Do you remember that No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie recipe from your childhood? I remember making them with my mom in elementary school. Well, this is a similar recipe, but it’s made without dairy, without refined sugar, and has the addition of nuts to make it a little hardier.
I don’t know if I have ever been so addicted to a recipe in my life. I couldn’t stop thinking about these No Bake Cookie Bars once I found this recipe last month.
The first batch of Cookie Bars I made was great, but JSarr and I thought these cookie bars could use more nuts, so before we finished the first 9 x 13 pan, we had the next batch already waiting. We loved the addition of more nuts, and before the 2nd batch was gone, the third was already made, and this time by our 8 year old-Ellie! She did a great job as I walked her through the steps.
I find myself wanting to snack on these ALL OF THE TIME. They seem to be a great after-breakfast snack, after-lunch snack, or after-dinner snack. Just ask me; I know!
The Verdict: There aren’t many recipes that I can say I am addicted to, but this No Bake Cookie Bar Recipe is definitely one of them. The family digs this recipe and always asks for seconds and thirds! I think this recipe has practically the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter, sweet and crunchy. The bars have substance so they seem filling.
Because they are made with coconut oil, they can’t be left out at room temperature for too long. I wouldn’t put them in my kids’ lunches or leave them out for more than 25 minutes at a time. They do hold up better than the 3 ingredient peanut butter cups, though:).
And as I mentioned above, this recipe is so easy to make my 8-year old could do it. It comes together quickly and easily.
For a sugar-free, 100% honey-sweetened alternative, try these No Bake Cookies.
Have you tried 2 or 3 Ingredient Chocolate Nut Clusters?
The first batch of Cookie Bars I made was great, but JSarr and I thought these cookie bars could use more nuts, so before we finished the first 9 x 13 pan, we had the next batch already waiting. We loved the addition of more nuts, and before the 2nd batch was gone, the third was already made, and this time by our 8 year old-Ellie! She did a great job as I walked her through the steps.
I find myself wanting to snack on these ALL OF THE TIME. They seem to be a great after-breakfast snack, after-lunch snack, or after-dinner snack. Just ask me; I know!
The Verdict: There aren’t many recipes that I can say I am addicted to, but this No Bake Cookie Bar Recipe is definitely one of them. The family digs this recipe and always asks for seconds and thirds! I think this recipe has practically the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter, sweet and crunchy. The bars have substance so they seem filling.
No Bake Cookie Bars, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free
Servings 24 bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey maple syrup for vegan
- 1/2 cup organic coconut oil
- 2 cups organic dry oats, gluten-free if needed
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup chopped pecans or nut of choice
- 1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips
Instructions
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Grease a 9x13 pan with coconut oil.
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Place the oats, coconut, pecans, and chocolate chips in a large bowl, and stir to combine.
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Heat the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil together until the coconut oil is mostly melted. Don't let the honey boil or the bars will be dry.
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Pour the heated peanut butter mixture onto the oat mixture, and stir until the chocolate chips are melted.
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Evenly spread the mixture in a greased 9x13 pan.
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Cover, and refrigerate until hardened.
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Cut into bars, enjoy, and refrigerate the leftovers for up to one week.
Because they are made with coconut oil, they can’t be left out at room temperature for too long. I wouldn’t put them in my kids’ lunches or leave them out for more than 25 minutes at a time. They do hold up better than the 3 ingredient peanut butter cups, though:).
And as I mentioned above, this recipe is so easy to make my 8-year old could do it. It comes together quickly and easily.
For a sugar-free, 100% honey-sweetened alternative, try these No Bake Cookies.
Have you tried KIND inspired bars?
Have you tried 2 or 3 Ingredient Chocolate Nut Clusters?
Would like these made with unsweetened cocoa instead. Wonder if they would set up.
Hi Debbie. I wanted to reduce the sugar content in our lives, so I started making them with unsweetened cocoa. The exact recipe is here. I have used that recipe to make it in cookie form and in bar form. Hope this helps, and thanks for visiting!
Where is the recipe for the unsweetened cocoa ones?
I put the link and a picture at the bottom of the post. Thanks for asking!
These look delicious! And they’re even something that I wouldn’t mind serving to my kids! Pinned!
Hi Blair. We keep these babies stocked all the time. Thanks for visiting!
