No-bake Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites made with oats, peanut butter, dried berries, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and honey.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Okay, so this isn’t some fancy story about a recipe handed down through generations. Nope. This one happened because I forgot to go grocery shopping again and had a bunch of snack odds and ends hanging out in the pantry—half a jar of peanut butter, some lonely oats, a handful of pistachios from who-knows-when, and exactly 10 dried cranberries at the bottom of the bag. You know the type.
I mixed it all together in a bowl, rolled them into wonky little snack balls, and stuck them in the fridge. I wasn’t expecting much, but then… I took a bite. And then another. And before I knew it, I was hoarding them like I was preparing for winter.
What started out as kitchen improv turned into something I now make every single week. These Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites are my go-to for those “I want something sweet but not full-blown dessert” moments. You know the ones.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites Recipe?
Here’s the thing—these granola bites aren’t just “healthy adjacent.” They’re actually good. They hit all the right notes: chewy, slightly crunchy, just sweet enough without feeling like dessert, and super satisfying without being heavy.
But also? They’re…
-
Zero-bake. You just stir and chill. That’s it.
-
Customizable. Don’t like pistachios? Cool. Swap them. Add chocolate. Live your truth.
-
Kid-friendly. I can’t keep them stocked long enough.
-
Road trip or lunchbox gold. They hold their shape. They don’t melt. They’re tidy.
-
Surprisingly filling. Like, “oh wow I’m full after two” kind of energy.
Honestly, they’re basically snack therapy.
Ingredient Notes:
I always like knowing what each thing actually does in a recipe—so here’s the breakdown, friend-to-friend:
-
Rolled oats (¾ cup): Your hearty base. Go for old-fashioned oats if you want a nice chewy texture.
-
Sunflower seeds (2 tbsp): Adds a salty crunch and balances the sweetness.
-
Pistachios (2 tbsp, chopped): Adds richness, color, and that subtle nuttiness that makes you go “huh… nice.”
-
Dried cranberries & blueberries (¼ cup each): Sweet and tart, like a fruit punch but less aggressive.
-
Ground flaxseed (2 tbsp): Fiber. Binding. Sneaky health bonus.
-
Kosher salt (½ tsp): Don’t skip this. It pulls everything together.
-
Creamy peanut butter (½ cup) + chunky PB (¼ cup): The dream combo. One gives you smoothness, the other gives crunch.
-
Honey (1 tbsp): The glue that adds just enough sweetness.
-
Vanilla (½ tsp): Not mandatory but adds a mellow roundness I love.
How To Make Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites?
Step 1: Dump & Stir
Seriously—just dump everything into a bowl. I usually use a wooden spoon at first and then give up and use my hands. It’s faster and more satisfying. If you’ve got rings on, good luck. Maybe remove them first.
Step 2: Test the Stickiness
Take a small scoop and try to roll it between your hands. If it holds, awesome. If it crumbles, add a spoon of peanut butter or a drizzle of honey. If it’s sticky like glue, toss in a little more oats or flax.
Step 3: Roll ‘em Up
Line a baking sheet with parchment and start rolling heaping tablespoons of the mix into 1½-inch balls. Don’t stress if they’re weirdly shaped. These aren’t meant to be perfect. Imperfect is charming.
Want To Save This Recipe?
Step 4: Chill
Slide that tray into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. I usually forget about them and come back in an hour. Works every time.
Storage Options:
These will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks in the fridge, but let’s be honest—they’ll be gone in 3 days. I keep them in an airtight container in the fridge and just sneak one whenever the mood hits (which is often). You can freeze them too, but mine have never lasted long enough to try.
Variations and Substitutions:
These bites are forgiving. Like, the kind of recipe that doesn’t judge you if you’re low on ingredients or winging it. Here are a few swaps you can try:
-
Nut-free version? Sub in sunflower seed butter or tahini.
-
Different fruits? Try chopped apricots, raisins, or whatever’s hanging out in your pantry.
-
Need more protein? Add a scoop of protein powder. You may need more PB to keep it sticky.
-
Low-sugar version? Skip the honey or use less-sweet dried fruit.
-
Chocolate fan? Toss in a few mini chocolate chips or dark chocolate chunks. Live a little.
What to Serve with Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites?
-
With coffee. They’re perfect with a morning brew.
-
As a yogurt topper. Just crumble a few on top.
-
With a banana. Sounds basic, but it’s a balanced mini-meal.
-
In a lunchbox. For you, your kid, your partner—snacks = love.
-
After a walk. I swear these taste even better post-fresh-air.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use quick oats?
Sure, but the texture will be a bit softer and more compact.
Can I double this?
Yes. Please do. Especially if you live with snack thieves.
Do I have to chill them?
Yes, unless you like sticky hands and crumbly bites. The fridge firms them up.
If you’re looking for a snack that’s quick, healthy-ish, and makes you feel like you’ve got your life together (even if just for 10 minutes), these Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites are it. They’re honest-to-goodness repeat-worthy. I’ve made them more times than I can count, and every batch disappears faster than the last.
Try ‘em out. And if you do, drop me a comment or tag me—I love seeing your creations!
Now go roll yourself some snack joy.
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
< Remember it later! >
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Keep the Flavor Coming – Try These:
Peanut Butter and Oat Granola Bites
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons pistachios coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries roughly chopped
- ¼ cup dried blueberries roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup chunky peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Prepare the Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, sunflower seeds, chopped pistachios, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, ground flaxseed, and kosher salt. Stir to evenly distribute all ingredients.
Incorporate Wet Ingredients:
- Add the creamy and chunky peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir thoroughly using a sturdy spoon or spatula until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture begins to hold together.
Test the Consistency:
- Take a small portion of the mixture and roll it between your palms. If the mixture forms a cohesive ball, it is ready. If it is too dry and crumbly, incorporate an additional spoonful of peanut butter or a small drizzle of honey. If the mixture is too wet or sticky, add a small amount of rolled oats or ground flaxseed.
Shape the Bites:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Using a heaping tablespoon of the mixture for each bite, form the dough into 1½-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Chill:
- Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and allow the bites to chill for a minimum of 30 minutes, or until firm. This will help the bites retain their shape and texture.
Storage:
- Store the granola bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Alternatively, they may be frozen for longer storage and thawed as needed.
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
