• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Best Kitchen Gifts
    • Baby Registry List
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Cooking)
    • Food Photography Essentials
  • Instagram
JoyFoodSunshine
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About Laura
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Never Miss a Recipe

  • ×

    Home » Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Bars

    Healthy No-Bake Oatmeal Bars

    Published: May 19, 2019 · Modified: Feb 7, 2023 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These chocolate peanut butter no-bake oatmeal bars are an easy & healthy dessert or snack! They only take 5 minutes to make, and are gluten and dairy-free! Plus they have no refined sugar and are vegan-friendly!

    front view of a stack of three No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with Peanut Butter & Coconut, the top one has a bite taken out of it

    These No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with Peanut Butter & Coconut are one of our favorite healthy treats! They are made with only 7 ingredients and come together in 10 minutes and are so delicious your kids will think they're eating dessert when they're really eating a wholesome snack!  

    These No-Bake Oatmeal Bars are a combination of all my favorite things...Peanut butter, chocolate, coconut, and honey. YUM! Plus they are no bake, gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free and SO easy to make!

    Seriously, combine the wet ingredients then add the dry ingredients, mix it up, press into pan.  Melt some chocolate & peanut butter then drizzle or spread it on top and you're done. The longest (and most challenging) part of this no-bake oatmeal bars recipe is letting the bars cool enough to eat without making a mess.

    overhead view of seven No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with Peanut Butter & Coconut laid out on a white surface with chocolate chips around them.

    I just have to tell you, that these No-Bake Oatmeal Bars are so delicious that my daughter Bethany (age 8) ate one and said, "MOM, next year on my birthday I want these instead of cake."

    That girl lives for dessert, especially, birthday cake. She starts brainstorming ideas for her cake in July...and her birthday is in January. (Priorities) So needless to say, when she says "I want these instead of a birthday cake," it means that we have a seriously rockin' recipe on our hands.

    No-Bake Oatmeal Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions

    As always, I recommend making this recipe exactly as it's written, but here are a few possible substitutions!

    • Old-fashioned oats. Quick-cooking oats can be use here you just might need to add 1-2 TBS extra peanut butter to keep the bars from becoming too crumbly! 
    • Almond meal. If you have a tree-nut allergy in your family simply increase the amount of oats by ¼ cup and omit the almond meal. You can also substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour!
    • Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter should work well in this recipe, however depending on the consistency you may need to adjust the amount used.
    • Honey. Any liquid sweetener will work well in this recipe, however honey is my favorite! For a vegan version use pure maple syrup. 

    How to make No-Bake Oatmeal Bars 

    These No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with Peanut Butter & Coconut are SO easy to make, but let's walk through the process step-by-step to ensure your success!

    Combine the wet ingredients

    Combine the honey, peanut butter together and the vanilla and stir to combine. I use natural peanut butter so it's very smooth, liquidy and easy to stir.

    If you are using a firmer peanut butter (one that is solid at room temperature), I recommend gently melting it with the honey either in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's easy to stir! Then add the vanilla once the honey and peanut butter are combined!

    Two overhead photos of a glass mixing bowl on a white surface, the left shows a hand pouring vanilla into the bowl that has peanut butter and honey in it already, the right shows hands stirring the ingredients with a white spatula to make these No-Bake Oatmeal Bars

    Add the dry ingredients 

    Next, add the dry ingredients and stir until everything is combined and the mixture is uniform throughout. As you can see below, the mixture should be firm but not soupy. 

    • If the mixture is too wet add more oats 1 TBS at a time until it reaches the correct consistency. 
    • If the mixture is too dry add more honey or peanut butter until it reaches the correct consistency. 

    Hopefully you won't run into either one of these issues! But in case you do there are some solutions for you!

    Two overhead photos of a glass mixing bowl on a white surface, the left shows a hand pouring salt into the bowl that contains the wet mixture, oats and coconut, the right shows hands stirring the ingredients with a white spatula to make these No-Bake Oatmeal Bars

    Press mixture into a baking dish

    Using a spatula or your greased hands, press the mixture into the bottom of an 8x8" baking dish and set aside but do NOT chill. 

    overhead view of a hand pressing the No-Bake Oatmeal Bars mixture into a white 8x8" baking dish with a white spatula

    Make the Chocolate Peanut Butter Topping

    Simply melt chocolate and peanut butter together in the microwave or on a stovetop over low heat until the mixture is smooth and glossy. See the recipe card for a refined sugar free version (not using chocolate chips)!

    two overhead photos of a small glass bowl, the left shows unmelted chocolate chips and a glob of peanut butter, the right shows a spatula stirring the melted chocolate peanut butter mixture

    Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture on top of the bars in the baking dish and use a spatula to spread it out evenly.

    Chill

    Place the bars in the refrigerator to harden, or let them sit at room temperature until the chocolate is set (this takes significantly longer). 

    two photos, the right is a front view of melted chocolate being poured onto No-Bake Oatmeal Bars in a white square baking dish. The right photo shows the No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with the chocolate spread on top in a square white baking dish

    Cut and Serve

    Be sure to remove the No-Bake Oatmeal Bars from the refrigerator before the chocolate is completely set, otherwise they will be difficult to cut.

