Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (No-Bake)

Name: Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars (No-Bake)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 1 cup peanut butter (creamy); ½ cup pure honey; ½ cup coconut oil (solid); 1 ¼ cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (see note); 2 cups old fashioned oats (uncooked); 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened or sweetened); ½ cup chopped nuts of your choice (I use pecans or walnuts); 1 tsp pure vanilla extract; shredded coconut (optional, extra for topping)

By Amy Dong
Updated Sep. 5, 2024

5 from 1 vote
2 comments
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These Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are easy, unbelievably yummy, and packed with a boost of healthy energy. A perfect blend of chocolate and peanut butter, this no-bake recipe is ready in 20 minutes.

Close-up shot of two chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars, topped with shredded coconut. — Try these Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars for a boost of healthy, delicious energy.

Why This Recipe Stands Out

Here’s why you’ll love this recipe:

Super Easy: This recipe uses easy-to-find ingredients and comes together quickly, like our Forever Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
No-Bake: No need to turn on the oven for these bars! Similar to our Peanut Butter Chocolate Crispy Bars.
Healthy Ingredients: This recipe is packed with nutritious ingredients like oats, coconut, and nuts, making them a perfect, guilt-free snack.
No Refined Sugar: These bars are sweetened with honey, making them a healthier alternative to traditional dessert bars, like these 5-Ingredient Protein Bars!
Kids Love Them: Even our kids and teenagers love these. You’ll feel so good about packing these up for them!

Key Recipe Ingredients

Protein Bars ingredients are peanut butter, oats, honey, whey protein powder.

Creamy Peanut Butter – The creamy peanut butter not only adds a rich, nutty flavor but also acts as tasty binder.
Pure Honey – Honey not only adds a touch of natural sweetness but also helps to soften the bars, giving them a chewy texture.
Coconut Oil – Coconut oil adds a hint of flavor and helps to firm up the bars, giving them structure once they cool.
Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – Mini chips melt easier than regular-sized chips, and their mini size ensures a more even distribution of chocolate throughout the bars.
Old Fashioned Oats – The oats add a hearty, chewy texture and are a good source of fiber.
Shredded Coconut – It adds a slightly chewy texture and great flavor.
Chopped Nuts – We love using either pecans or walnuts for an added crunch. They also add a nice nutty flavor to the bars.

Substitutions And Variations

Here are our favorite substitutions and variations:

Nut Butter: The creamy peanut butter can be substituted with almond butter or any other nut or seed butter. If you use a natural nut butter, make sure it is well-stirred and not too runny.
Sweetener: Pure honey can be substituted with maple syrup for a vegan version. We also recommend trying our Vegan Pumpkin Bread this fall!
Chocolate Chips: Dark chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips would also work well in this recipe, as they do in our White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins.
Nut-Free: Feel free to substitute the nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a nut-free version, or try our Nut-Free Healthy Cookies!
No Coconut: Feel free to omit the shredded coconut flakes, if desired.

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

protein bars peanut butter mixture in pan.

In a large saucepan, melt peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil over medium-low heat. Turn off the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until just melted.
Add oats, coconut, nuts, and vanilla to the melted mixture. Stir until fully incorporated.
Pour the chocolate mixture into a greased 9×13-inch pan. Spread it out evenly and sprinkle extra coconut if desired. Chill for several hours or overnight.
Cut the hardened mixture into squares and serve chilled. Keep the bars covered and chilled to prevent melting.

For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.

How To Prep Ahead

Take a look at our favorite prep ahead tips and strategies:

Make-Ahead: These chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Take out of the fridge for 10 minutes to soften before serving if desired.
Freeze for Later: These bars also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let them thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.

A white plate with two chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars, topped with shredded coconut. — These Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are deliciously sweetened only with pure honey and chocolate.

Commonly Asked Questions

What type of oats should I use for this recipe?

We recommend using old-fashioned oats for this no-bake oatmeal bars recipe. Quick oats may become too mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t have enough time to soften. Old-fashioned oats strike the perfect balance and provide a satisfying chewy texture to the bars.

Can I use any type of nut for this recipe?

Yes, you can use any type of nut or a mix of nuts for this recipe. We like to use pecans or walnuts, but almonds, cashews, or even peanuts would work well. If you have a nut allergy, you can simply omit the nuts altogether, or try your favorite seeds instead.

How do I store these bars?

These no-bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep well for up to 2 weeks, although they are so delicious they may not last that long.

Can I freeze these bars?

Yes, you can freeze these bars for up to 3 months. Simply place them in a freezer-friendly container or wrap them in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Thaw them in the refrigerator when you’re ready to enjoy.

Do I have to use coconut?

You can omit the shredded coconut completely, if preferred. We do like using coconut oil, as it solidifies upon chilling and will help keep the structure of bars.

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