No Bake Oatmeal Bars
Posted May 19, 2019, Updated May 10, 2024
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These no bake oatmeal bars with peanut butter are a nutritious dessert or snack! They’re easy to make in 5 minutes with a handful of simple ingredients.
These no bake oatmeal bars with peanut butter are one of our favorite healthy treats. They are easy to make with 7 ingredients 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 delicious combination of all my favorite things: Peanut butter, chocolate, coconut, and honey. 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.
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 are a good substitute, just decrease the amount by 2 Tablespoons.
- Almond flour. If you have a tree-nut allergy in your family, increase the amount of oats by ¼ cup and omit the almond flour. You can also substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour.
- Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter works well in this recipe, however depending on the consistency you may need to adjust the amount used.
- Honey. maple syrup is a great substitute.
How to Make No Bake Oatmeal Bars
Let’s discuss how to make no bake oatmeal bars, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin by combining the honey, peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine. I use natural peanut butter so it’s liquid at room temperature 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.
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 Tablespoon 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.
Using a spatula or your greased hands, press the mixture into the bottom of an 8×8″ baking dish and set aside but do not chill.
Make the Chocolate Peanut Butter Topping
Once the oatmeal layer is pressed into the pan, make the chocolate layer by melting the chocolate and peanut butter together in the microwave or on a stovetop over low heat until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Assemble & Set
Next, pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture on top of the bars in the baking dish and use a spatula to spread it out evenly.
Place the bars in the refrigerator to harden, or let them sit at room temperature until the chocolate is set (this takes significantly longer).
Cut & Serve
Remove the no bake oatmeal bars from the refrigerator before the chocolate is completely set, otherwise they will be difficult to cut.
Cut into 16 squares and serve slightly cold or room temperature.
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.
No Bake Oatmeal Bars Recipe FAQs
Yes, double the ingredients and use a 9×13″ baking dish.
Yes, halve the ingredients and use a 9×5″ loaf pan.
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No-Bake Oatmeal Bars with Peanut Butter
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut (shredded)
- ¼ cup almond meal
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Chocolate Topping*
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
Instructions
Make the Oatmeal Layer
- 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 8×8” pan and set aside.
Make 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).
Assemble
- Drizzle or spread melted chocolate/peanut butter over bars.
- Let the bars set up at room temperature or in the refrigerator until the chocolate is hardened.
Serve
- Cut and serve at room temperature or cold.
Video
Notes
- Old-fashioned oats. Quick-cooking oats are a good substitute, just decrease the amount by 2 Tablespoons.
- Almond flour. If you have a tree-nut allergy in your family, increase the amount of oats by ¼ cup and omit the almond flour. You can also substitute all-purpose gluten-free flour.
- Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter works well in this recipe, however depending on the consistency you may need to adjust the amount used.
- Honey. maple syrup is a great substitute.
- ¼ unsweetened chocolate
- 1 Tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is so delicious that my daughter (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 delicious recipe on our hands.
Great recipe, easy and delicious! I made this recipe twice and everyone in my house loves it, even my granddaughter who does not like coconut. Going forward I will be making a double or triple batch.Thank you!
Did not add salt nor used the almond meal but added the additional oatmeal. Made it for someone’s who loves sweets, but are limited (for health sake)on how much they can have. I and they loved these bars. YES, they can easily be mistaken for sweets rather than a healthy snack!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Unbelievably tasty and oh-so-easy! My boyfriend helped to make these and was so surprised at how simple yet over-the-top delicious these were! Simple yet refined (even without sugar!) 😉
Very good, easy and fast recipe to make! I substitute the honey by Maple syrup, so good !🍁
These are so good! I love the unsweetened coconut in them. Fantastic recipe! And they set quickly in the refrigerator — 20 min.
I’m so glad you love them, Alison!
Simple and tasty. A hit with the grandkids AND with me. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Thank you Pam!
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.
Thank you so much, Debi!
Can I make these without the coconut? Any substitutions?
These are so delicious. I will definitely make them again. This is the best no bake cookie recipe that I have tried.
Can I make these ahead of time? They look amazing!
I’ve made them and kept them in the freezer, and have just eaten them whenever the mood struck! They keep and freeze beautifully!