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Irresistibly soft and chewy, beautifully sweet and salty—these Bobo’s inspired Oat Bites are ultra-satisfying and packed with deliciously-wholesome flavors. With a glossy, fruity jelly-stuffed center, nutty oat taste, rich peanut butter goodness, and kiss of honey and cinnamon flavors, every bite of this recipe for peanut putter oatmeal muffins strike the perfect balance between comforting, nostalgic treat and everyday grab-and-go-snack.

“Thank you for sharing your recipe! I was looking for oat bars similar to BoBos for hiking snacks. This came out fantastic and I will definitely be making these again!”

– KIM
Overhead photo of 12 peanut butter oatmeal muffins on a wood serving board.

Update: This recipe was originally published in June 2024. I made updates to the article below to include more information about making this recipe for bobo’s oat bites.

If you’re anything like me, peanut butter and jelly will always have a permanent spot in your snack rotation. It’s one of those classic flavor combinations that never goes out of style—and these homemade Bobo’s Oat Bites are proof that PB&J can get even better:

Table of Contents

About these oat bites

These soft-baked peanut butter oatmeal muffins take everything you love about a cozy bowl of oatmeal, a chewy bakery oat bar or soft oatmeal cookie, and a nostalgic peanut butter and jelly sandwich and wrap it up into one irresistible muffin bite.

Made with hearty oats, creamy peanut butter, honey, cinnamon, and a surprise sweet jam-filled center, they bake up tender, chewy, and perfectly satisfying. Every bite delivers rich roasted peanut butter flavor mingling with comforting oats and a glossy burst of fruity sweetness that feels like childhood nostalgia in muffin form.

And, the best part? They’re wonderfully simple to make! Everything comes together in one bowl with everyday pantry staples, and the entire recipe is ready in about 30 minutes. No fancy equipment, no complicated techniques—just wholesome ingredients transformed into a snack you’ll want to make on repeat.

These peanut butter oat cups are perfect for breakfast on busy mornings, lunchboxes, after-school snacks, road trips, or meal prep for the week ahead. Plus, they’re endlessly customizable. Swap in your favorite jam, jelly, fruit preserves, or try homemade fruit jam to create a new flavor every time.

With their cozy aroma, soft texture, and sweet surprise center, these homemade Bobo’s-inspired oat bites are the kind of snack that disappears almost as fast as they cool.

Why make THIS this recipe

TL;DR? Here’s why you’ll love this bobos muffins copycat recipe:

  • Soft‑Baked Texture and Jam Surprise. The combination of oats and peanut butter creates a tender, chewy muffin while a jelly-stuffed center delivers a sweet and fruity, jamm-y surprise. 
  • Nostalgic Bobo’s-Inspired Experience. Fans of iconic bobo muffins will recognize the comforting combination of oats and peanut butter wrapped up in a soft texture.
  • Customizable Flavor. Use your favorite flavor of fruit jelly or jam, add in mini chocolate chips, or stir in apple pie spices to create endless variations.
  • Pantry‑Friendly Ingredients. You just need everyday staples, like eggs, milk, and honey, making this pb & j muffins recipe both accessible and budget‑friendly.
  • Family‑Friendly and Perfectly-Portable. Sturdy, mess-free, and packed with PB & J nostalgic flavor, these bites are ideal for meal prep, lunchboxes, or on-the-go snacking.
  • Meal‑Prep Perfection and Any Season. They store beautifully for several days and taste great warm, chilled, or at room temperature. Plus, these muffins are cozy enough for winter and light enough for summer snacking. 
Overhead photo of 12 peanut butter oatmeal muffins on a wood serving board.

