Description
These Best No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are a quick and delicious treat featuring creamy peanut butter, rolled oats, and rich chocolate chips. Perfect for a healthy snack or dessert, they require no oven time and are easy to customize with nuts or shredded coconut.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Toppings (Optional)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts or shredded coconut
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish. Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars after chilling.
- Melt peanut butter mixture. In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Stir continuously until the mixture is completely smooth and melted.
- Add flavorings. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt to enhance the taste.
- Combine oats. Add the rolled oats to the mixture and stir until all oats are fully coated with the peanut butter mixture.
- Layer oat mixture. Pour half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish and press down firmly into an even layer to provide a solid base.
- Add chocolate chips. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the first oat layer for a melty chocolate surprise.
- Top with remaining oats. Pour the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer and gently press down to seal the bars.
- Add optional toppings. Sprinkle chopped nuts or shredded coconut on top for added texture and flavor if desired.
- Chill the bars. Refrigerate the dish for at least 2 hours or until the bars firm up sufficiently.
- Cut and serve. Once set, use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan and cut into 12 equal pieces.
Notes
- You can substitute almond butter for peanut butter for a different nutty flavor.
- Honey can be used instead of maple syrup as a natural sweetener.
- For a firmer texture, use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats.
- Ensure oats are certified gluten-free if you want the bars to be gluten-free.