The classic melt-in-your-mouth chocolate oatmeal no bake bars are popular for a very good reason – they’re impossible to stop eating!
At first glance, traditional chocolate no bake recipes—made with wholesome oatmeal instead of flour—might seem like a healthy choice.
But with half a cup of butter and two full cups of refined sugar packed into traditional no bake bar recipes, they’re really not even close.
These homemade chocolate oatmeal no bake bars offer the perfect healthy alternative:
You get all of the wholesome ingredients, without all the extra butter and sugar.
I swapped out the sugar here for pure maple syrup and have also cut way back on the sweetener in general, and I substituted peanut butter for the butter, for an added protein boost you won’t even realize is in there.
Also Try These Buffalo Cauliflower Wings – Just 6 Ingredients
The recipe first came about during the Snowpocalypse 2016, when my then-boyfriend and I were trapped in my apartment while the snow relentlessly slammed down outside.
After watching about seven Daredevil episodes in a row, he looked at me and said, “So where are all the famous Chocolate Covered Katie baked goods?”
With no grocery stores open, I took stock of my pantry and pulled out every one of my favorite ingredients that I always have on hand:
Chocolate.
Peanut Butter.
Oatmeal.
Combining so many delicious ingredients into one easy-to-make and heart-healthy dessert was pretty much a guaranteed success right from the start.
I formed them into no bake cookie balls and put them on a plate.
The boy proceeded to eat eight of them… So I took that as a good sign!
Then we watched even more Daredevil, and ate pasta with jarred Ragu from 7/11 for dinner.
And swore we’d never tell.
Also try the recipe in cookie form –> Chocolate No Bake Cookies
Oatmeal Chocolate No Bake Bar Instructions
Step One: Prepare an 8-inch pan by lining it with parchment or wax paper.
Stir together the liquid ingredients, then combine with the oats and stir until evenly mixed.
Step Two: Smooth into the prepared pan, and press down with a spoon as hard as you can.
Really press down as hard as you can.
Transfer the pan to the freezer until the bars are firm enough to cut.
Step Three: Slice into bars, and enjoy!
Leftovers can be left out at room temperature for a few hours, but for optimum freshness I like to keep them in the fridge or freezer, where they last a few weeks…
If you don’t eat them all first!
Above, watch the video of how to make chocolate oatmeal no bake bars.
Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or allergy-friendly sub
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or honey or agave
- 1/4 cup butter or coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups quick oats (Here's a keto version)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment or wax. Set aside. Stir together the first three ingredients. Gently heat until the oil is melted and peanut butter is easily stir-able. Whisk in the vanilla extract and salt, stirring until completely smooth. Stir in the quick oats and cocoa powder until evenly coated. Smooth into the prepared pan, and press down with a spoon as hard as you can. Really pack it in. Freeze until firm enough to cut. Leftovers can stay out a few hours, but I like to keep them in the freezer for optimum freshness, where they last a few weeks.View Nutrition Facts
Video
Notes
More Healthy No Bake Recipes
Or this Avocado Chocolate Mousse
This is a fantastic recipe! I used GF Oates for guests with food sensitivity. To change it up I used cashew butter instead of peanut butter. Delicious! Sprinkled unsweetened coconut on the top for decoration. Thank you!
We don’t have much room in our freezer. Therefore, is there an alternative to freezing them?
Fridge
Katie, I just have to say first off that you are awesome……I am a very obese woman who struggles so much but you have helped me to find a better way to comfort myself with sweets without hurting myself so much physically…..THANK YOU!!
Just wondered if anyone else has issues with trying to print a recipe??? When I click the print recipe button it prints EVERYTHING, not just the recipe. I didn’t use to have that problem….is it just my computer??
Hi, I am so sorry for the trouble; that should NOT be happening. Thank you for letting me know! Hopefully it will be all fixed within the next few days. And thank you so much for the sweet comment 🙂
Sooooo delicious! Huge hit with my 4 kids, my hubby and myself! Thank you!
Dear Chocolate Covered K,
There is a slight problem with this recipe. It is so incredibly yummy that I cannot stop making these and eating these. Everyday my boys get home and ask me for a “bar”. I know exactly what they mean. They go digging through the freezer and if I’ve run out, I’m in big trouble. McDonalds is losing a big fortune, because, when I’m out for the day, I no longer have to stop and eat junk food: I just grab a bar out of a bag in my purse, and it holds me for a couple of hours. I love this because it utilizes healthful fats. To make it even more tasty, I add about 1/2 cup of shredded coconut. Last time I made these bars, I “accidentally” quadrupled the recipe. Oh, well! No longer do I need to bake: I love this “no bake” revolution. Thanks, Suzanne
Seriously awesome! Whole family loves..even my picky kids!thank u
delicious! i used only 1/8 cup of local honey, and added some coarsely chopped almonds…worked great!
Delicious and easy!
PS I added two handfuls of chocolate chips!
What a wonderful recipe! is it possible to do it by any chance without peanut butter? Are there any good alternatives that won’t change the consistency? Thank you for your help!
Coconut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter will all work.
I like to make this for women I know who have just given birth. They’re super easy to eat while nursing or juggling a baby, and the oats help with their supply if they’re breastfeeding. 🙂