Description
Delicious and easy No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars made with rolled oats, peanut butter, cocoa, and honey. These bars are perfect for a quick snack or dessert, requiring no oven and minimal prep time, resulting in a chewy, chocolatey treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Topping
- 1/2 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), cocoa powder, and salt. Stir continuously until smooth and fully combined.
- Mix in Vanilla and Oats: Remove the saucepan from heat, stir in the vanilla extract, then mix in the rolled oats until they are fully coated with the chocolate-peanut butter mixture.
- Press into a Pan: Transfer the mixture into a lined or greased square pan. Pack it down firmly and evenly with a spatula or your hands to form the base layer.
- Make the Chocolate Topping: In a small saucepan over low heat (or microwave in short bursts), melt the chocolate chips with the unsalted butter and optional peanut butter, stirring frequently until smooth and glossy.
- Spread Topping Over Base: Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the oat base and carefully spread it out evenly to cover the entire surface.
- Chill and Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the bars to set and firm up completely.
- Cut and Serve: Once set, remove from the fridge, slice into 16 bars, and enjoy your no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookie bars.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, substitute sunflower seed butter for peanut butter.
- Use maple syrup to keep it vegan; honey is not vegan.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Adding a pinch of sea salt on top of the chocolate layer before chilling can enhance flavor.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts or dried fruit to the base mixture for extra texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
