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Indulge in these scrumptious No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars, a perfect blend of rich flavors and textures that will satisfy your sweet cravings. With a simple, foolproof recipe that combines peanut butter, chocolate, and nuts, this delicious treat is ideal for a quick dessert or an energizing snack.
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
As a self-proclaimed food lover, I’m always on the hunt for tasty treats that are simple to prepare and can cater to various occasions. These no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars are just that – a luscious combination of chocolate, peanut butter, oats, and nuts, creating a delightful dessert that’s not only mouthwatering but also quick and easy to whip up.
With a recipe that’s perfect for when you’re short on time or don’t want to turn on your oven, these bars are a must-try for anyone who loves indulging in a good, homemade dessert. One of the reasons I adore this recipe is its versatility. You can serve these no-bake bars at a family gathering, a potluck with friends, or even as an after-school snack for your kids.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Preparation: These no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars require minimal effort and no oven time, making them a perfect choice for those who want a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Customizable Ingredients: The recipe allows for easy customization, enabling you to use your favorite type of chocolate, swap out nuts, or add dried fruits to create a unique flavor profile tailored to your taste preferences.
- Versatile Snack or Dessert: The bars are ideal for various occasions, such as family gatherings, potlucks, or as an after-school snack, providing a satisfying treat that’s both tasty and energizing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Peanut Butter: A creamy, rich base that provides a smooth texture and nutty flavor. Substitute with almond or cashew butter for a different taste.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that helps bind the ingredients together. You can use maple syrup or agave syrup as alternatives.
- Coconut Oil: Solid at room temperature, it aids in setting the bars while adding a subtle hint of coconut. Replace with butter or vegan butter for a similar effect.
- Rolled Oats: Gives the bars a chewy texture and contributes to their structure. Use quick oats or gluten-free oats if needed.
- Shredded Coconut: Adds texture and a tropical taste. Unsweetened or sweetened can be used, and for those not fond of coconut, simply omit or replace with more oats or chopped nuts.
- Walnuts: Offers a crunchy contrast to the bars’ smoothness. Substitute with almonds, pecans, or any other preferred nuts.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Provide a rich chocolate flavor that complements the peanut butter. Swap with milk or white chocolate chips, or use a chopped chocolate bar.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the bars. Almond extract or a dash of cinnamon can be used as alternatives for a different twist.
Combine Key Ingredients
First, let’s grab a medium saucepan and combine the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. We’ll heat it over medium-low heat, stirring until everything’s smooth and well-blended. Then, we can take it off the heat.
Mix In Remaining Ingredients
Now we’ll toss in the rolled oats, shredded coconut, walnuts, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract. Give it a good stir until the chocolate’s completely melted and everything’s nicely mixed together.
Prepare The Baking Pan
Let’s get an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper. This will make it much easier to lift the bars out later.
Transfer The Mixture To The Pan And Chill
Time to pour our mixture into the prepared pan. Just smooth out the top so it’s even. Pop the pan into the fridge and let it chill for about 3 hours, or until the mixture is set and firm.
Cut And Serve
Finally the wait is over. Simply remove the pan from the fridge and use the parchment paper to pull it out. Cut it into squares and serve.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make these bars gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats. Be sure to check the labels of other ingredients to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Can I use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
Yes, you can use natural peanut butter, but make sure to stir it well before using, as the oils tend to separate. Keep in mind that natural peanut butter may result in a slightly different texture and consistency for the bars.
Are these bars vegan-friendly?
To make the bars vegan, replace honey with maple syrup or agave syrup, use dairy-free chocolate chips, and opt for a vegan-friendly alternative to coconut oil, such as vegan butter.
Expert Tips
- Ensure Even Chilling: For consistent firmness and texture, make sure the mixture is spread evenly in the pan before chilling. This helps the bars set properly and makes cutting them into squares easier.
