This diabetic bars recipe is packed with delicious goodness and healthy ingredients! The oats, peanut butter, and banana in these bars combine to make such a delicious flavor and chewy texture. You’ll want to make this delicious recipe soon for dessert! Or for a healthy snack. (Or for breakfast — I won’t tell!)

These bars are great for people with diabetes because this recipe boasts that balance of micronutrients we need in order to avoid a blood sugar spike. The peanut butter provides the majority of the fat and some protein, and the oats provide another bit of protein and fiber as well. Of course, the chocolate chips just provide the tasty delicious-ness. Plus, there’s no added white sugar or brown sugar, so it’s healthier than many pre-made healthy granola bars you can buy at the store.

Why You’ll Love This Diabetic Bars Recipe

1. SIMPLICITY. One of the reasons I really enjoy this recipe, other than the taste, is that it’s a super easy, one-bowl job. Fewer dishes to wash obviously makes me happier! And the pan you bake the bars in will be lined with parchment that you’ll ultimately throw away — so there’s even less mess! Plus, these bars are made of simple ingredients as well. Only four main ingredients make this super delicious dessert!

2. BLOOD SUGAR FRIENDLY. Another reason I love these sugar-free granola bars is that they are diabetes friendly. This proves diabetic cooking and baking can still be delicious! With no added sugar and the fat-fiber-protein content, my blood sugar doesn’t spike when I eat these. There’s no I-shouldn’t-have-eaten-that guilt afterward. And there’s no roller coaster of blood sugar readings to chase with insulin and exercise afterward. Plus, it’s a high protein recipe, and we know protein is important! These bars make the perfect snack.

3. FAMILY AFFAIR. But one of the biggest reasons I love making these bars is that the kids want to help. This is a very simple and quick recipe to throw together. Of course, the kids love to make their own protein bars. They add in the ingredients and stir. And they especially like to be my quality control testers once the bars are out of the oven and cooled a bit. (They’re one of our family favorites, and they’re really delicious warm!)

2 Steps to Make This Diabetic Bars Recipe

This recipe literally only has two steps. When I said earlier it was simple and quick, I really did mean it! You will not need any electrical equipment either. No food processor. No electric mixer. Just a medium bowl and spoon!

There are only four main ingredients, too. So your two steps will be to combine the ingredients together, and to bake it. So let’s go!

STEP 1 – PREPARE TO BAKE THE BARS

You’ll want to preheat the oven and line your loaf pan first. Then it’s a matter of combining the banana, peanut butter, and vanilla extract together in a large mixing bowl. Next, add in the dry ingredients: quick oats, salt, and baking powder. Once the rest of the ingredients are combined, you’ll fold in the dark chocolate chips into that same large bowl.

STEP 2 – Bake The Bars

Once the batter for the diabetic bars recipe has come together, it’s time to pour it into the prepared pan lined with parchment paper. Add a few more chocolate chips to the top, and then it will go in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.

You’ll know when the bars are done because they will start to turn golden brown. Also, a toothpick inserted into the center will come out clean.

Let the chocolate peanut butter bars cool

Now it’s time to let the bars cool off a bit. They should cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully lift the parchment out of the pan and allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack. (Or you could let them cool most of the way and cut them and enjoy them warm right then and there! Mmm!)

Carb COUNT In This Diabetic Bars Recipe

There are definitely carbs in these delicious treats. And honestly, they come from every ingredient involved. But again, combining the fat-fiber-protein trifecta, they are more blood sugar friendly than other sweet treats.

With the specific brand of ingredients I used for this recipe, the total amount of carbs for the whole recipe is 230g. With this recipe making 8 servings, that’s 29g of carbs per serving. (Need help counting carbs for your recipes? Check out my blog post with step-by-step instructions!)

As far as fat goes, we end up at 14g per serving. The fiber comes in at 5g per serving. And we have a whopping 8 grams of protein per serving (without adding any protein powder)!

Be sure to work this into your diet how you best manage your diabetes. And be sure to count the total carbs (or net carbs when dealing with fiber) in the specific products you use. Different brands vary in ingredients, so be doubly sure of the nutritional information in what you’re eating.

What Makes this Recipe Diabetic Friendly?

A “diabetic friendly” recipe is considered differently by different people. We all have unique diets and preferences and ways to manage our diabetes. And although many people with type 2 diabetes may limit carbs and sugar intake for more of a low carb lifestyle, some people with type 1 diabetes will tell you they can eat literally whatever they want as long as they dose for it.

For me, after living with type 1 for 30+ years, I consider something to be diabetic friendly if it is either:

• a recipe that combines fiber, healthy fats, and protein to help stabilize blood sugar levels to avoid a blood sugar spike
• a more diabetes friendly alternative to the ingredients you would normally find in a traditional version of that recipe

This recipe is both!

We’ve discussed the fiber, fat, and protein earlier. That combination helps to stabilize blood sugar, and this recipe has a good amount of each. And this recipe is also option #2 above, as there is no added sugars or non-whole grains. There can be a ton of ingredients in traditional bars like this that are simply not blood sugar friendly, but these are mainly banana, peanut butter, oats, and dark chocolate. Simple. (And delicious!)

VARIATIONS ON Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

In case you’re looking to change up the recipe a bit, I can think of a few things that you may enjoy:

• Not a fan of peanut butter? Try it with almond butter or a nut butter or seed butter you prefer.
• Want more of a crunch? Then add some nuts (that will add fat and a few g protein too) next time.
• Looking for a different flavor combination? Use a different flavor of chips instead of dark chocolate.

Diabetic Bars Recipe Make-Ahead Instructions

These bars are really yummy warm, but you can make them ahead and serve them later. All you need to do is allow them to cool fully on the wire rack. Then transfer them to an airtight container where they will stay good for a few days at room temperature.

And now for your free recipe:

DID YOU MAKE THIS Diabetic Bars RECIPE?

If you’ve made this recipe instead of purchasing store-bought granola bars, would you please leave a comment? I would love to hear from you!

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NOTE: I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician. Nothing here should be taken as professional medical advice. Any nutritional information provided should be used as a general guideline and estimate only. For the most accurate information, please calculate based on the specific ingredients and brands you use, as well as any changes you make to the recipe.

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