Group | Helpful Tip |
|---|---|
| Peanut Butter | Use creamy peanut butter for the smoothest texture and best binding. Avoid no-stir peanut butters since they can be inconsistent in baking. |
| Sweeteners | Honey adds chew and moisture while brown sugar boosts that classic soft baked flavor. |
| Oats and Oat Flour | Old fashioned oats give structure while oat flour keeps the bars tender. Measure oat flour after blending up the whole oats. |
| Egg and Vanilla | These help bind the bars and add richness. Make sure the egg is at room temp for easier mixing. |
| Peanut Butter Chips | This Oatmeal Bars recipe is easy to switch up by using semi sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips instead. |
Featured Comment
“These are so good! My family loves them and they never last in our house. Definitely recommend!”
– Lu
How To Make This Oatmeal Bars Recipe
- Prep pan: Heat oven to 325°F and line a pan with parchment, leaving an overhang.
- Mix batter: Beat until smooth, then gently fold in the chips.
- Bake: Spread evenly and bake until edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
- Cool: Let bars cool completely in the pan so they fully set.
- Slice: Lift out using the parchment and cut into bars.
The BEST Baking Pan!
My Favorite Pan
I swear by this 8 x 8-inch pan when baking. It’s made from heavy aluminized steel, which means heat spreads quickly and consistently so you don’t get burnt edges or underbaked centers. The corrugated bottom helps with airflow and release, so bars lift out clean and bake with the perfect texture.
Storage
Let bars cool completely, then wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap. Store at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 1 week.
More Easy Snack Recipes:
Oatmeal Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter (like Skippy)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour (blended oats) see note 2
- 1 cup peanut butter baking chips
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 325°F and line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Add all ingredients except the peanut butter chips to a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer until smooth, then gently fold in the chips with a spatula.
- Spread batter evenly in the pan and bake for 18 to 25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set with very little jiggle.
- Remove bars from the oven and let cool completely in the pan so they fully set.
- Optional: For extra peanut butter flavor, place 1/4 cup peanut butter in a small resealable bag, snip a small corner, and drizzle over the bars.
- Lift out using the parchment and cut into 16 bars with a sharp knife.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I haven’t had a nature valley bar in soooo long … I used to eat them all the time though!! I love that you made this recipe! So many good ingredients in here … and I can never ever ever turn down peanut butter : ) Happy friday friend!
I am obsessed with them. I think I have them almost daily haha! Thank you Ashley! 🙂
Yum, these look delicious! I love finding a good gluten free granola square/bar recipe!
They are my new go-to bar! Thanks Kelly 🙂
Okay, you’ve convinced me. I am going to make these and I’m sure they’ll be delicious. I like the Nature Valley ones, I’ve only tried the brown sugar oat ones but I would love to make them from scratch without all the preservatives. Thanks Chelsea! By the way, they look so delicious!
Thank you so much Jessica! Oh gosh the brown sugar ones are so good! Now I need to recreate those 🙂
These look amazingly scrumptious! So glad you finally nailed the recipe – I know how great that feels :). I can’t even tell you how excited I would be to have these for breakfast – can’t think of a better way to start the day!
Thank you Kathi! 🙂
Congrats on this awesome recipe, Chelsea!! I seriously eat nature valley oatmeal squares ALL THE TIME, but I will be making these bars this weekend because they look WAY better and I love that I can pronounce all the ingredients in them! Pinned : )
Omg I have them almost every day haha, they are so good! thanks Jenn and thanks for pinning 🙂
These look amazing, checking them out from freedom fridays and I pinned this! I also really, really love peanut butter, so these are perfect! 🙂
Cathy
Thank you so much Cathy! 🙂 PB is the best!
These looks fantastic! Pinning!
Thanks for the pin Anna! 🙂
I feel like I’ve pinned every last recipe you shared! need to get to work! I think it’s best to have a jar of peanut butter for baking and for eating! these are right up my alley. I love how there is very little sugar. my kiddo and I would eat these up!!
Chelsea, these look so perfect. Glad you were persistent even though it took a few tries to get them just how you wanted them. Can’t wait to make them!
Thank you so much Julie!
Oh my gosh! I actually love those soft baked oatmeal squares and I eat them at work. The cinnamon version is always sold out at my store, so I’m usually buying the PB ones. I cannot wait to try out your version that I know will be even better. Pinned!