Energy Bars Recipe: Just 5 ingredients, no-baking needed, easy and delicious! Tastes like a candy bar but loaded with protein and fiber.

Energy Bars Recipe freshly cut into squares.

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.

All the ingredients for this recipe prepped out for easy assembly.

Energy Bars Recipe Ingredients

  • Quick Oats: Use for a great chewy texture. They’re needed here for proper moisture absorption.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: High-quality brands enhance flavor and texture. Natural versions can change consistency.
  • Honey: Natural binder and sweetener. 
  • Salt: Boosts overall flavor. 
  • Miniature M&Ms: Adds color and chocolate flavor. Swap with nuts or dried fruit for less sugar.

Optional Ingredients:

  • Chocolate Chips: Choose quality for best melt and flavor. 
  • Coconut Oil: Smooths chocolate topping. Vegetable oil works in a pinch.

All the ingredients being combined in a bowl for this energy bars recipe. Then the bars being spread in a pan and chocolate being drizzled on top.

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.

The snack prepped out ready to be enjoyed.

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.

Energy Bars Recipe cut into squares and stacked on top of each other.

More No Bake Snacks:

5 from 1 vote

Energy Bars Recipe

Energy Bars Recipe: Just 5 ingredients, no-baking needed, easy and delicious! Tastes like a candy bar but loaded with protein and fiber.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chilling Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 24 bars

Equipment

  • 8x8 inch pan
  • Parchment paper

Ingredients  

Energy Bars

  • 3 cups quick oats (Note 1)
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter (we love Skippy)
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup miniature M&Ms

Optional Chocolate Topping

  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips (milk, semi-sweet or dar)
  • 1/4 teaspoon coconut (or vegetable) oil

Instructions 

  • PREP: Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. These binder clips are great for holding it in place!
  • COMBINE: 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 (Note 2)
  • COMPRESS: 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 TOPPING: Melt chocolate chips and oil in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in bursts of 15 seconds, stirring in 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: 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: We're relying on quick oats for their moisture absorption. Don't use regular or old-fashioned.
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.

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.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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4 Comments

  1. Leticia says:

    I would love to try this recipe but my teenage son doesnโ€™t like peanut butter. Any suggestions of a replacement?

    1. Chelsea says:

      You could substitute for a creamy nut butter he prefers! Enjoy! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Lynn V. says:

    Use peanut butter that only has peanuts &
    salt. OR peanuts only.

    1. Chelsea says:

      I use skippy but use whatever peanut butter you prefer.