Homemade Peanut Butter Oatmeal Toddler Snacks

Peanut butter makes a protein-rich snack.

Giving your little one a sweet every now and then doesn't have to mean something that came directly from the shelves of your local supermarket. You can give your toddler a sweet, healthful treat made with your own hands, in your own kitchen. Not only will you have the pride that you made your cherub smile with your creation, but you will also know that there are no preservatives or other additives in your treats.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Placing all of your ingredients in a convenient area makes fast work of a recipe.

To make these sweet treats, you will need to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place 1/2 cup agave nectar or honey and one stick of softened butter in the bowl of your stand mixer. If you don't have a stand mixer, use a large bowl. Beat the ingredients together for one minute. Add the egg, 1 tsp. vanilla extract and 1 cup peanut butter to the mixture in the bowl. Beat another minute or until smooth.

In a separate, medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 cup old-fashioned oats, 1 tsp. baking soda and 1/2 tsp. salt. Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ones and mix.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Flatten the top of each cookie with a fork before baking. Use the fork to make a checkerboard pattern on the cookies by turning the tines of the fork 90 degrees before pressing down again. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are golden brown. Cool before serving.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Treats

Accompanied by a glass of milk, peanut butter and oatmeal are smile-makers.

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups flour, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1 tsp. baking soda.

Combine 1 cup margarine or butter, 3/4 cup sugar, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed, and an entire 16 oz. jar of peanut butter. Beat in two eggs and 1 tsp. vanilla. Stir in 2 cups oatmeal and 1 cup mini chocolate chips as well as the flour mixture.

Place mixture in an ungreased 15 1/2-inch by 10 1/2-inch by 1-inch pan. Press the dough down to fill the pan to the edges. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden.

No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

This recipe doesn't even require that you turn on the oven.

In a saucepan, melt 3/4 cup butter on the stove. Add 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/2 cup brown sugar and 3 cups quick cooking oats. Cook over low heat for 3 or 4 minutes

Spoon half of the mixture into a buttered 8-inch by 8-inch dish.

Place 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until it's all melted together. Stop the microwave every 30 seconds and stir the mixture.

Pour the chocolate and peanut butter on top of the oatmeal, saving a few spoonfuls.

Press the other half of the oatmeal onto the chocolate and peanut butter. Drizzle with the remaining chocolate and peanut butter. Refrigerate until solid -- a few hours.

Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal Bars

Bananas and peanut butter, a natural pairing, are made more nutritious with oatmeal.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with foil, and grease the foil.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, 1/3 tsp. ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp. ground ginger, 1/4 tsp. salt, 1 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats and 1 cup puffed wheat or rice oats.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup of mashed banana, 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 2 tbsp. honey, 3 tbsp. peanut butter and two large egg whites until combined. Whisk dry ingredients into wet.

Spread batter evenly into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with 2 tbsp. chocolate chips.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown around edges. Remove pan from oven and cool for 30 minutes on a wire rack before slicing.

References

• Weelicious: Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies
• Smucker's Peanut Butter Oatmeal Treats
• No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
• Sugar Plum: Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars