Healthy oatmeal bars, peanut butter stuffed oatmeal bars 1 — PIN
FOR LATER

You’ve had peanut butter bars and you’ve had oatmeal bars, but I bet you’ve never had peanut butter stuffed oatmeal bars!

Currently crushing on peanut butter, I must confess. This tends to hit me in waves: There are seasons when I can’t keep my spoon out of the PB jar and seasons where I forget peanut butter is even an option.

But because my peanut butter craving is at an all-time high, I’m prepared to say this is one my favorite treats I’ve ever made!

A few reasons these oatmeal stuffed peanut butter bars are amazing:

I mean, anytime oats meet peanut butter—I die
We’ve snuck some extra protein and fiber into the recipe but they’re sooo undetectable.
Fiber comes from oats, of course, and the addition of ground flaxseed in the filling.
Protein comes from peanut butter and some undetectable collagen powder.
It’s a no-bake recipe! Winning.
And these bars are freezer-friendly OR they can live in your fridge up to six days while you chip away at them!

What’s Inside Peanut Butter Stuffed Oatmeal Bars

So: You think you’re eating delectable, Reeses-texture peanut butter filling, but it’s chock-full of extra protein and fiber that you can’t even detect.

First, we’ve added in a couple tablespoons of flax seed powder to obtain that more crumbly texture (think Reeses PB cup!)

While we’re sneaking stuff in, why not collagen too? Collagen powder is flavorless, dissolves easily, and offers up a bunch of protein, so you know I dissolved a couple spoonfuls in.

The oat base is pretty simple: Just quick oats coated in some butter (drool). I have not tried coconut oil as a butter substitute but I suspect that you could make this swap but you would want to add a pinch of salt if you’re going to swap butter.

Overall, these are the cozy, crumbly, peanut buttery treat of my dreams. I made one batch last week but we might just do a repeat this Sunday!

As always, I love seeing you guys preppin’ food and taking names. If you make these oat bars (or any of my other meal prep recipes), let me see! Tag me (@whatsformealprep) in your photos or send me a message.

macros

Log in MyFitnessPal

Peanut Butter
Stuffed

oatmeal bars

Makes 8 bars

Oatmeal Base

½ cup unsalted butter
2 ½ cups quick cooking oats (GF if needed)
8 x 8 baking dish & parchment/wax paper

Peanut Butter Filling

3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup coconut sugar (or sub Lakanto syrup for lower sugar content)
1/3 cup ground flaxseed meal
½ cup collagen powder OR your favorite unflavored/vanilla protein powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Start with the peanut butter base: In a saucepan over low heat, add peanut butter. Once warm and thinned down, add in coconut sugar or syrup, flaxseed, collagen, and vanilla, then stir until combined. It should form a paste texture. Remove peanut butter layer from heat and set aside.
For the oatmeal base: In a saucepan, melt butter then add oatmeal and coat.
Bring it together: Use half of the oatmeal mixture as a base for the bars. Into an 8x8 baking dish lined with wax paper, coat the base with oats and press them down well.
Use a spoon to drop the peanut butter filling in small, even spoonfuls. The less spreading you have to do, the better.
Complete the bars by layering the remainder of the oats on top and pressing it into the peanut butter.
Chill bars in the fridge at least two hours before slicing.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Peanut Butter Stuffed Oatmeal Bars can live in your fridge up to seven days or can be wrapped in plastic and frozen for three months.

How to eat: Oatmeal bars can be enjoyed at room temperature or cold. I like to eat them out of the fridge because they last longer and hold together well!