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These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are a super easy and healthy dessert made from four gluten-free and vegan simple ingredients like peanut butter, oatmeal, maple syrup, and chocolate chips. They taste like a Reese’s peanut butter cup but made healthier!
A chocolate peanut butter recipe that has few ingredients, takes five minutes to make and tastes just like a Reese’s? Sign me up. This girl over here loves her combination of chocolate and peanut butter.
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are a delicious healthy alternative to the traditional peanut butter cup. Plus there is more peanut butter filling and it is made with wholesome ingredients like oat flour, peanut butter, maple syrup, chocolate chips.
The whole recipe only calls for four ingredients. Four ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, too.
I love to make these bars for parties and even for the holidays because they always get eaten up right away. Everyone thinks you slaved away in the kitchen working for hours, when in reality these chocolate peanut butter bars only take five minutes to make.
With all the time you saved making these bars, you can quickly make my Chocolate Protein Mug Cake for some extra chocolate and sweetness.
Ingredients in no-bake peanut butter bars
Natural peanut butter – you’ll want to use a natural peanut butter here because it is runny and easier to work with. If you don’t have a natural peanut butter, pop it in the microwave for a little bit before hand to get it looser.
Maple syrup – maple syrup works great in this recipe, as does honey if you don’t have any maple syrup! You’ll need a sweetener that is wet to help the bars come together.
Oat flour – I prefer store bought oat flour to homemade. I’ve tried making homemade oat flour several times and while it works, it never gets quite as fine as store bought.
Chocolate chips – we like to use dairy free chocolate chips here in order to keep this recipe both dairy-free and vegan. Enjoy life brand is great!
Yep, this list is really it! There are only four ingredients in these no-bake peanut butter bars. You’ll mix all the ingredients together besides the chocolate chips, then melt the chocolate to put on top, then pop in the fridge! They are that easy.
How to make no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars
It’s clear that you don’t need to be a baker to make these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars. All you need to be able to do is pour the ingredients into a bowl, mix them together, and then put in the refrigerator.
Step 1.
Pour peanut butter, maple syrup, and oat flour into a medium sized bowl. Mix them together until they are well combined, then press into an 8×8 dish. I lined my dish with parchment paper to prevent further sticking.
Step 2.
Melt the chocolate and remaining peanut butter in the microwave for 30-second intervals, mixing between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted.
Step 3.
Pour melted chocolate over top of peanut butter base and place the bars in the freezer to cool for an hour. Once cooled, cut into bars and store in fridge!
Tips for making chocolate peanut butter bars
These bars can be made up to a week ahead of time! They will stay good in the fridge, but also can be frozen as well.
Double the recipe for these bars if you’re looking to feed a crowd. You could use a 9×13 cake pan and yield more no-bake bars.
Want to turn these into peanut butter balls? That would be a great idea! No-bake chocolate peanut butter balls sound like a delicious treat. I would roll the peanut butter mixture into balls and then place in the freezer for at least a half hour before dipping into chocolate. You could also drizzle the chocolate on top as well!
If you make this recipe, be sure to comment below and let me know how it was! Also tag @erinliveswhole on Instagram and use the hashtag #erinliveswhole so I can see it and feature you!
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (vegan, gluten-free)
These no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars are super easy and healthy dessert made from four gluten-free and vegan simple ingredients like peanut butter, oatmeal, maple syrup, and chocolate chips. They taste like a Reese’s peanut butter cup but made healthier!
Ingredients
Base:
- 1 cup salted peanut butter (if not salted, add in a pinch)
- 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 3/4 cup oat flour certified gluten-free (1 cup almond flour also works here)
Topping:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- 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!
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Kerry says
Sooooooo good! Serving these today for dessert! I’ve also made the very similar Reese’s eggs for Easter.
★★★★★
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!!