Ingredients for bobo’s oat bites

As promised, you just need basic ingredients to make these pb and j muffins:

  • Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: These provide structure and that signature hearty, chewy texture and nutty flavor that defines great oat bites. Be sure to avoid quick oats if you want a more substantial bite.
  • Creamy Peanut butter: One of the star ingredients, PB lends richness, moisture and that unmistakable flavor. And, use a smooth, well-stirred peanut butter for even distribution. Note: Natural peanut butter will work, but stir well and make sure it’s not too oily. Swap: Almond butter or sunflower seed butter works as well.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure—be sure to spoon and level for accuracy.
  • Honey and Brown Sugar: Contribute a gentle sweetness, moisture, and a kiss of caramel-like deliciousness. Swap: Maple syrup works too.
  • Milk (dairy or non-dairy): Hydrates the oats and helps create a soft muffin crumb. 
  • Large Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the ingredients together, giving the oat bites a cohesive texture.
  • Neutral Oil: A touch of neutral vegetable or canola oil lends moisture.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Work together to create lift, without making the muffins airy or too cake-like.
  • Ground Cinnamon and Kosher Salt: Cinnamon lends coziness while salt is essential for enhancing all the delicious flavors.
  • Vanilla extract: Adds welcoming warmth and rounds out the flavor profile.
  • Jam, Jelly, or Preserve Filling: If you’re looking for homemade pb & j goodness, you’ll need a few spoonfuls of your favorite jam to create a glossy, fruity surprise center.

Recipe variations

  • Berry Baked Oatmeal Bites: Mix fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or combination of two into the oatmeal cup batter.
  • Apple Cinnamon Oat Muffins: Fold diced apples and extra ground cinnamon into the batter.
  • Nutty Nut Butter Breakfast Cups: Swap out the peanut butter and opt for your favorite variety of nut butter, like granola butter, cashew butter, almond butter, or even macadamia nut butter instead. And stir in your favorite toasted nuts, like walnuts or pecans, into the oat batter.
  • Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Muffins: Mash a ripe banana and 1/2 cup of the mashed banana to replace one whole egg in this peanut butter oatmeal muffins recipe.
  • Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oat Muffins: Stir mini chocolate chips or cocoa nibs into the oatmeal muffin batter.
  • Protein-Packed Twist: Add a small scoop of neutral, peanut butter, or vanilla protein powder to the muffin batter. Just note you’ll want to adjust the liquid slightly to maintain texture.
  • Vegan-Friendly Option: Use plant-based milk, maple syrup, and flax eggs for a fully plant-based bobo muffins alternative.

If you’ve got leftover rolled oats, put them to good use in this oat chia seed pudding.

Action photo of a spatula stirring raw oatmeal muffin batter in a large glass bowl.

Professional chef expert tips perfect results every time!

As a professionally trained and restaurant-experienced chef, here are my top secrets for success when making this oat bites recipe:

  • Use Old‑Fashioned Oats. For the chewy, hearty texture that makes these muffins reminiscent of Bobo’s oat bites.
  • Choose Creamy Peanut Butter. Make sure you use a smooth, creamy peanut butter that is well mixed to prevent greasy pockets and an uneven texture.
  • Stir Batter Gently. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, stir gently to avoid dense, compact pb & j muffins.
  • Don’t Overmix Batter. Stir just until combined to avoid compact, dense muffins.
  • Balance Moisture Carefully: If you’re adding mix-ins like fruit or protein powder, adjust liquid slightly to fully hydrate oats and maintain softness.
  • Use Silicone Liners. Oat‑based batters unfortunately cling to paper liners.
  • Fill Muffin Cups All the Way. Fill the tins all the way to the top to achieve that thick, Bobo’s‑style shape.
  • Watch Baking Time. Overbaking will lead to dry peanut butter oatmeal muffins; they should be just set with a soft center.
  • Let Them Cool. These peanut butter muffins firm up as they cool, developing that signature bobo’s oat bites texture.
Overhead photo of a muffin tin filled with raw oatmeal batter and jelly (before baking).

FAQs: frequently asked questions

You’ve got questions? I’ve got answers! If you have a question you don’t see listed below, please drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 

What are baked oatmeal bites?

Oatmeal baked cups, or oatmeal muffins, are simply individual portions of baked oatmeal flavored with peanut butter, brown sugar, and vanilla made in a muffin tin. You can simply think of baked oat cups as a super convenient, portable way to enjoy oats as a grab-and-go breakfast or snack.

Are these similar to bobo muffins?

Yes, they sure are! These muffins feature the same comforting and delicious combination of oats and peanut butter wrapped up in a soft, hearty texture that lovers of Bobo’s oat bars and bites will love.