It’s important to soak oats before consuming them… http://www.highonhealth.org/why-its-very-important-to-soak-oats-before-you-eat-them/
Hi Amber, I soak most of my whole wheat flour because I make most of our grains with sourdough like bread, waffles and pancakes. I haven’t soaked oats, yet, but it’s on my list. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Sonja
Making all these bars without baking is awesome. I have two questions : 1) To consume oats, isn’t it preferably to soak overnight? 2) Oats – can it be consumed raw (esp the old fashioned oats or rolled oats)?
Thanks and regards Patricia
Hi Patricia, Soaked oats are better for you and better for digestion. I’ve only soaked my sourdough breads, so I haven’t tried soaking the oats, but I know it’s a great idea. We have been eating these with raw old fashioned rolled oats. Here are a couple of articles that may help: http://www.organicauthority.com/health/can-you-eat-rolled-oats-raw.html http://www.livestrong.com/article/412378-is-eating-uncooked-oatmeal-healthy/
Enjoy!
This recipe looks sooo good that I think i’ll have to keep myself from making it unless we have company to help eat it – other wise I might eat it ALL myself!
It’s hard to resist! At least the ingredients are better for you! Thanks for visiting!
I just made this recipe and LOVE it! Unfortunately no one in my family loves coconut like I do, so I’m eating ALL of it. Which is both good and bad 🙂 -Dana
Hi Dana, I bet it would work without the coconut, although it would probably be more chocolatey since there wouldn’t be coconut to absorb some of the moisture from the chocolate-I have not done this yet. Depending on the type of coconut oil you use, you can get some that don’t taste like coconut. Thanks for visiting, Dana!
You had me at “no bake”! I’m always looking for a quick treat I can throw together when Hubby gets a hankering for something sweet. I’ve been on the hunt for something a little more healthy. Can’t wait to make these for him!
Hi Janine. This really is so quick to put together. Thanks for visiting!
These look amazing…and chock full of things I can feel about feeding my family! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jenn! And they are so addictive, too, because they taste so good! Thanks for visiting!
These look amazing!!! We love those cookies around here – family favorite! 🙂 Visiting from Whole Foods Wednesday.
Thanks Stacy! We’ve been keeping them stocked here. Thanks for visiting!
These look delicious! I love new vegan recipes.Can’t wait to try them. Maybe I can find a way to sneak them into my sugar free diet for June… Here from One Project at a Time Link up.
Hi Kelly, Well, the honey is not refined white sugar. Does that count?? Thanks so much, and thanks for visiting!
These look delicious! You really can’t beat that ingredients list, and yet I bet they still taste like a dessert bar. 🙂 Pinning for later. 😀
Hi Lauren. I don’t feel deprived at all from the Standard American Diet. They are totally a dessert bar. Thanks for visiting!
Oh yum, I am gluten free!! Coming over from Monday Funday.
I invite you to come link up to our new #LetsMingle Monday social link party! We also have giveaways each week! http://thefirstyearblog.com/2013/06/03/letsmingle-monday-1/
Beth @ The First Year Blog
I would absolutely love this recipe and be just as addicted as you are. SUCH awesome flavor combos and easy too. Thanks so much for sharing at our Weekend Potluck table. You are a woman after my heart…and tummy too. =)
Hi Mrs. Baker. Just had one as an after lunch snack. At least they are healthier! Thanks for visiting!
I totally remember no bake oatmeal cookies from childhood! I’d guarantee you that the ingredients were not as wholesome as these though. Thanks for a great recipe! I hope you’ll come share at Raw Foods Thursdays!
http://www.glutenfreecat.com/2013/05/raw-foods-thursday-may-30-2013/
Have a great weekend! Heather
Hi Heather, Is this raw enough to share?? Hope you have a great weekend, too!
These are AMAZING!!!! I would agree with Jonathan, they are like a “crunch” bar. Thank you Sonja for sharing!!!!! YUMMY!!!!!!
Thanks, Jolie! You are welcome for sharing. I love to share!!
THESE ARE AWESOME! They remind me of a healthified “crunch” bar. But I think they’re yummier. It’s hard to hold back when eating these delectable little morsels.
These sound great! Do you use the flavored coconut oil or the unflavored variety?
Hi Meredith, I use the non-refined organic coconut oil so it does taste like coconut. Because there is already coconut in the recipe, the coconut taste didn’t matter to us in the recipe. Thanks for visiting!