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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Dessert

    No-Bake Chocolate and Peanut Butter Oat Squares

    Published: Jul 7, 2017 · Modified: May 10, 2021 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Gluten Free / Vegan
    No bake chocolate oat squares with a text title overlay.

    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.

    A stack of four Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares.

    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?

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love them
    • Ingredients needed
    • How to make no bake chocolate peanut butter bars - Step by step
    • Are they healthy?
    • Variations
    • What to serve with chocolate peanut butter bars
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More chocolate recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    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.

    A saucepan with nut butter melting in it.

    Two: Put the oats into a large bowl with the chunks of chocolate and pour in the peanut butter and maple syrup.

    A mixing bowl containing oats, chocolate chunks, maple syrup and melted nut butter.

    Three: Mix well.

    A mixing bowl with a sticky chocolate and oat mix.

    Four: Line a rectangular dish with baking paper and put the mixture in the pan, pressing it down to fill the dish.

    A lined baking dish with an oat and chocolate mix pressed into it.

    Five: Put the dish in the fridge for 2 hours, then cut into squares and serve.

    A slab of chocolate and peanut butter oats cut into squares.

    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.

    Chocolate oat squares cut into sections.

    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
    Four Oat Squares on a wooden surface.

    FAQs

    What oats are best?

    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.

    How to store them

    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.

    How to make vegan peanut butter bars

    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!

    heart icon

    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

    • A square of chocolate raspberry brownie.
      Healthy Chocolate Raspberry Brownies
    • Mint Chocolate Dessert in a glass topped with chocolate chips and mint leaves.
      Mint Chocolate Dessert
    • A bowl of chocolate popcorn.
      Easy Chocolate Popcorn
    • A plate of cubes of chocolate fudge.
      Slow Cooker Chocolate Fudge

    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

    Four Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares surrounded by crumbs on a wooden surface.

    No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Squares

    By: Dannii
    Just 4 ingredients go into making these No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares. They are a little treat that kids, and adults, are going to love!
    A circular logo saying GF.
    Gluten Free
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant in a pot.
    Vegan
    4.88 from 32 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Prep: 10 minutes mins
    Chilling time: 2 hours hrs
    Total: 2 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Servings: 15 people
    Calories: 238kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of four different nuts.
    Nuts
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1square | Calories: 238kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 65mg | Potassium: 259mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2.5mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy

      July 11, 2017 at 2:25 pm

      This looks lovely! It reminds me of my Auntie as she used to make me these squares using Mars Bars.

      Reply
    2. Our Love Challenges

      July 11, 2017 at 11:09 am

      5 stars
      Well this is just great. Looks delicious. I'll try it tonight, although I think I might need help from my girlfriend! Haha!

      Reply
    3. Natalia

      July 11, 2017 at 11:00 am

      5 stars
      Love no bake treats especially in this weather! Will give it a go and surely my family willl love it!

      Reply
    4. Stephanie Merry

      July 10, 2017 at 11:48 am

      Chocolate and peanut better is one of my favourite combinations x

      Reply
    5. Christine

      July 10, 2017 at 10:42 am

      5 stars
      Love all the flavors in here - Especially using maple syrup as a sweetener. Delicious!

      Reply
    6. Michelle | The Last Food Blog

      July 10, 2017 at 9:25 am

      Yes to no bake treats! These will be perfect for the Summer holidays and I love the idea of freezing them for portion control!

      Reply
    7. Melanie

      July 10, 2017 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      As they have oats in them, they are basically breakfast, right?! ;)

      Reply
    8. Alice Fairman

      July 10, 2017 at 7:31 am

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    9. Maria @ Maria Runs

      July 10, 2017 at 6:54 am

      5 stars
      I made these at the weekend- they are delicious and so much easier to make than flapjacks.

      Reply
    10. Lucy Parissi

      July 09, 2017 at 9:03 pm

      5 stars
      Everything in moderation and these no bake bars look delicious! I think we can call them healthy since they have lovely oats in them ;)

      Reply
    11. Janice

      July 09, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    12. Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs

      July 09, 2017 at 5:09 pm

      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!

      Reply
    13. Diane

      July 09, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      I'm going to give this a go with hazelnut butter and hope that it tastes a bit like Nutella. They look amazing!

      Reply
    14. Shelly

      July 09, 2017 at 5:03 pm

      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!

      Reply
    15. cookilicious

      July 09, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      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.

      Reply
    16. Laura

      July 09, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      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

      Reply
    17. Brandi Crawford

      July 09, 2017 at 2:07 pm

      5 stars
      No bake is perfect for summer! I am always looking for treats that do not require the oven.

      Reply
    18. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry

      July 09, 2017 at 11:40 am

      5 stars
      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?

      Reply
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