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

While you can, quick oats will make the texture softer and less structured, closer to baked oatmeal than muffins. I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats for the best results.

Are these gluten‑free?

They can be—just use certified gluten‑free oats to keep this pb & j muffins recipe gluten‑free.

Can I make these nut‑free?

Yes, you sure can—use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter to make this oat bites recipe free of nuts.

Can I add mix-ins?

Yes, you absolutely can—mix-ins are the best way to customize this oatmeal muffin recipe. Try adding in mini chocolate chips, protein powder, seeds, or dried fruit. However, please note that you may need to add additional liquid to the batter

How do I prevent them from sticking to the muffin tin?

Unfortunately, oat-based muffins will stick to paper liners. Be sure to use silicone liners or grease the muffin tins well with non-stick cooking spray.

Why are my muffins dry?

Either excess flour from improperly measuring or overbaking are the most common contributors to dryness. 

Can I make these PB & J muffins ahead of time?

Of course. These muffins are perfect for meal prep and remain soft for several days when properly stored.

Overhead photo of five freshly baked bobos muffins drizzled with peanut butter on a serving board.

Serving peanut butter oatmeal muffins

If you’re looking for some common and fun, unique serving suggestions for these delightful peanut butter baked oat muffins, I’ve got you:

  • With a Cozy Drink: Enjoy them as a satisfying breakfast with a steaming cup or coffee or tea. Consider drizzling them with pure maple syrup and serving with hot chocolate or white hot chocolate for an indulgent treat.
  • Breakfast Balance: If you’re looking for a more balanced way to start your day, serve your muffins alongside a bowl of whipped greek yogurt topped with fresh fruit or a perfectly peel-able hard boiled egg.
  • Dazzling Drizzle: For an indulgent treat, consider drizzling this oat bites recipe with warm peanut butter, microwave chocolate sauce, or salted caramel sauce.

Snack-tasting suggestions

  • On the Go Snacking: Sturdy enough for packing, I personally love to take these pb & j muffins as a snack for while I’m out on the trail. They pair great in my hiking bag with cinnamon granola, roasted and spiced nuts, dried fruits, and/or homemade chocolate granola.
  • Parfait Style: If you’re looking for a fancy presentation, cut the muffins into cubes and layer them in a parfait glass with vanilla yogurt, fresh fruits, like strawberries and blueberries, and top with a glossy fruit syrup.
  • Decadent Dessert: Do it up right and create an à la mode dessert by topping warm peanut butter oatmeal muffins with a scoop of vanilla, blueberry ice cream, or pecan ice cream, drizzling with your favorite dessert sauce, and a dusting confectioner’s sugar over the top.

Storing leftover bobos muffins

Allow leftovers of this oat bites recipe to cool completely on a wire rack before storing according to the instructions below:

  • Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cool oat bites to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 to 6 days. (Note: I like to bring them to room temperature before enjoying.) 
  • Freezing Instructions: Individually wrap the oat muffins in plastic before storing in a freezer-safe storage bag in the freezer for up to 2 to 3 months.
  • Reheating Frozen Oat Bites: Warm the oatmeal muffins gently in the microwave for 15–25 seconds or in a low oven until just warm throughout.
Close-up photo of a bobo's oat bite with jelly filling.

With a soft and chewy oatmeal-like texture, rich peanut butter flavor, and satisfying heartiness, this recipe for oat bites delivers everything you love about bobo’s oat muffins. They’re simple, wholesome, and perfect for breakfast, snacking, meal prepping, and all those sweet-treat-cravings. 

I hope you give these peanut butter oat muffins a try. But don’t forget to come back and let me know how they went over or you made them your own in the comments below. I truly love cheering you on in the kitchen!

Until next time, cheers,

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Overhead photo of a dozen oat bites made with peanut butter and jelly on a wood serving board.

Oat Bites

5 from 2 votes
Author: Cheyanne Holzworth
Total Time: 35 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 Oat Bites
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Irresistibly soft and chewy, beautifully sweet and salty—these Bobo's inspired Oat Bites are ultra-satisfying and packed with deliciously-wholesome flavors. With a glossy, fruity jelly-stuffed center, nutty oat taste, rich peanut butter goodness, and kiss of honey and cinnamon flavors, every bite of this recipe for peanut putter oatmeal muffins strike the perfect balance between comforting, nostalgic treat and everyday grab-and-go-snack.