    Store/freeze

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature - do not microwave.

    Overhead photo of No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with a chocolate topping in a white square baking dish after they have been cut.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I double this recipe?

    Yes, double the ingredients and use a 9x13" baking dish.

    Can I halve this recipe?

    Yes, halve the ingredients and use a 9x5" loaf pan.

    front view of a stack of four no bake oatmeal bars with chocolate coconut and peanut butter

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    No-Bake Oatmeal Bars (with Peanut Butter & Coconut)

    Laura
    These chocolate peanut butter no-bake oatmeal bars are an easy & healthy dessert or snack! They only take 5 minutes to make, and are gluten and dairy-free! Plus they have no refined sugar and are vegan-friendly!
    4.98 from 75 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Chill time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 bars
    Calories 188 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    For the bars:

    • 1 cup old-fashioned oats gluten-free
    • 1 cup unsweetened coconut (shredded)
    • ¼ cup almond meal
    • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
    • ½ cup honey
    • ¼ to ½ tsp salt
    • 1 tsp vanilla

    For the chocolate topping:

    • ¼ cup chocolate chips
    • 1 TBS peanut butter

    Refined-sugar free topping option:

    • ¼ cup unsweetened chocolate chopped
    • 1 TBS peanut butter
    • 1-2 TBS honey or maple syrup
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    For the Bars:

    • In a small bowl mix together oats, coconut and almond meal. Set aside
    • In a large, microwave safe bowl or in a pot on the stove, gently melt the peanut butter and honey together until smooth. (If your peanut butter is liquid at room temperature, simply mix the honey and peanut butter together without warming). 
    • Add vanilla and salt (to taste...I love sweet/salty so I use ½ tsp) and stir until combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients and mix well.
    • Spread into an 8x8” pan and set aside.

    For the topping:

    • Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together on the stovetop or in the microwave (start by heating for 60 seconds. Stir then heat in 30 second increments until smooth).

    Refined-sugar free topping:

    • In the microwave or on the stovetop, gently melt together the chocolate, honey (or maple syrup) and peanut butter.

    Putting it together:

    • Drizzle or spread melted chocolate/peanut butter over bars.
    • Let the bars setup on the counter or in the fridge until the chocolate sets.
    • Cut and serve at room temperature or cold!
    • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Video

    Notes

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Old-fashioned oats. Quick-cooking oats can be use here you just might need to add 1-2 TBS extra peanut butter to keep the bars from becoming too crumbly! 
    • Almond meal. If you have a tree-nut allergy in your family simply increase the amount of oats by ¼ cup and omit the almond meal. You can also substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour!
    • Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter should work well in this recipe, however depending on the consistency you may need to adjust the amount used.
    • Honey. Any liquid sweetener will work well in this recipe, however honey is my favorite! For a vegan version use pure maple syrup. 

    Store/freeze

    Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature - do not microwave.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1barCalories: 188kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 4.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3.6gSodium: 35mgPotassium: 15mgFiber: 2.7gSugar: 11.4gVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 0.5mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More delicious recipes:

    • These healthy peanut butter blondies
    • Fudgy paleo brownies (seriously try them)!
    • This Puppy Chow (gluten-free & dairy-free)!
    • And my favorite black bean brownies!
    Front view of a stack of three Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bars on a plate

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    « Eggless Edible Cookie Dough
    Homemade Strawberry Lemonade »

    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. PamS

      January 08, 2023 at 5:13 pm

      5 stars
      Simple and tasty. A hit with the grandkids AND with me. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
      • Laura

        January 09, 2023 at 7:26 am

        Thank you Pam!

        Reply
    2. Debi

      December 06, 2022 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      I made this recipe a few times now, I add hemp seed, protein powder, rice
      Krispies on top and flax seed. I also substituted agave for the honey. Works out great when we want some thing sweet.

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 06, 2022 at 3:44 pm

        Thank you so much, Debi!

        Reply
    3. Dawn

      September 07, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      Can I make these without the coconut? Any substitutions?

      Reply
    4. Jan

      August 01, 2022 at 1:23 pm

      5 stars
      These are so delicious. I will definitely make them again. This is the best no bake cookie recipe that I have tried.

      Reply
    5. Alanah

      April 06, 2022 at 11:02 am

      Can I make these ahead of time? They look amazing!

      Reply
      • Carrie

        December 27, 2022 at 7:33 am

        I’ve made them and kept them in the freezer, and have just eaten them whenever the mood struck! They keep and freeze beautifully!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Search

    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

    Click here to read more >>

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Most Popular Recipes

    • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ever
    • Best Cinnamon Rolls Recipe (Better than Cinnabon)
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe
    • Easy Dutch Oven No Knead Bread
    • Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)
    • Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
      Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better than P.F. Chang's)!

    Trending now

    • Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe
    • Healthy Pineapple Carrot Cake
    • The Best Banana Cake Recipe
    • Egg Casserole (Egg Bake)
    • Baked French Toast Casserole
    • Best Carrot Cake Recipe
      Best Carrot Cake Recipe

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Joy Food Sunshine Logo
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS Feed
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Never Miss a Recipe

    218285 shares
    • 3124