No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

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🥣 The Recipe No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars 

  • Prep time: 15 minutes

  • Chilling time: 2 hours

  • Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Rolled oats (old-fashioned work best for texture)

  • ½ cup Creamy natural peanut butter (or almond butter)

  • ⅓ cup Honey or maple syrup

  • ¼ cup Virgin coconut oil

  • ¼ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract

  • ¼ tsp Sea salt

  • Optional: ½ cup dark chocolate chips or crushed walnuts for extra crunch.

Instructions

  1. Prep the Pan: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy lifting.

  2. Melt the Base: In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil. Stir constantly until completely melted and smooth.

  3. Flavor It: Remove from heat. Whisk in the cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt until no clumps remain.

  4. Mix: Fold in the rolled oats (and optional mix-ins) until every flake is thoroughly coated in the chocolate mixture.

  5. Press: Transfer the mixture to your prepared pan. Use a spatula (or the bottom of a glass) to press it down firmly. This ensures the bars don’t crumble later.

  6. Chill: Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until the bars are firm to the touch.

  7. Slice: Lift the parchment paper out of the pan, slice into 16 squares, and enjoy!

💡 Notes & Pro-Tips

  • The “Press” is Key: If you don’t press the mixture down hard enough, the bars will be “loose” and crumbly. Put some muscle into it!

  • Storage: These must stay refrigerated. Because of the coconut oil, they will soften significantly if left on the counter for too long.

  • Quick Set: If you’re in a rush, pop them in the freezer for 30–45 minutes instead of the fridge.

🥗 Nutritional Info & Benefits

Per serving (1 bar):

Calories Total Fat Net Carbs Protein Fiber
145 9g 12g 4g 2.5g

Why they’re good for you:

  • Sustained Energy: The complex carbs in oats provide a slow release of energy, avoiding the “spike and dip.”

  • Heart Healthy: Peanut butter and oats are champions for heart health, providing healthy fats and beta-glucan fiber.

  • Antioxidants: Raw cocoa powder is packed with flavonoids that help fight oxidative stress.

❓ Common Questions (Q&A)

Q: Can I use Instant/Quick oats instead? A: You can, but the texture will be much softer and denser. Rolled oats provide that classic “chew” that makes these bars satisfying.

Q: I have a nut allergy. What can I use? A: Sunflower seed butter (SunButter) is a fantastic 1:1 replacement for peanut butter in this recipe.

Q: Can I make these vegan? A: Absolutely. Just ensure you use maple syrup instead of honey and check that your chocolate chips (if using) are dairy-free.

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