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    Home » Recipes » Healthy Desserts

    No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

    Published: Jul 29, 2013 · Modified: Jun 24, 2022 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 31 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    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.

    pb11

    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.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

    These delicious treats taste like chocolate chip peanut butter cookie dough! Made with healthy ingredients, no baking needed!
    Prep Time10 mins
    Chill Time:1 hr
    Total Time1 hr 10 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: No-bake, Oats, Vegan
    Servings: 9 bars
    Calories: 138kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    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

    Nutrition facts are based on using unsweetened almond milk and three tablespoons of chopped dark chocolate.
    WW Points: 4

    Nutrition

    Sodium: 56mg | Sugar: 6.2g | Fiber: 1.1g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Calories: 138kcal | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 6.4g | Fat: 9.4g | Protein: 2.1g | Carbohydrates: 12g

    IMG_7663

     

    pb77

     

     

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    Filed Under: Healthy Desserts, Oatmeal Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tea

      August 19, 2015 at 8:27 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 19, 2015 at 8:56 am

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Melissa

      January 13, 2015 at 4:47 pm

      How can these have no carbs if they have 12 grams of sugar? I'm confused.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 13, 2015 at 7:32 pm

        Hi Melissa,

        I'm confused as well by what you're seeing...the info reads 12 grams carbs per bar.

        Reply
    3. Lucinda

      August 01, 2014 at 8:03 am

      Do you think you could replace the oats with coconut to make this nut-free?
      Thanks so much!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 01, 2014 at 8:50 am

        Hi Lucinda,

        Do you mean grain-free? If you're looking to avoid grains, try almond meal. Oats are already nut-free. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Dieter

      October 07, 2013 at 7:10 am

      Ignore my email. I see the zero is for fats. My bad.

      Reply
    5. Dieter

      October 07, 2013 at 7:07 am

      Would you please explain how this recipe has zero carbs. The oats alone have 40 gm of carbs.

      Reply
    6. Ardysez

      September 10, 2013 at 12:10 am

      Just made this and it is awesome. Love it! Thank you.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        September 10, 2013 at 7:10 am

        That's awesome, thanks for letting me know! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Lyuba@willcookforsmiles

      August 31, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      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!)

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 31, 2013 at 8:20 pm

        Sounds great Lyuba, thank you!

        Reply
    8. Lisa

      August 22, 2013 at 12:34 pm

      Do you store them in fridge or freezer? They look great!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        August 22, 2013 at 1:03 pm

        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. 😀

        Reply
    9. jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur

      July 31, 2013 at 1:25 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 31, 2013 at 1:59 pm

        Thanks so much Jodye! 😀

        Reply
    10. Kelly Caffery

      July 31, 2013 at 9:15 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 31, 2013 at 10:51 am

        Thanks Kelly! I think you could definitely make both substitutions easily. The pecan butter sounds like a delicious choice! 😀

        Reply
    11. Kelly Caffery

      July 31, 2013 at 9:13 am

      These look

      Reply
    12. Stacy @Stacy Makes Cents

      July 30, 2013 at 3:24 am

      These look AWESOME!!! Visiting from Slightly Indulgent Tuesday. Pinned. 🙂

      Reply
    13. Gabby @ the veggie nook

      July 29, 2013 at 7:41 pm

      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 😉

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 29, 2013 at 7:48 pm

        Haha! Gabby, I think you may be my sista from another mista! 😀

        Reply
    14. Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life

      July 29, 2013 at 6:33 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 29, 2013 at 7:29 pm

        AHAHA! That seriously made me laugh out loud!

        Reply
    15. Andrea

      July 29, 2013 at 10:37 am

      Umm... yum! These look great! How simple! Pinning it, and planning on making these soon!

      Thanks for sharing on Natural Living Monday!

      Reply
    16. Davida @The Healthy Maven

      July 29, 2013 at 6:57 am

      Consider this pinned! Love love love this recipe!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 29, 2013 at 7:10 am

        Thanks Davida! 😀

        Reply
    17. Lindsay

      July 29, 2013 at 6:46 am

      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.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        July 29, 2013 at 7:10 am

        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. 🙂

        Reply
    18. Amy @ The Little Honey Bee

      July 29, 2013 at 5:33 am

      These look awesome! Feeding to my peanut butter addiction and I am more than okay with that 🙂 pinned!

      Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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