When I was a kid there was always that one mom who arrived at gatherings with an array of snacks: multiple chip bags, several cookie options, and a pantry that looked like a small store. My parents’ pantry was the opposite — practical and pared down. We kept basics like canned tomatoes, chicken broth, flour, dried beans, oatmeal, and saltine crackers. Whenever my siblings and I complained of hunger, the answer was the same: “Well, make yourself something — we have plenty of food.” If we were stuck, Dad would suggest a fried egg sandwich (or make it for us), and Mom would point to the produce drawer and tell us to pick something fresh.
Now that I’m the primary grocery shopper in my household, I aim for a middle ground between a snack-heavy pantry and a bare-bones one. Granola bars are one of my go-to staples: portable, satisfying, and versatile — sometimes sweet, sometimes salty. But after shifting to a tree-nut-free home, finding allergen-safe commercial granola bars became impossible. That pushed me to develop a quick homemade option: Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bites. They take one bowl, are no-bake, and can be ready in under 10 minutes (plus a short chill).
These bites taste like a cross between a classic no-bake cookie and a chewy energy bar. My toddler and I love them — we go through a batch every week. They’re easy to customize too: swap mix-ins or adjust sweetness to suit your taste. Below I’ve included the recipe and basic nutrition so you can compare them to your favorite store-bought bar.
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bites
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Old Fashioned Oats dry
- ⅔ cup Coconut Flakes sweetened
- ½ cup Peanut Butter
- ¼ cup Honey
- ½ cup Chocolate Chips
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl or in a stand mixer bowl. Mix until the mixture is evenly combined.
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Use a cookie scoop or spoon to form teaspoon- to tablespoon-sized balls. Place on a tray and chill at least 30 minutes to set.
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Store the bites in the refrigerator. They are best eaten within five days.
Nutritional Facts: 1 piece provides approximately 95 kcal / 11 g Carbohydrates / 2 g Protein / 5 g Fat
