Recipe: Peanut Butter and Chocolate Energy Bars
These healthy peanut butter and chocolate energy bars are to die for! Made from natural ingredients that taste amazing you will really taste the homemade difference from those high priced bars you buy in the store. Perfect on the go healthy snack for school, the office, or even in the car. The oats, peanut butter, and seeds provide protein and long term energy so ideal pre/post workout or for sporting events. This nutritious recipe is so tasty and simple you will make it all the time!
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 18 serving(s)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 1/2 cups puffed wheat cereal
- 1/2 cup almond slivers
- 1/4 cup ground flax seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (you can also use pepitas)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup agave nectar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
- Combine oats, almonds, puffed cereal, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and chocolate chips in a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan, combine butter, peanut butter, brown sugar, salt, and agave nectar. Bring mixture to a slight boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- Pour mixture quickly over the dry ingredients (like Rice Krispie Treats). Stir to combine…chocolate chips will melt.
- With wet fingers, press mixture VERY FIRMLY into a 9x13 pan lined with wax paper. Let harden. (I put them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes to harden quickly before cutting.) Cut into approximately 18 pieces. If you want them thicker, make 1 and ½ of the recipe or don't fill the whole pan.
- Store in the freezer– best when thawed for a few minutes. *I wrap individual bars in wax paper and keep in freezer in a Tupperware tub so kids can grab “on the go”.
Nutrition Information Per Serving
Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 235
Protein: 5 gram(s)
Fat: 14 gram(s)
Carbohydrates: 24 gram(s)
Fiber: 3 gram(s)
Sugar: 14 gram(s)
Sodium: 587 milligram(s)
*You can use honey but I prefer Agave Nectar which has a low glycemic index; is less sticky than honey; and has all the useful properties of real sugars when baking.
From the kitchen of: Get Healthy U
16 Comments
Barb on February 21, 2022 at 7:57 AM
Can these bars stay at room temperature for a while? They sound delicious but my husband has sensitive teeth to cold.
Chris Freytag, CPT on February 23, 2022 at 10:47 PM
Yes - You will want to freeze them at first to make sure they harden. However, after they are made I am sure you could keep at room temperature! If you do try it at room temperature let me know how it works!
Tami on May 16, 2020 at 10:03 AM
Do you know what the saturated fat amount is? Looking forward to trying them!
Chris Freytag on September 15, 2020 at 1:09 PM
Saturated fat = 3 grams. Enjoy!
Michele Thompson on April 16, 2020 at 10:27 PM
What about another nut butter or seed butter?
Chris Freytag on August 17, 2020 at 12:24 PM
yes you can use whatever 'butter' you love.
Judy on March 28, 2019 at 4:41 PM
These bars are AMAZING!!! Way better than anything you buy in the store. My husband and I love them. I use dark chocolate chips and rice krispies for the cereal. These are a staple in our freezer every week. I have also given this recipe along with your name to several of my friends.
Chris Freytag on April 1, 2019 at 12:25 PM
Judy - I am so happy to hear that you and your husband are a fan of these bars! This recipe is definitely a family favorite, as I used to make these weekly for my kids when they were growing up! Thank you for passing this recipe along to friends and family!! Enjoy!
Denielle on January 13, 2019 at 10:57 AM
I made these with a little variation...I used Kashi (original) cereal (even more nutritious) instead of the wheat puff cereal and mini chocolate chips. They turned out great! Added more protein and fiber to the recipe!
katie on July 17, 2017 at 1:09 PM
I love this recipe! So much better than store bought.
Maureen Anderson on July 5, 2015 at 11:09 PM
Hi. I think it is unique that I am making these for a group of friends that is climbing Mt. Ranier in July.
Kerry on February 26, 2015 at 1:51 PM
LOVING all of your recipes! I've used this one a few times and cut the agave and brown sugar to 1/2 cup each. I also use rice krispies instead of puffed wheat. My kids and clients LOVE THEM! We also LOVE all the balls! Keep em coming!!
Mary on January 20, 2015 at 3:33 PM
Can you use Rice Krispies instead of puffed wheat for people needing gluten free?
Chris Freytag on January 22, 2015 at 8:20 PM
You can use substitutions. Try it and let me know how it works!
Leigh Dudley on January 19, 2015 at 9:26 PM
can you omit the peanut butter?
Chris Freytag on January 22, 2015 at 8:21 PM
Well, it’s one of the main ingredients, so I wouldn’t recommend it. You could try it and see how it comes out?