Description
These no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars combine the wholesome texture of oats with the rich, creamy flavors of peanut butter and dark chocolate. With a sweet and slightly salty oat base and a luscious fudgy chocolate center, these bars make a perfect dessert or snack that’s easy to prepare and delightful to eat.
Ingredients
Oat Base
- 1 cup butter or refined coconut oil
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups oats
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp fine sea salt
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter (chunky or smooth)
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside for easy removal of the bars later.
- Make the oat mixture: In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt the butter or coconut oil. Add the coconut sugar and vanilla extract, stirring constantly to combine and dissolve the sugar.
- Incorporate oats and spices: Stir in the oats, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Continue stirring constantly for 4-5 minutes until the oats are evenly coated and slightly toasted, then remove from heat.
- Form the oat base layer: Pour just over half of the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a flat spatula to press and flatten the mixture evenly into the pan. Set the remaining oat mixture aside for topping.
- Prepare the chocolate peanut butter layer: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the dark chocolate chips and natural peanut butter. Stir continuously until the chocolate melts completely and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the chocolate and peanut butter mixture evenly over the oat base layer in the baking dish. Reserve 2-3 tablespoons of this mixture for drizzling later.
- Add the top layers: Crumble the remaining oat mixture evenly over the chocolate peanut butter layer. Drizzle the reserved chocolate peanut butter blend over the top for a decorative finish.
- Chill to set: Place the dish in the refrigerator for approximately 2 hours until the bars are firm and set.
- Slice and serve: Remove from fridge, lift the bars out using the parchment paper, and slice into 16 squares. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use refined coconut oil instead of liquid coconut oil to ensure proper consistency.
- If you prefer a sweeter bar, you may add a little more coconut sugar to the oat mixture.
- You can substitute dark chocolate chips with semi-sweet or milk chocolate depending on your preference.
- These bars should be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- For a nut-free version, substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter.