- Customize Your Bars: Feel free to get creative and add other ingredients such as dried fruits, chia seeds, or different nuts to create a unique flavor and texture profile. Experiment with various combinations to find your perfect version of these bars.
- Use a Hot Knife for Clean Cuts: To achieve clean, precise cuts when slicing the chilled bars, run a sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, and then make the cuts. The heat from the knife will make it easier to slice through the bars without them breaking or crumbling.
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Other Delicious Recipes To Try
- Slow Cooker Chocolate Candy
- Chocolate Swiss Roll Cake
- Peanut Butter Fudge
- Easy Chocolate Fudge
- Lemon Cheesecake
- Baklava
- Rainbow Fruit Skewers with Yogurt Dip
- Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
- Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats
- No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter smooth
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup shredded coconut I used sweetened, unsweetened coconut can be used as well
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
- 1¼ cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan add the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil. Melt over medium-low heat. Stir until smooth and remove from heat.
- Add in the rolled oats, shredded coconut, walnuts, chocolate chips and vanilla extract. Stir until all the chocolate has melted completely and everything is well incorporated.
- Line a 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, so that it’s easier to get the bars out.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out the top. Refrigerate for about 3 hours until it sets.
- Remove from the fridge and using the parchment paper to pull it out. Cut it into squares and serve.
Tips & Notes:
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just make sure to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Press Firmly: When transferring the mixture to the pan, press it down firmly with a spatula or your hands to ensure a compact, uniform texture. This will help the bars hold their shape better when cutting and serving.
- Adjust Sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet treat, opt for unsweetened shredded coconut and reduce the amount of honey. Alternatively, for a sweeter taste, you can increase the honey or use sweetened shredded coconut.
- Quick Chill: If you’re short on time, you can speed up the chilling process by placing the bars in the freezer for about an hour instead of the refrigerator for three hours. Just make sure to check on them and ensure they’ve reached the desired firmness before removing them from the freezer.
Hi Jo! I’d love to share these with my apartment bldg neighbors, but 1 has a deadly allergy to peanuts. As I use neither cashew or almond butter, it would be a waste of $ for me to purchase it for 1 recipe.
Do you think I could use Nutella instead? Many thanks, as always!
Hi there! Using Nutella is a great idea and should work well as a substitute for peanut butter in the recipe. It will give the bars a deliciously rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor. Enjoy sharing them with your neighbors!
Hi! I would like to try this recipe (Looks great!) but I do not want to use coconut oil. Is there another oil or type of oil that I can use in this recipe? Thanks!
Hi Janice,
You can work with something lighter like grapeseed oil, but the purpose of the coconut oil here is to give it that rich flavor. Let us know how you like them once you try this recipe out!
This was amazing
Can you freeze them?
For sure!
Hey Jo,
These bars sound incredible! Could i cut down on the amount of oil called for?
Yep!
Sooooo delicious! I used more walnuts and rice crispies instead of the coconut. Better than any store bought candy bar. Thank you for this recipe.
Do I have to use coconut, hubby doesn’t like it.
No you don’t, you can skip it or use another nut you like.
Hello – instead of smooth peanut butter, could crunchy be used?
Thank you! Love your blog 🙂
Hi Nan!! You sure can!
So delish, made these for the Holidays, but I think I’ll have to make another batch. They’re almost gone!
Thanks for yet another fab recipe.
Just wondering if I could use anything else to replace the coconut oil?
Any nut butter, like cashew butter should work, but there’s also shredded coconut in there, so you can replace that with crispy rice cereal, which would be really nice.
This is so easy and hit all the marks! Chocolate and peanut butter!
I prefer no bake recipes too! plus who doesn´t love the combination between chocolate and peanut butter? these bars sound so good!!!
They are! Hope you try them!
If you don’t have coconut oil, and I don’t, what type of oil can one use? Would EVOO be ok? That I have!
I’d go with something light, maybe like grape seed oil, but the coconut oil really flavors the bars.