No-bake peanut butter coconut bars come together with just 8 pantry ingredients including oatmeal! They’re naturally sweetened with honey, loaded with the best delicious peanut butter flavor, and are a hit with adults and kids alike. You’ll want to keep these no-bake peanut butter bars on hand for a quick afternoon snack or to pack in a lunch box!
Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Coconut Oatmeal Bars
I first started making these bars shortly after having my first baby back in 2012. They were the perfect easy-to-grab snack between nursing sessions. I loved how quickly they came together and also just how delicious they tasted.
And all that time later we still love them!
Because they are so easy, my kids make them with me too!
They’re great to make with toddlers because there’s a whole lot of easy ingredient scooping.
They’re also wonderful to make with bigger kids because they can mix at the stovetop and make them on their own!
No matter whole makes them, it’s an easy one you’ll want to add to your no-bake recipes list!
Why you’ll love this kid-friendly recipe
Wholesome ingredients – You’ll feel good serving this tasty snack as a healthy dessert, or a meal prep no-bake snack after you look at the ingredient list! Sweetened with honey, and loaded with peanut butter, coconut oil, and rolled oats, these pantry ingredients are energizing, nourishing, and filled with lots of healthy fats.
Budget-friendly – Buying individual snacks and granola bars can get costly, especially when you’re feeding a big family. These delicious bars are a great alternative to that, plus, you can double or triple the batch and make a whole lot of bars to have ready when hungry kids go looking for a grab-and-go snack!
Peanut buttery – If you’re a peanut butter lover you will quickly become obsessed with these bars!
Simple ingredients you’ll need for these peanut butter no bake bars
Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.
- natural peanut butter
- honey
- coconut oil
- vanilla extract
- rolled oats
- unsweetened shredded coconut
- cinnamon
- sea salt
How to make peanut butter coconut oatmeal bars
Step 1: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat add the creamy peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. Heat the wet ingredients until everything is melted together, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
Step 2: Line a loaf pan with parchment paper (or use a silicone loaf pan), and add the oat mixture to the prepared pan. Smooth mixture on the top. Place in the fridge to set.
Step 3: Once the bars are fully chilled and hardened, cut into 8 pieces, and enjoy! If they are out on the counter at room temperature or in a warm environment for a long time they will soften slightly due to the high coconut oil content.
How to store
This peanut butter granola bar recipe should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. They will last longer than most bars – up to 2 weeks if this delicious treat lasts that long!
You can also freeze them! Once cut, add to a freezer bag, label and date it, and keep frozen for up to 6 months.
Can you double this recipe?
Yes, absolutely! If you double the ingredient amounts, use a square pan instead of a loaf pan.
If you want to make an extra large 3x or 4x recipe, use a large rectangular baking pan to chill the bars in.
Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments
Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this peanut butter cookie bars recipe.
If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!
Peanut butter – Crunchy peanut butter works great in this recipe too a gives a nice crunchy peanuts addition to the texture. Almond butter or cashew butter are delicious here too! If you need a nut-free option, try sunflower seed butter or tahini.
Honey – Maple syrup and agave nectar are both good substitutions.
Coconut oil – Coconut butter is a good alternative to coconut oil.
Rolled oats – You can use quick oats in place of rolled oats in this recipe.
Unsweetened coconut – Larger coconut flakes will work in place of shredded coconut, however, they don’t mix quite as well for a smooth bar. I do not suggest sweetened coconut as it will make the bars too sweet. Don’t have coconut on hand? Try sunflower seeds or dark chocolate chips!
More homemade snacks you’ll love:
- Peanut butter fig bars
- Peanut butter cookie dough balls with chocolate chips
- Chocolate covered strawberry protein balls
- Chocolate hazelnut almond pulp energy balls
- Mini almond butter fudge cups
- Jelly bars with peanuts and oats
- Egg white protein bar recipe
- Apple pie protein bar recipe
Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Coconut Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat add the creamy peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. Heat the wet ingredients until everything is melted together, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Line a loaf pan with parchment paper (or use a silicone loaf pan), and add the oat mixture to the prepared pan. Smooth mixture on the top. Place in the fridge to set.
