Go Back

No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Oat Bars

These no-bake oat bars are chewy, chocolatey, and packed with peanut butter—my easiest dessert when I don’t want to turn on the oven.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Desserts
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Oat Layer
  • 2 1/2 cups rolled oats old-fashioned
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Chocolate Topping
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil helps chocolate slice cleanly
Optional Finish
  • 1/4 cup peanuts chopped
  • flaky sea salt to taste

Equipment

  • 8x8-inch pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe bowl

Method
 

  1. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
  2. In a bowl, stir together rolled oats and salt.
  3. Warm peanut butter and maple syrup in the microwave for 20–30 seconds until pourable; stir in vanilla.
  4. Pour the peanut butter mixture over the oats and mix until evenly coated.
  5. Press firmly into the prepared pan (pack it tight for clean slices).
  6. Melt chocolate chips with coconut oil in 20-second bursts, stirring until smooth.
  7. Spread chocolate evenly on top. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and flaky salt if using.
  8. Chill 45 minutes (or until set), then lift out and slice into bars.

Notes

Storage: Keep refrigerated up to 1 week, or freeze up to 2 months. Swaps: Use almond butter or sunflower butter. Texture tip: Press the oat layer very firmly so bars don’t crumble when sliced.