Peanut butter lovers, these Healthy Peanut Butter Bars were made for you! I make a batch almost every week because they come together with just FOUR ingredients, zero oven time, and taste dangerously close to a Reese’s cup (except you actually feel good about eating them)!
A Quick Look: No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- ✅ Recipe Name: Healthy No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- 🕒 Ready In: 10 minutes prep + 1 hour freeze
- 👪 Serves: 12 bars
- 🍽 Calories: 316 per bar
- 📋 Protein: 8g per bar
- 🥬 Main Ingredients: Peanut butter, oat flour, maple syrup, chocolate chips
- 📖 Dietary Info: Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free
- 🥣 Best For: Dessert, snacks, meal prep, lunchboxes
- ⭐ Why You’ll Love It: Four ingredients, no baking, and they taste like a homemade Reese’s!
Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
If you know me, you know I will always say yes to peanut butter and chocolate. It’s one of my favorite combinations, and these no bake bars keep it simple!
The base is made with peanut butter, oat flour, and maple syrup, so it comes together quickly and firms up nicely once chilled. Then you add a smooth chocolate layer on top, which gives each bite that sweet-salty balance that makes these so good.
I also love that these no bake peanut butter chocolate bars are easy to keep in the fridge or freezer. They’re great for meal prep, easy to portion out, and nice to have on hand when you want a homemade treat that is ready to go!
If you love easy no-bake treats like these, you’ll also want to try my Peanut Butter Energy Bars and No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies for more of that PB-chocolate goodness!
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love These Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Just four ingredients. Peanut butter, oat flour, maple syrup, and chocolate chips, that’s genuinely all you need! It doesn’t get much better than that.
- No oven required. These are fully no bake, which means you can make them any time of year without heating up your kitchen.
- They taste like a Reese’s cup. That salty peanut butter base + chocolate topping combo is absolutely unreal.
- Perfect for meal prep. Make a batch on Sunday and snack on them all week straight from the fridge or freezer.
- Easy to customize. Add flaky sea salt on top, swap in almond butter, or drizzle with white chocolate, these bars are a total blank canvas!
Ingredients Needed
Making a batch of these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are simple and requires only four ingredients.
- Peanut butter: You’ll need creamy peanut butter for the base and more for the topping if you’re mixing it with the melted chocolate. I like salted peanut butter for the sweet-salty flavor, but creamy unsalted works too!
- Oat flour: Oat flour gives the bars structure and a soft, sturdy texture. Store-bought is usually a little finer, but homemade works too if you blend rolled oats until very smooth. Using oat flour make these peanut butter bars completely gluten-free!
- Maple syrup: This sweetens the bars and help bring the base together. Honey or agave can work too.
- Chocolate chips: For the topping! Mini chocolate chips melt easily, but regular chocolate chips work just as well! You can use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips.
Tip: For a yummy twist, you can add 1/2 cup of shredded coconut or chopped nuts as a topping. It can add an additional crunch and texture.
How to Make Easy Healthy Peanut Butter Bars
Step 1: Make the peanut butter base. In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter, maple syrup, and oat flour until a thick dough forms. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into a parchment-lined 8×8 baking dish.
Step 2: Make the chocolate topping. Add chocolate chips and peanut butter to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until completely smooth.
Step 3: Assemble and freeze. Pour the melted chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base and spread evenly. Transfer to the freezer for 1 hour, or until fully set and firm enough to slice cleanly.
Step 4: Slice and serve. Lift the bars out using the parchment paper, cut into 12 bars, and enjoy! Store in the fridge or freezer
Erin’s Expert Recipe Tips
- Use salted peanut butter. It’s the secret to that addictive sweet & salty balance. If you only have unsalted, add a pinch of salt to the base.
- Line your dish with parchment paper. It makes cleanup easy and helps you pull out perfectly clean bars for slicing!
- Don’t rush the freeze. A full hour in the freezer is key so the chocolate sets properly and the bars hold their shape when sliced.
