This Energy Bars Recipe uses just 5 ingredients, needs no baking, and is easy and delicious. It tastes like a candy bar but is packed with protein and fiber.
Reasons to Love This Energy Bars Recipe:
- Simple and Quick: Mix, press, chill—no baking needed.
- Flexible: Customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Filling: Offers protein and fiber for energy.
- Family Favorite: Kids love making and eating them.
- Meal Prep Ready: Stores well for future snacking.
- Feels Like a Treat: Delicious yet packed with good-for-you ingredients.
Energy Bars Recipe Ingredients
- Quick Oats: I’ve found quick oats give the best texture in this.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: If you use a natural peanut butter make sure you mix it well.
- Honey: A natural sweetener.
- Salt: Even a pinch adds so much flavor to the bars.
- Miniature M&Ms: I’ve also swapped with nuts or dried fruit for less sugar.
Optional Ingredients:
- Chocolate Chips: Use a high quality chocolate for the best flavor.
- Coconut Oil: Smooths chocolate topping. Vegetable oil works in a pinch.
How To Make Energy Bars Recipe
- Prep: Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper — these binder clips are the best for holding it in place!
- Combine: Mix all bar ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
- Compress: Press mixture firmly into the prepared pan for an even layer.
- Optional Topping: Melt chocolate chips and oil, then drizzle or pipe over bars.
- Chill: Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until set.
- Cut: Use the parchment overhangs to lift out, then slice into bars with a sharp, hot knife for clean cuts.
Storage
Leftover Energy Bars?
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight bag for up to 1 week.
- Fridge: Keep in an airtight bag in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezing: Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months.
- Thawing: Thaw at room temperature before serving.
More No Bake Snacks:
- No Bake Granola Bars chewy and delicious
- Oatmeal Energy Balls like an oatmeal cookie
- Protein Breakfast Cookies cinnamon roll flavored
- No-Bake Granola with chocolate chips
- No-Bake Energy Bites ready in 15 mins
Energy Bars Recipe
These no-bake Energy Bars need just 5 ingredients and taste like a candy bar—but they’re packed with protein and fiber!
Equipment
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
Ingredients
Energy Bars
- 3 cups quick oats see note 1
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter I love Skippy
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup miniature M&M’s
Optional Chocolate Topping
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips milk, semi-sweet, or dark
- 1/4 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable oil
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. These binder clips are great for holding it in place!
- Combine “Energy Bars” ingredients in a very large bowl. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer (mixing on low speed) for this step. Check for consistency (see note 2).
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Using the bottom of a 1-cup measuring cup, firmly press the mixture into the pan to form an even and tightly compressed layer.
- Optional Chocolate Topping: Melt chocolate chips and oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring between each burst until melted. Transfer to a plastic zip-top bag and seal without air. Cut off the tip and pipe over the bars until you’ve used all the chocolate.
- Chill in fridge until set, about 1 hour. Use overhang to remove. Use a very sharp and hot knife to make cuts into bars (run knife under hot water and dry in between each cut).
Recipe Notes
Note 1: You’re relying on quick oats for their moisture absorption. Don’t use regular or old-fashioned oats.
Note 2: Consistency Adjustments: Depending on the moisture of your ingredients, you may need to slightly adjust the amounts. If it’s too dry and crumbly, incorporate more peanut butter or honey. If the mixture is too sticky, add a bit more oats, but keep in mind, oats will continue to absorb moisture over time, firming up the mixture.
Storage: Store in an airtight bag at room temperature for up to 1 week. Or keep in an airtight bag in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze individually wrapped bars for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 20.3g | Protein: 4.1g | Fat: 6.7g | Cholesterol: 0.8mg | Sodium: 73.8mg | Fiber: 1.9g | Sugar: 10.6g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I would love to try this recipe but my teenage son doesn’t like peanut butter. Any suggestions of a replacement?
You could substitute for a creamy nut butter he prefers! Enjoy! 🙂
Use peanut butter that only has peanuts &
salt. OR peanuts only.
I use skippy but use whatever peanut butter you prefer.