Equipment

  • 2 Mixing Bowls – one medium in size and one large in size
  • 1 Standard Muffin Pan

Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Preheat Oven and Prep Pan: Arrange oven rack to the center position and then preheat the oven to 350-degrees Fahrenheit.
    Spray a standard muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or use a silicone muffin pan and then set aside.
    Overhead action photo of non-stick cooking spray being sprayed onto a muffin tin.
  • Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Use a whisk and stir to fully combine the ingredients. Then, set the bowl aside.
    Overhead action photo of a whisk stirring together dry ingredients (flour, old fashioned oats, cinnamon, leavened, salt) in a large mixing bowl.
  • Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whisked eggs, whole milk, creamy peanut butter, honey, sugar, oil, and pure vanilla extract. Use a whisk and stir until the ingredients are fully combined.
    Overhead action photo of wet ingredients being vigorously stirred in a large glass bowl.
  • Add Dry to Wet: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
    Then use a rubber spatula and stir the ingredients together until they’re fully combined and homogamous. (Note: Oat mixture will look very wet.)
    Overhead action photo of rolled oats being poured into liquid ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  • Layer Oat Batter with Jam in Muffin Pan: Using a small cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop about a tablespoon and a half of the oatmeal mixture into each muffin tin.
    Then, use the tip of the spoon to form a small divot in the center of the oatmeal mixture to form a little cup shape. Next, dollop 2 teaspoons of jelly, jam, or preserves into the center of the cup.
    Top with a tablespoon of the oat mixture. Repeat until all the muffin tin molds are filled with the jelly and oats.
    Overhead action photo of jelly being dolloped into the center of raw oat bite batter.
  • Bake Oat Bites: Transfer the pb&j oatmeal muffins to the preheated oven and bake for 20-24 minutes, or until the oat cups are golden and set.
    Overhead action photo of two hands moving a muffin tin of bobos oat bites from the counter to the preheated oven.
  • Let Muffins Cool: Remove the oatmeal cookie cups from the oven and place on a wire rack. Let the baked oatmeal bites cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
    Then, remove the peanut butter and jelly oatmeal cups from the muffin tin and place on the wire rack to cool completely.
    Overhead photo of a dozen oat bites cooling on a wire rack.
  • Serve Oat Bites Recipe: Drizzle the top of your jelly stuffed oatmeal snack with peanut butter and dust with ground cinnamon or cinnamon sugar if using. Enjoy!
    Overhead photo of a dozen oat bites made with peanut butter and jelly on a wood serving board.

Notes

  • Peanut Butter: If the peanut butter is hard and difficult to stir, microwave it for 10 seconds on high power.
    • Peanut Butter Drizzle: Add peanut butter and a little bit of honey (to taste) to a small bowl and microwave in 10 second increments until the mixture is easy to drizzle with a spoon. Note: Don’t microwave the mixture for too long or it will harden.
  • Need to Scale the Recipe? Hover your mouse over the number of servings in the recipe card. You’ll see a sliding scale pop up, you can use that to scale the recipe up or down as needed.
  • Got questions? I’ve got answers! If you ever run into an issue, have a question, or need any clarification – please feel free to drop them in the comments section. I’m happy to help when I can! 
 
I am not a certified nutritionist. All the nutritional information is generated by an online calculator and provided as a courtesy. The nutrition facts are an estimate based upon 12 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal    Carbohydrates: 24g    Protein: 6g    Fat: 10g    Saturated Fat: 2g    Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g    Monounsaturated Fat: 4g    Trans Fat: 0.02g    Cholesterol: 33mg    Sodium: 234mg    Potassium: 186mg    Fiber: 2g    Sugar: 11g    Vitamin A: 70IU    Vitamin C: 0.04mg    Calcium: 55mg    Iron: 1mg
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American

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Overhead photo of six PB and J oat muffins on a wood board with one muffin cut in half to expose the jelly center.