These Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars are perfect as a healthy snack or for breakfast. Chewy and peanut buttery, this is how to make granola bars at home. Easy and healthy recipe!

It was late in the morning and we just landed in Edinburgh. As it was our first time there, we were excited for our trip. And hungry. We had breakfast at 3 am and food in in the plane was too expensive (I miss the old days when airlines would treat their passengers with free snacks also on short flights). So, after leaving the airport, we headed off straight to the closest Sainsbury's. We both got a snack bar for our way to the Airbnb.

That was the first time I had a granola bar. And I liked it, I liked a lot. But I knew could do better. At a much lower price, with fewer ingredients and with much better nutritional values. 

Back home from Edinburg, I put my Scottish oats to use and made these healthy oatmeal chocolate chip bars. The easiest and healthiest homemade granola bars ever!

Are oatmeal bars healthy?

Homemade oatmeal peanut butter bars are a healthier alternative to the ones you buy. However, for oat bars to be healthy you should be following the right recipe. Like this one here!

My oatmeal chocolate chip bars are made only with nutritious ingredients: bananas, rolled oats, peanut butter, maple syrup and dark chocolate.

• Bananas contain essential nutrients like potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C.
• Oats are a great source of dietary fibers, vitamins and minerals such as iron and magnesium.
• Peanut butter is a protein-packed source of healthy fats, fibers, vitamin E and minerals.
• Pure maple syrup is a less processed alternative to refined sugars.
• Extra dark chocolate, unlike milk or white chocolate, is surprisingly good for you (in moderation). It is rich in minerals and antioxidants.

Why you will love these oatmeal cookie bars?

The chewy texture of these oat bars will get you hooked at first bite.

This is hands down one of my favorite recipes ever. Here at home we now bake oatmeal chocolate chip bars every week. And I bet you will join the crew, making your own granola bars. Still not convinced? Let me tell you why this is going to become your new baking obsession.

• Making oatmeal chocolate chip bars is quick and simple. They come together in a bowl with just a handful of basic ingredients.
• Unlike other recipes, my granola bars are healthy and nutritious. Without refined sugars, flour or butter, these oat snacks are packed with fibers, vitamins and nutrients.
• These peanut butter oatmeal bars are dairy-free and vegan. No need for milk, butter or eggs.
• These oatmeal chocolate chip bars taste better than the ones you buy. They are chewy, peanut buttery and loaded with gooey chocolate chips.
• Homemade oatmeal bars are a cheap and sustainable recipe. Made with basic ingredients, it’s a budget-friendly way to use up some ripe bananas. 
• Oatmeal chocolate chip bars come in very handy for many occasions. They’re perfect for snacks, breakfasts and even desserts.

The ingredients

This recipe only calls for a handful of simple ingredients, I bet you already have everything in your pantry. So, without further ado, let’s see all you need to make healthy oatmeal chocolate chip bars at home.

• Bananas: Use ripe bananas, overripe if you have some on hand. The riper the bananas, the sweeter your cereal bars. 
• Rolled oats: For the best oatmeal chocolate chip bars, I recommend rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats). Make sure you use gluten-free oats if necessary. Although also quick oats work, the texture of your bars won’t be the same.  
• Peanut butter: I suggest using creamy peanut butter, unsalted or slightly salted. For healthier bars, pick natural peanut butter without added sugar, oils or preservatives.
• Maple syrup: After bananas, this is going to be the second source of sweetness. I like baking with maple syrup because it is a healthier and less processed alternative to sugar. 
• Vanilla extract: This adds a great flavor to your chocolate chip oat bars.
• Chocolate chips: For healthier granola bars, this recipe uses extra dark chocolate chips. Feel free to replace with milk chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips or sugar-free chocolate chips. Also chocolate chunks are great.
• Salt: A pinch of salts balances the sweetness and enhances all flavors. You can omit if the peanut butter already contains salt.

Substitutions

Here are some ways how you can substitute the main ingredients and adapt this recipe to your needs.

• If you don't like bananas, replace with about 1 cup (or 220 grams) of unsweetened applesauce.
• Substitute peanut butter with your favorite nut butter or seed butter if allergic to nuts. Great options are almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter and tahini.
• Replace maple syrup with any liquid sweetener you have on hand. Honey, agave syrup, date syrup and coconut syrup are awesome alternatives.
• If making oatmeal chocolate chip bars with salted peanut butter, you can skip the additional salt.

Recipe variations

One recipe, endless opportunities. If you easily get bored of eating the same things, I got your back. Here are a couple of ways how you can customize this oatmeal chocolate chip bar recipe.

• Walnut oatmeal bars: Stir crushed walnuts or pecans into your dough.
• Blueberry oat bars: Add some freshness with a handful of juicy blueberries.
• Banana bread bars: Omit the chocolate chips and flavor your dough with about 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• Oatmeal raisin cookie bars: Stir some raisins into the dough.
• Cranberry oat bars: Tired of raisins? Go for cranberries instead.
• White chocolate granola bars: Substitute dark chocolate with white chocolate chips.
• Nut-free chocolate chip bars: Instead of peanut butter, use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
• High protein oat bars: Replace part of the oats with protein powder (keep on reading for more details).

Chocolate chip bars with protein powder

For a more balanced recipe, you can add protein powder and make high protein chocolate chip oat bars. As simple as that, all you have to do is replacing 30 grams (or ⅓ cup) of the oats with protein powder. 

However, you should keep in mind that different types of protein powder have different properties. Thus, this recipe may require some adaptations.

• Vegan protein powder and casein are more absorbent: The oat dough may need a pour of milk if it is too thick. 
• Whey protein powder mixes very well and dissolves easily: You may need more oats.

For this recipe, my recommendations are vanilla and unflavored protein powder. As they are simple, they won't spoil the taste of your bars.

And if you are still looking for high protein oatmeal bars, check out this recipe here! It is very similar to this one, but it will tell you how to make high protein oatmeal bars at home. In 3 different versions: peanut butter chocolate chips, brownie and Raffaello!

How to make oatmeal chocolate chip bars

• Combine the wet ingredients. Start by mashing the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl. Add the peanut butter, the maple syrup, the vanilla extract and a pinch salt to the mashed bananas. Stir well until the mixture gets smooth.
• Make the oatmeal dough. Add the rolled oats and the chocolate chips to the wet dough. Mix to get a dough.

• Bake the granola bars. Transfer the dough to a prepared baking dish and sprinkle with more chocolate chips on top. Bake in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes and let cool at room temperature before slicing into bars.

How to store homemade oat bars

After baking, let your oat bars cool and slice. When completely cooled, add the bars to a food container and cover with a lid so that they won’t absorb humidity. At room temperature, they will last for up to 3 days.

Homemade oatmeal bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months. For an optimal storage, let cool and then seal the bars into a freezer safe container or in zipping bags. Before serving, remove from the freezer and heat them up in hot oven.

When to eat peanut butter oatmeal bars

Homemade oatmeal granola bars are a versatile recipe for any occasion. They are perfect as a snack for the office or for school, but they're also great as a dessert. And if you are always in a rush, try them as a grab-and-go breakfast.

My tip is to side your oat bars with a bowl of Greek yogurt and some fruit. This will give you a more satisfying meal with plenty of protein and nutrients.

More healthy desserts with oats

• Strawberry oatmeal bars
• Blueberry oatmeal cookies
• No bake chocolate oatmeal cookies
• Oatmeal protein cookies
• Healthy cookie dough oat bites
• 3 ingredient breakfast cookies

Watch the video recipe