Peanut Butter Options:
Peanut butter is everywhere in lunch lady peanut butter bars! It truly is the star of the show. That said, if you have an allergy or simply don’t like the taste of it, you can replace it with your favorite nut butter. Here are some yummy ideas:
Sun butterCookie butterAlmondCashewHazelnutWalnut
No matter what kind of nut butter you decide to use, it’s important that you go for one without any added sugar. For all-natural versions, make sure to give it a good stir so that the oils mix together well. No one wants runny peanut butter bars!
Gluten-Free Options:
Our lunch lady peanut butter bars can easily be made gluten-free if needed! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with your favorite GF version, and make sure to go with GF oats.
Baking Dish Options:
You can use an 18×13 baking tray (as we have), or you can use a 9×13 baking dish instead. Just be aware that if you use a smaller pan, you’ll likely have leftover crust, filling, and frosting.
Topping Suggestions:
While lunch lady peanut butter bars aren’t typically served with a topping, we love the idea of adding some fun extras to the homemade fudge frosting. Here are some suggestions to get you inspired:
Reese’s Pieces candyCrumbled Reese’s Peanut Butter CupsPeanutsAny other type of nutChocolate chipsFlaky sea saltChopped pretzels
Troubleshooting: Can I Use Instant Or Quick Oats For The Crust?
Our lunch lady peanut butter bars recipe calls for old fashioned rolled oats as they are known for holding their texture even when baked. You can use instant or quick oats in a pinch — they may affect the texture, but it won’t make a difference as far as taste goes!
Crust Variations:
The classic version of this beloved dessert is made with an oat-filled crust. We love the old fashioned peanut butter bars recipe, but you can also get creative with the crust. Try replacing it with a:
Graham cracker crustOreo crustSaltine crust Sugar cookie crustBrownie crust
Storage Instructions:
You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge or on the countertop, depending on whether you like your lunch lady peanut butter bars chilled or at room temperature. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and they will keep for 5-7 days. If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious peanut butter recipes:
Perfect Peanut Butter PieChocolate Peanut Butter CupcakesPeanut Butter Crunch Brownies5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
Watch the video below where Caytlin will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes. Δ Δ
