No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars - These delicious treats taste like chocolate chip peanut butter cookie dough! Made with healthy ingredients, no baking needed!
It seems almost every day, I look at the clock when it's 12:34 p.m.
It's uncanny.
My husband suggests electromagnetic forces, but perhaps this is when culinary brilliance hits?
I created these bars during this time, so let's call it genius.
No baking required
Baking can be so fussy, so it's nice to make a dessert that's a bit more laid back.
No-bake treats also come in handy during the hot summer months when the last thing anyone wants to do is heat up the house via the oven!
These were inspired by my Double Layer Chocolate Cookie Bars.
I found myself continually eating just the top half or saving it for last, like the cream in an Oreo, so I decided to make an entire pan of just the cookie dough layer.
With the next batch, I added peanut butter, and a star was born.
FAQs
Can these be made without milk?
Some kind of milk (whatever you tolerate and/or like) should be used in this recipe. It adds a creamy texture, as well as flavor.
Keep in mind that these bars will last only as long as your milk, so keep them in the freezer, and they will last longer
You can substitute water, if you like, but they won't be as creamy.
Is it okay to eat raw oats?
The main reason behind not eating raw oats has to do with the phytic acid content. Phytic acid is known in many health circles as an 'anti-nutrient' because it can bind to useful minerals, like iron and zinc.
Phytic acid is the main reason behind the soaking of various grains and nuts/seeds, as the soaking process lowers the acid's binding ability.
I've seen phytic acid villianized for years, but did you know there are benefits to it?
I became particularly interested in the benefits after being exposed to mold, as phytic acid is a binder for mycotoxins (toxins produced by mold).
Ergo, eating raw oats can have benefits (and they're delicious!).
I find these highly addictive!
Every time I pass by the fridge, my hand is magnetized to them!...maybe that's what I'm supposed to be doing at 12:34 p.m.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup milk of your choice
- 3 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ⅛ teaspoon salt use 1/4 teaspoon if using unsalted peanut butter
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon optional
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 75 grams oat flour (about 3/4 cup)
- 3 Tablespoons chopped dark chocolate or cacao nibs
Instructions
- Begin with room temperature ingredients. This is important, as coconut oil will clump when mixed with anything that is cold.
- Whisk the peanut butter, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.
- Whisk in the coconut oil.
- Stir in the oat flour.
- Top with chocolate or mix it in.
- Pour the mix into a well-oiled 7 x 5 inch Pyrex dish (or another small container).
- Freeze until set.
- Cut and enjoy!
Notes
WW Points: 4
Nutrition
Tea
These are lovely.
I've never seen this "oat flour+milk then chill" combination anywhere before, did you make that up yourself? It's such a great idea, but I'd never have thought of it myself. I bookmarked all the raw bars you use that in, but made these first just out of curiosity. It really becomes a nice fudgy texture.
I used a lot less sweetener than it says and am satisfied with the level of sweetness-just in case anybody else wonders if they'd be any good using less sweetener. I used some honey and powdered stevia.
Btw, I didn't want the coconut flavor, and didn't have the processed coconut oil, so I put just 1T butter. I don't mind anything about the finished product, but can't help but wonder if it can all be omitted. Is there a purpose for the fat in them? They'd toughen up even without it! (though my 'milk' was evaporated/condensed milk(unsweetened) with 1T water, so that maybe helped them be less watery?). Anyways, I really liked them and can't wait to try the snickers bars. I love your work.
Lauren
I'm so happy you liked them Tea! Yes, the oat, milk, oil is my idea, as I can't eat nuts very well. I hope you love the Snickers bars as well, they are a favorite around here. 🙂
Melissa
How can these have no carbs if they have 12 grams of sugar? I'm confused.
Lauren
Hi Melissa,
I'm confused as well by what you're seeing...the info reads 12 grams carbs per bar.
Lucinda
Do you think you could replace the oats with coconut to make this nut-free?
Thanks so much!!
Lauren
Hi Lucinda,
Do you mean grain-free? If you're looking to avoid grains, try almond meal. Oats are already nut-free. 🙂
Dieter
Ignore my email. I see the zero is for fats. My bad.
Dieter
Would you please explain how this recipe has zero carbs. The oats alone have 40 gm of carbs.
Ardysez
Just made this and it is awesome. Love it! Thank you.
Lauren
That's awesome, thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles
Oh yes, I'm listening too 🙂
These bars sound really good!
I hope you don't mind if I use it in the food fight feature tomorrow (photo and link back only!)
Lauren
Sounds great Lyuba, thank you!
Lisa
Do you store them in fridge or freezer? They look great!
Lauren
I keep mine in the fridge. They hold together, but are still soft enough to cut and eat. I hope you get a chance to try them! They are one of my favorite treats right now. 😀
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur
This sounds amazing, Lauren! I'm always a fan of your desserts, and how simple and healthy they are. This one is a winner for sure!
Lauren
Thanks so much Jodye! 😀
Kelly Caffery
Oops... I accidentally hit the publish button before I finished! :/
These look awesome!! Do you think I could use ground nuts in place of the oats as I don't have any on hand at the moment. Also, what do you think about using a different kind of nut butter like pecan butter???
Anyways, these look really good and I can't wait to try!
Lauren
Thanks Kelly! I think you could definitely make both substitutions easily. The pecan butter sounds like a delicious choice! 😀
Kelly Caffery
These look
Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents
These look AWESOME!!! Visiting from Slightly Indulgent Tuesday. Pinned. 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
I wonder if you stayed up later if you'd have a second stroke of culinary brilliance at 1234 am? I think you should try it- then we will get to see even more delicious recipes like this one 😉
Lauren
Haha! Gabby, I think you may be my sista from another mista! 😀
Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life
Pb is one of my favorite ingredients! Love it in these bars! Nice and dense, and easy in the summer. I know the number that would show up if you gave me a pan of these ... Zero!
Lauren
AHAHA! That seriously made me laugh out loud!
Andrea
Umm... yum! These look great! How simple! Pinning it, and planning on making these soon!
Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday!
Davida @The Healthy Maven
Consider this pinned! Love love love this recipe!
Lauren
Thanks Davida! 😀
Lindsay
I just ate the last of the sunflower butter last night for, um, dinner (yes, straight out of the jar), or else I would be making these tonight.
The numbers 1 and 7 somehow always work their way into my day - together or separately and always have significance. For example, my birthday is 7/1, my address is 700 BlahBlah Avenue, Unit 107 (completely unplanned, just the one I liked the best), and I always seem to look at the clock when it's some combination of those numbers.
Lauren
That's interesting! I actually do see 1234 in other places too. Yesterday, I looked right at the oven timer when there was 12 minutes and 34 seconds left to go. Yours is so personal though! Maybe everyone has this, but some just have a knack for numbers. 🙂
Amy @ The Little Honey Bee
These look awesome! Feeding to my peanut butter addiction and I am more than okay with that 🙂 pinned!