- Use a warm knife for cleaner slices. Run your knife under hot water, dry it, and then slice. The chocolate won’t crack or shatter.
- Storing: Keep bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months. To freeze without sticking, lay bars in a single layer first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some common no bake peanut butter bar recipe questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
Usually, that means the mixture is a little too dry, or the peanut butter was too thick. Make sure everything is fully mixed, and the base is soft enough to press firmly into the pan. Using a creamier peanut butter helps a lot.
For these no-bake peanut butter bars, I recommend using a creamy, salted peanut butter. It can be natural, but it might make the base mixture more dry. If you find the base mixture is too dry, you’ll want to add just a dash of water to make it smoother.
Yes. Double the ingredients and use a 9×13 pan if you want a bigger batch for sharing or meal prep.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Here are some of my favorite peanut butter recipes you should make next. Enjoy!
- Chocolate Baked Oats With Peanut Butter
- Salted Peanut Butter Banana Bread
- Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookie Cups
- Flourless Peanut Butter Blondies
- Peanut Butter Cornflake Bars
Video Tutorial
If you tried this recipe or any other recipes on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Follow @erinliveswhole on Instagram and tag me in any of the recipes you make so I can repost them!
Healthy Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium bowl, mix together peanut butter, maple syrup, and oat flour until well combined.
- Press mixture into an 8×8 dish.
- Pour chocolate chips and remaining peanut butter into a microwave safe dish and microwave on 30 second increments until chips are melted.
- Pour melted chocolate peanut butter mixture over peanut butter base.
- Place in freezer for one hour, then cut and serve.
- Store in fridge or freezer!
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Use salted peanut butter for the best flavor. The sweet-salty balance is what makes these bars so good! If you only have unsalted, just add a pinch of salt to the base mixture.
- Line your dish with parchment paper. It makes cleanup a breeze AND helps you get cleaner slices later. Totally worth the extra 30 seconds!
- Don’t skip the freezer step. The bars need to go in the freezer for a full hour before slicing. This ensures the chocolate layer sets properly so everything cuts cleanly and holds together.
Kerry says
Sooooooo good! Serving these today for dessert! I’ve also made the very similar Reese’s eggs for Easter.
Erin says
Hi Kerry, so glad you liked them!
Maggie says
LOVE this recipe from Erin. Obvs anything chocolate and peanut butter is going to be amazing, but the use of oat flour makes these friendly to gluten lovers and haters alike! Such a quick and easy dessert to whip of for friends who can’t have gluten. I think the use of oat flour makes these even more delicious and tender!
Erin says
Hi Maggie, so happy you loved the bars!
Renee says
This was my first time
Trying anything vegan. I wanted something quick, something they didn’t require daily and something that didn’t require a whole bunch of ingredients. First time using Oat flour too. And I have to say, I am so impressed. This came together in 5 min! I don’t own a microwave so I melted the chocolate and peanut butter on low stove top until combined. I frozen it and managed to cut a little piece out and OMG. It was literally like eating a frozen Reese’s cup. This is going to be my go to even for the kids. They always complain that kids at school have candy and sweets in their lunch boxes at least I will feel good giving this to them and not have any guilt. I’m obsessed! Don’t hesitate to make this! Thank you
Renee says
*^that
*^dairy
.*^froze 🙈
Erin says
Hi Renee, so happy you loved the bars so much! Thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Renee says
I made the bars without the chocolate for my Shitzu and omg he devoured! Thank you again! I’ve reposted this recipe on my IG feed and so many have already come back to tell me they are grateful for such a delish recipe!
Erin says
Hi Renee, so happy he loved them too! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Elisabeth says
I make these ALL of the time. Followed the recipe as directed and used almond flour. So easy, quick, and taste great! Also a nice quick dessert to bring to parties!
Erin says
Hi Elisabeth, so happy you love them!!
