No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Thick, chewy, and loaded with chocolate, these no bake chocolate oat bars are easy to make and need just five ingredients. They take minutes to make and are SO delicious.
I’ve tested this chocolate oatmeal bar recipe several times to get the perfect chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor. It’s made with pantry staples like oats, chocolate chips, maple syrup, and peanut butter, all pressed into a pan and chilled until firm.
They take less than 5 minutes to prep and are super versatile: my partner loves M&M’s, my sister loves raisins (odd, I know), and my mom swears by dried cranberries. They’re thick, chewy, and satisfyingly sweet- you definitely won’t stop at one.
Table of Contents
Ingredients needed
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
- Rolled Oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats. They give the oatmeal bars the ideal chewy texture. You can use quick-cooking oats if that is all you have on hand.
- Peanut Butter. Opt for the smooth and creamy variety with no added sugar. If you can’t tolerate peanuts or aren’t a fan of them, I’ve had success with almond butter or cashew butter. If you’d like these bars to be completely nut-free, I like using tahini or sunflower seed butter.
- Chocolate Chips. Any type of chocolate chip will work. I typically use semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Pure maple syrup. A liquid sweetener makes the bars smoother to bite into, along with some creaminess. Honey will also work.
- Coconut Oil. Keeps the bars stable at room temperature, but is also easier to bite into. Opt for refined coconut oil to ensure there is no coconut flavor. You can also use unsalted butter.
How to make no bake chocolate oat bars
Step 1- Prep. Melt the peanut butter, coconut oil, chocolate chips, and maple syrup.
Step 2- Combine. Stir through the oats and mix well.
Step 3- Assemble. Transfer the chocolate mixture into a lined pan and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Step 4- Slice. Once firm, slice up into bars.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“The best no bake chocolate oat bars recipe. It had the best texture ever!!!” – Ariana
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use a slightly wet knife to slice these into bars. This is my go-to trick when slicing bars and chocolates. A damp knife glides smoothly through the chocolate layer, keeping the bars from crumbling.
- Microwave the chocolate mixture in short increments. Chocolate can seize or burn quickly, so I always microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring between each one. This keeps the texture silky and smooth.
- Add extra mix-ins. I love customizing each batch – crunchy nuts add texture, while dried fruit gives a sweet-tart bite. It’s an easy way to make the bars feel new every time.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! When made with certified gluten-free rolled oats, these bars are completely safe for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance- I’ve tested them this way myself.
They are definitely healthier than a traditional candy or chocolate bar. They’re made with wholesome ingredients like natural peanut butter, oats, and maple syrup- no refined sugar, butter, or margarine.
I don’t recommend it. I’ve tried baking a batch before (a reader asked, and I was curious, lol), and they turned out dense and greasy. These bars are meant to stay no-bake for the best chewy texture.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover bars in a sealed container can keep well at room temperature. They will stay well and covered for up to 1 week. To keep them longer, store them in the refrigerator.
To freeze: Place chocolate oat bars in a freezer-friendly container or ziplock bag, and store them in the freezer. They will keep well frozen for up to 6 months.
More no bake desserts
No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars
Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut oil can sub for butter
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish or deep baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- Add rolled oats into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop, combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil, and heat until melted. Remove from microwave and whisk until completely incorporated.
- Pour the chocolate/peanut butter mixture over the oats and mix until combined.
- Transfer the mixture into the lined baking dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. Remove and cut into bars.
Notes
- Peanut butter sub: I’ve had success with almond butter and cashew butter.
- Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- Gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
- Leftovers: Bars keep at room temperature for up to one week, covered. They can be refrigerated for up to four weeks or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Awesomeness! Love this recipe it’s easy to make and freezes really well. Peanut butter and chocolate all the favs in our home
These are fabulous! Easy to make & perfect for when you need chocolate but don’t wanna fire up an oven.
Only peanut butter go here? Maybe better slmond butter as its sweeter?
Super easy, delicious.
The best no bake chocolate oat bars recipe. It had the best texture ever!!!
Love all your recipes, they’re tasty, healthy and easy to make! I have an unhealthy question to ask, can some of the ingredients get substituted for snickers bar and butter? Apologies if this is offensive!
Not offensive at all! Yes, we can transform this into a snickers slice. Swap out half the oats for chopped up snickers pieces and also some extra nuts 🙂
Love this recipe. Hands down the easiest and tastiest no bake oatmeal bars out there ..and I have tried a few. And I hate baking. 🙃
These were the BEST oatmeal chocolate chip bars recipe I’ve ever made!
I just made these last night and they are absolutely delicious. They remind me of a treat I had as a kid but these are much healthier. I used sugar free/calorie free syrup, sugar free chocolate and pbfit. I also subbed a some of the oil w milk. Fantastic flavor, I will make these again and again, ty
I made these bars the other week, and my husband and I absolutely loved them. Who would have thought that four ingredients could make such a delicious and satisfying treat!! They will definitely be a regular at our house!❤
LOVE these!! Please, more, more, more!!! Thankyou soooo much Arman!! This recipe goes STRAIGHT to my saved list! Family favourite dessert :). I also tried the edible cookie dough and the raw fudgy brownies! Also straight to the favourite list! They were delicious! Please make more no-bake recipes!!!!!!!
Can I sub peanut butter for tahini nut butter.
Yes you can!
Made these last night with the additions of dried cherries and walnuts. So so easy and good. So glad I found you, Arman.
PS ~ I usually half the recipes for taste testing and b/c I have a small household.
Thank you, Bethany!!
I made these again. They’re a new household staple. Thank you so much!
LOVE IT! You are so welcome!
Hi Arman – Thanks for the recipe. Just made these and they are delicious. Thanks for sharing!
I made these as directed and they disappeared in an instant! Even my gluten and dairy consuming guests wanted the recipe! I did goof and realized half way through mixing that I was out of syrup so subbed dark brown sugar and it certainly seemed to do no harm. I found the rice cereal to bring a far more interesting texture to the bars than the more traditional rolled oats do. Thank you so much for posting. This recipe goes straight to the head of my carry-in dinner list.
Thank you SO much for your positive feedback, Patricia!
How many bars do you get out of 1 recipe? I want to ensure my 100 calorie snack is the right size
Sure, I get 15-20 bars 🙂
If your photo for this recipe was already published by foodgawker, you shouldn’t submit another photo from the same link to be published again. It is against their TOS and not fair to other bloggers who play by the rules.
Hi there, you are incorrect. This is a new recipe submitted. I have never nor have any intentions to submit duplicate photos. Besides, foodgawker don’t allow that.
Can almond butter be substituted for the peanut butter?
Absolutely- I personally love the almond butter 🙂
I vote for chewy all the way! I also love the combo of PB and honey. I remember making PB and honey sandwiches as a kid. Looking back, I realize how unhealthy that was as a lunch. I also ate a lot of PB and marshmallow fluff, which is ridiculously amazing.
As always this is a stellar looking recipe! I like a crunchy bar rather than chewy but ill eat anything chocolate
Chewy bars! These sound delicious…and I’m digging the maple syrup in there. Chewy! Chewy! Chewy! (Although that does remind me of Chewbacca…can I just call these Chewbacca Bars?) 🙂
Edit my previous review to five ingredients…sorry!