These no-bake PB&J oatmeal cups are a perfect snack or breakfast option for on-the-go! They are packed with whole-grain oats, protein-packed peanut butter, and sweetened with just a touch of honey. These PB&J cups are very customizable too; you can use any flavor of jam/jelly you prefer, omit the jelly layer completely, or add chocolate chips/melted chocolate for a chocolate peanut butter cup situation. ?
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but I have been on a SERIOUS PB&J kick around here lately. Honestly, I’ve been eating this combination SO MUCH lately for MONTHS. Favorites lately have been peanut butter and jelly on PANCAKES. I also have been loving peanut butter and raisins on celery….ants on a log, anyone? Ironically, I never grew up eating this snack as a kid. And let’s not forget peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and toast!
A few months ago I tested many PB&J recipes right in a row. These 3 ingredient no-bake PB&J energy bites were one of those recipes! And I’m excited to share another recipe with you now.
These peanut butter and jelly oatmeal cups are also no-bake, like these energy balls! And they only have 5 main ingredients (instead of 3), but they are still super easy to make.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
Ingredients and Substitution Ideas
Oats
I used a mixture of both quick and rolled/old-fashioned whole oats for these no-bake oatmeal cups for a the best consistency and texture. You can try using just all of one or the other; it should work fine! The texture will just be slightly different. Oats are naturally gluten free and packed with whole-grains and fiber.
Peanut butter
I personally love using natural peanut butter (honestly, the taste is SO much stronger/fresher/better!) that is made with just peanuts + salt. No added sugars or oils needed! If you have a peanut allergy or don’t want to use peanut butter for any reason, you absolutely can substitute any other nut/seed butter in it’s place! Almond, cashew, sunbutter, etc would all be great options! Might I suggest this honey cinnamon peanut butter or this strawberry PB&J butter?!
Honey
If you’ve been following this blog for any length of time, I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I LOVE using pure maple syrup or honey to sweeten recipes versus more refined sugars! Don’t get me wrong, honey and pure maple syrup are still added sugar, but I love the taste and the fact they are liquid sweeteners which work fabulously in many no-bake recipes to help everything stick together! You can also use pure maple syrup in place of the honey in these no-bake oatmeal cups. However, honey is slightly thicker/sticker than pure maple syrup, and I have found I prefer the honey version for this recipe.
Vanilla Extract and Salt
These can hardly be counted as ingredients since they are such pantry staples, but they add delicious flavor and bring all the flavors together!
Jelly/Jam
Here’s where this recipe can become very customizable. I used homemade blueberry chia jam (here’s the recipe), which I love since it has very minimal added sugar! You can absolutely use your favorite store-bought jam/jelly, and use any flavor you want! Grape, blueberry, strawberry, mixed berry, raspberry, cherry, etc. would all be delicious!
As I mentioned earlier, if you don’t like jelly you can omit for a plain PB version! OR omit and add in ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (or melt chocolate chips to drizzle on top!). So many options ?
Serving Suggestions
These no-bake peanut butter and jelly oatmeal cups make a delicious breakfast or snack option! I loved eating these crumbled on top of Greek yogurt and fresh berries or banana (like a no-bake peanut butter granola!). I’ve also eaten them with this delicious homemade ice cream, and of course they are delicious by themselves too! (Especially with a glass of milk or mug of coffee). ?
These keep best stored in the fridge so they stick together and don’t become too soft at room temperature. They are also freezer-friendly for several months!! Just let thaw a few minutes on the counter before eating.
Can’t wait for you to try this recipe!
Adapted from Lauren’s Lovely Kitchen No-Bake Almond Butter Cups on IG as well as Choosing Balance chocolate peanut butter cookie cups on IG.
- ½ cup quick oats
- ½ cup rolled/old-fashioned whole oats
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey (or sub maple syrup or agave)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Jam or jelly of choice, optional
- Chocolate chips or melted chocolate, optional
- Spray a mini muffin pan (or regular size) with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together all ingredients (oats, peanut butter, honey, vanilla, and salt) except jelly/jam until combined an a uniform dough forms.
- Dive dough in half. Evenly divide peanut butter oat dough to prepared muffin tins. Note this will make approximately 4 large (regular) muffins or 10-11 mini muffins.
- Layer homemade jam/jelly or store-bought jam of choice in middle.
- Then add remaining peanut butter oat dough to top of jelly/jam mixture.
- Keep in freezer or fridge; these bites become too soft at room temp. They freeze great and are very freezer-friendly!
- Notes: So delicious!! Can also use all of one type of oat. Optional to add jam. Could substitute chocolate chips or drizzling with melted chocolate would be delicious.
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