Indulge in these delicious and nutritious no bake oatmeal bars made with peanut butter, coconut, and cocoa for a rich, chocolatey twist. This vegan, gluten free delight blends wholesome rolled oats, natural sweeteners, and vanilla for a comforting guilt free snack that satisfies cravings and delivers a perfectly balanced treat.

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I recently came across this recipe for Healthy No Bake Oatmeal Bars and I just had to try it out. I like that its super quick to make in only 5 minutes and it gives you a good mix of nutrition and tasty flavor.

I mix 2 cups gluten free rolled oats with 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut and then add 1 cup natural peanut butter which not only gives a rich taste but is also a great source of protein. I blend in 1/3 cup maple syrup as a natural sweetener along with 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder to give it that hint of chocolate.

Then I stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon salt to balance everything out. These bars are a perfect example of healthy easy treats that are vegan, gluten and dairy free and provide a lot of fiber while being shelf stable too.

Enjoy makin them and get creative with your toppings.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it’s super easy to make and only takes like 5 minutes to throw together. I also love how it’s completely no bake so I don’t have to heat up the kitchen when I want a quick snack. It tastes amazing too since it’s rich, sweet, and has that nutty peanut butter flavor that just makes my day. And since it’s gluten free, dairy free and vegan, I feel good about eating it without stressing about my diet.

Ingredients

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Gluten free rolled oats are a great source of fiber and whole grain energy.
Unsweetened shredded coconut provides healthy fats and a subtle, tropical sweetness.
Natural peanut butter offers protein and healthy fats with a delicious nutty flavor.
Maple syrup acts as a natural sweetener boosting the taste without refined sugars.
Unsweetened cocoa powder adds antioxidants and a rich chocolate flavor for depth.
Vanilla extract enhances the recipe with a smooth, aromatic hint that ties it all.
Salt elevates and balances flavors, making every bite tasty and complete.

Ingredient Quantities

2 cups gluten free rolled oats

1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

1 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

How to Make this

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1. In a big bowl, mix together 2 cups of gluten free rolled oats, 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

2. In a separate microwave safe bowl, heat up 1 cup natural peanut butter and 1/3 cup maple syrup for about 30 seconds until it softens up, then stir well.

3. Mix in 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the warm peanut butter and syrup.

4. Pour the peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the oats and coconut.

5. Stir everything together until it’s evenly combined.

6. Transfer the mixture into a lined baking dish and press it down real firm so the bars will hold together.

7. Place the dish in the refrigerator for about one hour so it gets nice and firm.

8. Once set, take it out of the fridge and cut into bars or squares.

9. Enjoy your healthy, no bake treat right away or store them in an airtight container.

10. If you favos, keep them in the fridge to maintain a great texture.

Equipment Needed

1. Large bowl for mixing the oats, coconut, and salt
2. Microwave-safe bowl for heating and stirring the peanut butter and maple syrup
3. Measuring cups and spoons for all the ingredients
4. Stirring utensil like a spatula or spoon for combining mixtures
5. Baking dish lined with parchment paper for pressing the mixture into bars
6. Refrigerator to let the bars firm up
7. Knife and cutting board for cutting the set mixture into bars
8. Airtight container for storing any leftovers

FAQ

What do I do if I dont have gluten free oats? You can use regular rolled oats if you dont have a gluten intolerance but expect the texture to change a bit.

Can I swap peanut butter for another nut butter? Yep, you can use almond or cashew butter. Just know that the flavor will come out a bit different.

How long do these bars last? They will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week so its best to eat them within that time.

Do i really need to use maple syrup? Maple syrup is the natural sweetener in this recipe but you can try honey if you dont mind a slight flavor change.

Can I add extra ingredients like dried fruits or nuts? Sure thing, feel free to mix in a handful of raisins or chopped almonds for extra texture and flavor.

Healthy No Bake Oatmeal Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Gluten free rolled oats: if you dont mind a bit of gluten, you could use regular rolled oats instead, or even try mixing in some quinoa flakes for a nutritional boost
Natural peanut butter: you can swap it out with almond butter or sunflower seed butter if peanuts aren’t your thing
Maple syrup: if you’re out of maple syrup, honey or agave nectar works well but keep in mind honey’s not vegan
Unsweetened shredded coconut: if you’re not into coconut or it’s too strong, a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans can be a cool alternative
Unsweetened cocoa powder: for a different taste, try carob powder which gives a sweet, unique flavor without being overly chocolatey

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you press the mix down really firm in the pan so the bars stick together better.
2. If the peanut butter feels too stiff to mix in the cocoa, try microwaving it a few extra seconds to soften it up more evenly.
3. Tweak the sweetness to your taste by adding a bit more maple syrup or even a drizzle of honey if you want extra gooey bars.
4. Let the bars chill for more than an hour if you can, like overnight, to get a super solid texture that holds up better when cutting.