Grace says
Made this recipe in under 5 mins and it was a huge hit for my gluten free and non-gluten free friends alike! I cut the bars really small and it’s a perfect little treat after a meal, and there’s so much protein packed in there with the peanut butter it’s guilt-free 😊
Erin says
Hi Grace, so so happy you loved them so much and they were a hit!!
Robert Kathleen says
These are amazing! I only changed 2 small things.
1. I added about 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. This helped boost the flavour of the bars.
2. I didn’t use all of the topping. I used around 3/4 of it and the top layer was already quite thick, so I left the rest out.
Erin says
Hi Robert Kathleen, so glad you liked them and made them your own!!
Karen says
Can you use natural peanut butter (just peanuts and salt) in this recipe?
Erin says
Hi Karen, Yes! That is preferred. Let me know how the bars came out!
Brigitte says
Turned out great . I ran out of peanut butter so I used to have peanut butter half almond butter and they were delicious. I also don’t have a microwave so I heated everything on the stove 🙂 thank you for the recipe
Erin says
Hi Brigitte, so happy you loved the bars so much!!
Ellen says
How can I make these without a microwave
Erin says
Hi Ellen, yep, you can use a double boiler to melt it! Let me know how your bars come out!
Michelle says
Absolutely amazing! Thank you for this recipe. Just tried today and wow. As a new vegan these make this lifestyle so easy. 🌹🌹💞
Erin says
Hi Michelle, so happy you loved them!! 🙂
Stacy Faber says
So glad I decided to make this! It is so delicious, tastes like a healthy Reese‘s peanut butter cup, it was super easy to make!
Erin says
Hi Stacy, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂
Randi says
Re the no bake chocolate peanut butter bars. It says to use oat flour. Or almond flour. You can eat this raw? Without baking first. Just freeze and eat? Thank you
Erin says
Hi Randi, yes you can use oat or almond flour. Either 3/4 cup oat flour certified gluten-free or 1 cup almond flour also works! Yes, just follow the directions to a t and you’ll be good. Let me know how yours come out!
Jenna says
Could I use a rice flour blend instead? 🤔 That’s what I have on hand right now.
Erin says
Hi Jenna, I haven’t tried it with that sub. I’d say to double check the flour ratio since not all flours are 1:1 and see how it comes out! Let me know!
Erin H says
I need these in my freezer at all times! These are so easy and incredible!
Erin says
Hi Erin, so happy you love them! 🙂
Lindsay says
These are so easy and taste better than Reese’s! Could eat a whole pan. I leave them cut up in the freezer for a quick treat.
Erin says
Hi Lindsay, so glad you loved the bars so much! 🙂
Janis says
I made these tonight for my Environmental Club’s bake sale tomorrow. I just taste-tested them and boy oh boy…they may not make it to the bake sale after all. They are so delicious! I ended up putting them in a 13.5″ x 4″ tart pan. They popped right out and are beautiful with the little scalloped edge. Thank you Erin for another great recipe!
Erin says
Hi Janis, so happy you loved them so much! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Kara says
While mine were NO WHERE near as pretty as the bars in these pics, they were delicious! I made my own oat flour and really didn’t mind the consistency/texture. Such a good treat!
Erin says
Hi Kara, so happy you loved them!!
Tom says
Turned out amazing! A new family favourite and loved by my boy with a severe dairy allergy. My second time making them I added a splash of oat milk and vanilla. Also added some course ground Himalayan sea salt to the top. Delicious!
Erin says
Hi Tom, so happy your family loved them and made them your own! Great ideas!!
Sophie says
these are my favorite dessert to make. Super easy, and SO tasty. Thank you for sharing!!
Erin says
Hi Sophie, I am so happy you loved them!!
Ilsa says
I call made the no-bake peanut butter chocolate bars for a co-worker’s birthday! They were a hit! Everyone loved them. Everyone could eat them!
Delicious
Erin says
Hi Ilsa, so glad the bars were a hit!!