Blueberry Peanut Butter Bars

Need an afternoon pick-me-up or a healthy breakfast idea? These Easy Blueberry Peanut Butter Bars are loaded with protein and have enough carbs to keep you going giving you that boost of energy you've been looking for.

Blueberry peanut butter energy bars are one of my favorites.  First of all, when it comes to snacks this is where I always fall short of staying healthy.  Or, where I try to not eat processed.  The "grab and go" is just the easiest thing for me to do. 

These are perfect for meal prepping a healthy snack. If you like these, then you will love my Flourless Banana Muffins!

Being a busy mother of 4 I always need an extra boost of energy. Incoming these healthy peanut butter bars.  This snack contains a lot of protein and just the right amount of carbs for that added energy.

Ingredients for this healthy snack

You will need the following ingredients to make this recipe.

• peanut butter - I always use natural peanut butter. You can choose creamy or chunky for this recipe.
• pure maple syrup - a natural sweetener so no sugar is added.
• old fashioned oats - this is a bulk of these bites. I use 2 cups when making this recipe.
• blueberries - I LOVE how these berries taste in this recipe. They mix in perfectly and you can even add some extra on top for a burst of flavor.
• pistachios - shells removed and chopped up. You can buy them already in this condition so you don't have to peel each one and then chop them.
• chia seeds - I added chia seeds for their nutritional value.
• egg - whisked, acts as a binder keeping the ingredients together.
• baking powder - helps the bars rise and become lighter.

Directions

Step-by-step directions for this easy healthy breakfast idea!

Step 1 - Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or cooking spray.  If you use parchment paper lightly spray it with cooking spray and set aside. In a large mixing bowl combine peanut butter and maple syrup and mix well. 

Step 2 - Stir in oats, blueberries, pistachios, chia seeds, egg, baking powder, and salt. 

Step 3 -Spread mixture onto the prepared baking pan and press firmly and evenly. Top with more blueberries, if desired, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.  Until edges are browned and crispy. 

Step 4 - Once cooked through remove from oven and let cool completely before removing from pan.  Enjoy!  You can eat these as they are or use them as a topping as you would with granola.

Substitutions and Variations

Here are some substitutions for some of the ingredients in case you happen to not have them on hand.

Peanut Butter - if you are allergic to peanut butter or just don't like the taste you can also use almond butter or soy nut butter instead.

Pure Maple Syrup - if you want to also use a natural sweetener, but don't have pure maple syrup you can also use honey here.

Old-Fashioned Oats - you can also use rolled oats here or even muesli. Muesli normally has oats in its mix along with dried fruit and added nuts and seeds so you will have those mixed in, but they just add to the bites.

Blueberries - if you aren't a fan of blueberries you can use another small berry like chopped strawberries, raspberries, or even blackberries.

Pistachios - If you don't have pistachios at home, choose another nut that is also full of protein.  Walnuts and almonds are both great options. 

Variations - I have added a scoop of my favorite protein powder to this recipe before for added protein and it has tasted just as amazing.

Cookware

You will need the following bakeware to make this healthy recipe.

8 x 8 inch square Non-stick baking pan - this is the size dish I make this recipe in. It will make 9 squares.

How can the kids help

I love including my kids in all of my cooking and baking and love to help. I even let my one-year-old in on the action. Here she is mixing the peanut butter and maple syrup. They can also help you mix the rest of the ingredients, as well!

Tips and FAQ's

Other healthy snacks you will also LOVE

If you give this recipe a try don't forget to rate the recipe below! Always love hearing what you all think. You can also Stay in touch with me through social media on @Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my healthy recipes!