Just 4 ingredients go into making these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares. Smooth homemade peanut butter and chunks of dark chocolate combined with sticky and sweet oats for a little treats that kids, and adults, are going to love! These peanut butter bars take just 10 minutes to put together.
These oat squares are so simple to make, that even kids can get involved. You can mix it all together with a spoon, but where is the fun in that? I prefer to get my hands in and get all messy, which kids would love to do too.
The perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter, these bars make a great snack or dessert. Minimal ingredients and very little prep time, these are our go-to for something sweet, filling and delicious.
If you are looking for more recipes that use peanut butter, why not try our delicious Peanut Butter Banana Muffins, simple Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie Bowl or our Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich?
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Why you will love them
- Only 4 ingredients - These no bake peanut butter bars are SO easy to make, and you probably already have the ingredients for them.
- Easy to store and freeze - These are great for batch cooking, as you can freeze them and just get one out when you need to.
- Simple recipe for kids to help with - If you are looking to get your kids more involved in the kitchen, then this is an easy recipe to start with.
- Easy to adapt with different flavours - We have given lots of different ways to adapt these chocolate peanut butter bars so you can make them a different way every time.
- Vegan - If you use maple syrup and a vegan chocolate, then these are vegan too.
Ingredients needed
- Oats - We used jumbo oats as we find they have the best texture.
- Chocolate - We love the intense flavour of dark chocolate, so that is what we use. But you could add some extra flavour by using a flavoured chocolate like orange or mint.
- Peanut Butter - Try to use the best quality peanut butter you can, as it will make a difference. You can also swap it for cashew or almond butter.
- Maple Syrup - This is where the sweetness comes from. You can use honey instead if you prefer.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make no bake chocolate peanut butter bars - Step by step
One: In a pan, gently heat the peanut butter until it isn't so stiff and then take off the heat.
Two: Put the oats into a large bowl with the chunks of chocolate and pour in the peanut butter and maple syrup.
Three: Mix well.
Four: Line a rectangular dish with baking paper and put the mixture in the pan, pressing it down to fill the dish.
Five: Put the dish in the fridge for 2 hours, then cut into squares and serve.
Are they healthy?
Whilst they aren't super low in calories, there are no crazy ingredients and additives and you can freeze them for portion control. I am a firm believer that most things that you make from home are going to be that little bit healthier, because you can control the ingredients.
Oats are a natural superfood. Being 100% wholegrain they are an excellent source of fibre, protein, vitamins and antioxidants. So, in addition to being nutritious and sustaining, they offer the body many positive health benefits.
Variations
If you have a peanut allergy but can eat other nuts, then you can easily make this with other nut butters, or even seed butters to make it totally nut free. We often make a cashew butter version that is really creamy.
If you are going to use peanut butter, why not make our own Homemade Peanut Butter? It's so simple to make and works out a lot cheaper.
You can add chunks of nuts and seeds into these, as well as some dried fruit which would make them more like a granola bar.
What to serve with chocolate peanut butter bars
These are pretty big, so we wouldn't serve it with anything else to eat, maybe some fruit on the side to lighten it all up a little. However, we do love a hot drink or smoothie to go with one of these for an afternoon pick-me-up. Why not try one of these:
- Hot Chocolate Spoons
- Chai Tea Latte
- Banana Milk
- Cinnamon Coffee
- Apple Pie Smoothie
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate
- Cinnamon Mocha
FAQs
For this recipe we used organic jumbo oats as they add a nice texture to the recipe. Steel cut oats will also work well.
Quick cook oats are much more processed than rolled oats, so don't work as well. They are processed to cook fast (as the name implies!) so they can become mushy when they come into contact with any liquid.
These can be kept in the fridge for up to a week. They are easy to freeze too. Once you have cut them into squares, you can individually wrap them and put them in the freezer. They will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just get them out one at a time when you need them - perfect for lunch boxes.
The only non-vegan part of these is the chocolate. Simply swap that out for one of the many great non-dairy chocolates available and you have yourself a vegan chocolate nut butter treat!
Extra tips
• Add different flavours to the mixture like mint extract, orange or vanilla essence for a flavoured oat square.
• Why not add some crushed nuts for an extra nutty boost?
• These are quite sweet so add a pinch of sea salt to the mixture to compliment the sweetness.
• Dried fruit makes a nice addition, and we love dried cherries as they go really well with the chocolate.
More chocolate recipes
If you’ve tried this no-bake oat squares recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares
Ingredients
- 320 g (4 cups) Organic jumbo oats
- 170 g (1 cups) Chocolate - 70% Dark; cut into small chunks
- 170 g (0.66 cups) Peanut butter
- 170 ml (0.5 cups) Maple syrup
Instructions
- In a pan, gently heat 170 g Peanut butter until it isn't so stiff and then take off the heat.
- Put 320 g Organic jumbo oats into a large bowl with the chunks of 170 g Chocolate and pour in the peanut butter and 170 ml Maple syrup.
- Mix well.
- Line a rectangular dish with baking paper and put the mixture in the pan, pressing it down to fill the dish.
- Put the pan in the fridge for 2 hours, then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Add different flavours to the mixture like mint extract, orange or vanilla essence for a flavoured oat square.
- Why not add some crushed nuts for an extra nutty boost?
- These are quite sweet so add a pinch of sea salt to the mixture to compliment the sweetness.
- Dried fruit makes a nice addition, and we love dried cherries as they go really well with the chocolate.
Amy
This looks lovely! It reminds me of my Auntie as she used to make me these squares using Mars Bars.
Our Love Challenges
Well this is just great. Looks delicious. I'll try it tonight, although I think I might need help from my girlfriend! Haha!
Natalia
Love no bake treats especially in this weather! Will give it a go and surely my family willl love it!
Stephanie Merry
Chocolate and peanut better is one of my favourite combinations x
Christine
Love all the flavors in here - Especially using maple syrup as a sweetener. Delicious!
Michelle | The Last Food Blog
Yes to no bake treats! These will be perfect for the Summer holidays and I love the idea of freezing them for portion control!
Melanie
As they have oats in them, they are basically breakfast, right?! ;)
Alice Fairman
It's a running joke in my family about how bad I am at making desserts, but this looks really simple. I might add some orange essence too, as I love chocolate orange.
Maria @ Maria Runs
I made these at the weekend- they are delicious and so much easier to make than flapjacks.
Lucy Parissi
Everything in moderation and these no bake bars look delicious! I think we can call them healthy since they have lovely oats in them ;)
Janice
I love oaty bars, but I've never tried making a no bake version and, I admit, I am intrigued, will have to try this recipe to see what it is like.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
Yum, yum, and yum. I am a sucker for no bake treats! These look delicious. Love how few ingredients there are too and those giant oats...they look awesome! We always have oats in our cupboard, next time they need stocking up I'll be buying these!
Diane
I'm going to give this a go with hazelnut butter and hope that it tastes a bit like Nutella. They look amazing!
Shelly
It's far too hot to be having the oven on at the moment, so it's great that these are no bake. And no fancy ingrdients too!
cookilicious
no-bake recipes always connect with me. I love quick & easy recipes that can be made by anyone. These square bites sound delish. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Laura
Great recipe and great choice of oats. My husband is Irish and every time he goes back to Ireland he brings back some. It is true, they are very different, as you said much creamier and with a nutty taste. I look forward to try your recipe
Brandi Crawford
No bake is perfect for summer! I am always looking for treats that do not require the oven.
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Oats are so good for your heart. Love the fact that these oats by Whites are organic too, and who doesn't like chocolate and peanut butter together?