- Once the bars are fully chilled and hardened, cut into 8 pieces, and enjoy! If they are out on the counter at room temperature or in a warm environment for a long time they will soften slightly due to the high coconut oil content.
Nutrition
If you try this peanut butter coconut bars recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
Originally published in June 2012. Updated March 2024.
33 comments
Yum, these look great Heather! Thanks for sharing! Grab and go snacks are a must have for mom’s with babies! I can’t wait to give these a try! I have all the ingredients on hand! Yay!
these look easy enough and incredibly yummy! i can always count on you for delicious dessert-like recipes. 🙂
It is amazing how much your time shifts when you have a baby! He is so darn cute! Glad you were able to get some kitchen time in- so relaxing!And they look yummy
Kitchen time is one of the best times!
These are so simple! And I bet they taste fantastic–great flavor profile there.
They are aaamazing
Oohhh… Love these! So easy and they look amazing.
Thanks Carly!
These look great and what a bonus that they are no-bake!
Yup they can be whipped up in no time!
Is there a coconut oil sub that would be good?
I too love no bake stuff. When I was on maternity leave my favorite was some peanut butter cookie dough balls that I got from (never)home maker. I made them so much that I needed a break from them for awhile. Currently my go-to snack is peanut butter protein bars from concrete runner.
I loved being in the kitchen when my son was newborn (I still do – he is just more active now at 10 months old) – he would just hang out in his bouncy seat and we’d talk and sing until he’d fall asleep.
The coconut oil hardens when cold, so you could sub in butter which would act similarly. I wouldn’t sub in a different oil since it would be a lot softer and might not keep its form.
Ohhh, these no bake oat bars look yummy! I have to give them a try!
I NEVER watch TV! I’m always on my ipad though, and the only time i really get to sit down is when im nursing, so it’s a good excuse to make myself stop and take a break. those no bake squares look great, I really need to make something like that right now, Ive been craving some sort of no bakes lately!
These look GREAT! Pinning and will be making for sure.
Hope you like them Elle!!
These look quick and easy, love it!
Need to try these this wknd…. 🙂
These are delicious!! I will definitely be making them again. They didn’t seem to stick together and they fell apart easily. However, still very tasty! Do you have any suggestions on how to make them less crumbly? Do you heat the peanut butter, coconut oil, etc. to a certain temperature?
Ooops, more time in the refrigerator was all that was needed. So good!!!
That was going to be my suggestion. Glad you liked them!!
Oh my gosh. What a simple and delicious recipe!!! 😀
Maybe im being very thick but i cant get them to stick together at all! Do you fridge them then mold? Im not too upset bc its totally delish all warm anyways haha i know this is an old post but do you have a suggestion?
I just made a variation this weekend and yes, the fridge helps them set up perfectly! Heat from a warm makes the coconut oil soft.
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Hello! I have everything to make these bars except for honey. I would love to meal prep then to take for afternoon snacks at work. Would maple syrup work as a replacement, or is that not sticky enough to hold them together? Thank you in advance!
Hi Sophie! Yes, you definitely could sub in maple syrup! The coconut oil is what keeps them together as they cool. Let me know how they turn out for you!
Hi Heather! Thank you so much for your prompt response! I will make these with maple syrup and report back to you. Thanks again!
Awesome!
We are all obsessed with these bars! My kids ask for them all the time and I love how easy the are to make. Thanks for the great recipe, Heather!
These are the best! They are our go to no bake snack! kdis love it for breakfast or for snack and I love that its all ingredients I typically have on hand. Thanks Heather!
Woohoo, so glad you guys love them! Thanks for coming here and letting me know, I appreciate it!