These vegan chocolate peanut butter oat bars are everything you could want from a snack. Layers of no-bake oaty crust, homemade peanut butter caramel, and of course chocolate.

The recipe is based on my vegan peanut butter millionaires which use the same caramel and topping. Except these ones don't require any baking, making them fuss-free and pretty much fail-proof.

chocolate peanut butter slices with flaky sea salt on top.Pin
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🥜 Ingredients needed

You won't find any unusual ingredients in these no-bake chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars. In fact, just like my peanut butter twix bars, you'll only need 6 ingredients to make them!

ingredients to make oatmeal peanut butter bars measured out on a metal tray.Pin

Notes about the ingredients

The crust is based on rolled oats. If you want to make gluten-free oatmeal bars, this is the ingredient to look out for, so opt for certified GF oats.

Make sure you go for creamy peanut butter, not crunchy peanut butter as this won't allow you to get a nice smooth caramel layer. Some peanut butter has added oils and sugars, so avoid these if you don't want the recipe to be as sweet.

You can use vegan milk chocolate or dark chocolate depending on your taste. If you want to keep the recipe refined sugar-free, go for a naturally sweetened dairy-free chocolate. You can also make your own vegan milk chocolate with coconut sugar and melt it for the topping.

🥣 How to make chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars

(Full ingredient quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the end of this post)

No-bake crust

To make the easy no-bake crust start by blending the oats and salt down into a fine powder. Once they resemble a floury consistency, add in the peanut butter and maple syrup and blend again until the ingredients stick together.

Using the back of a spoon, press the oaty base into an 8-inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Place it in the fridge while you make the peanut butter caramel.

peanut butter oat mixture in food processor.Pin

Peanut butter filling

The peanut butter caramel is super easy, I use it all the time in no-bake desserts. You'll find it in these peanut butter brownies and millionaires too. You can also use it as a healthier alternative to regular vegan caramel sauce.

Simply add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and coconut oil to a large bowl and melt them over a double boiler (bain-marie). With the double-boiler method, the bowl is placed on a saucepan with simmering water in it. The steam rises and gently melts the ingredients in the bowl.

Whisk the melted ingredients together until you have a smooth caramel and pour it into the lined pan and chill for 1-2 hours until set.

melted peanut butter in a bowl with a whisk and in a square pan lined with parchment paper.Pin

Chocolate topping

To make the topping, melt the vegan chocolate and peanut butter over a double-boiler. Pour the melted chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer and chill for another 15-20 minutes until set.

Once chilled, carefully remove the square pan and slice oat bars into servings. Fill a cup with boiling water and dip the knife in between each cut. Use some paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to wipe the knife dry before slicing it into the peanut butter bars.

peanut butter chocolate slice inside and out of a lined square pan.Pin

Additions

  • I love adding a good pinch of Maldon sea salt flakes to the top of these peanut butter caramel slices. This creates a sweet and salty combination that is so delicious.
  • Roasted peanuts can be stirred into the caramel to make these more like snickers no-bake oatmeal bars!
  • Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and/or flaxseeds can be sprinkled on top of the chocolate layer before it sets. This will add crunch and make them the perfect breakfast bar for on the go.

👩‍🍳 Recipe Success Tips

  • Always use a double-boiler and avoid direct heat when working with chocolate or peanut butter. The fats can burn pretty easily and you'll be left with a grainy and unpleasant consistency.
  • Adding a little peanut butter, vegan butter, or coconut oil to the chocolate while melting helps the topping to become less hard once set so you can bite into it more easily!
  • Like with all brownies and slices, I recommend that you use a large sharp knife, and ideally a chef's knife if you own one. A blunt knife will make it really tough to cut nice even slices.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

How long will peanut butter oatmeal bars last in the fridge?

For up to a week. Store these vegan brownies in the fridge in order to keep them fresh as long as possible. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them well in plastic wrap.

Can I freeze them?

You can freeze these bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for 2 hours before serving them.

Can I use an alternative to peanut butter?

Yes, you can swap the peanut butter for any nut butter you fancy. Cashew butter and almond butter both work well. Or go for tahini or sunflower seed butter to make them nut-free.

stack of peanut butter oat bars with chocolate on top and a jar of peanut butter in the background.Pin

➕ More vegan peanut butter desserts

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star ★★★★★ rating in the recipe card below and consider leaving a comment as well, thanks!

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

4.84 from 18 votes
PREP TIME: 25 mins
Chilling Time: 1 hr 30 mins
TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 55 mins
Servings: 16
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Description

These delicious vegan chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars have peanut butter in every single layer. They're no-bake and made using just 6 ingredients. You can easily adapt them as gluten-free and refined sugar-free.

Ingredients

Crust

Filling

Topping

Instructions

Crust

  • Line the base and sides of a square 8" pan with parchment paper. Add the oats and salt to your food processor and blitz for a couple of minutes until finely ground. Add in the peanut butter and maple syrup and blend again until the mixture sticks together to form a dough. If needed, add a little more maple syrup to bring the mixture together.
  • Evenly press the crust into the base of the pan and smooth it out with a spatula or flat bottomed glass. Set aside in the fridge while you prepare the filling.

Filling

  • Add all of the ingredients to a heat-resistant bowl. Heat over a double boiler (bain-marie) while stirring until all of the ingredients have melted into a smooth caramel.
  • Pour the caramel on top of the crust and place it in the fridge to set for 1-2 hours, or until set. Overnight works well too.

Topping

  • Melt the chocolate and peanut butter over a double boiler (bain-marie) and stir to combine. Pour the chocolate over the caramel layer and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Place it in the fridge to set for 15-20 minutes.
  • To slice, place a sharp knife in a jug of boiling water to heat it. Wipe the knife dry and gently cut, allowing the heat from the knife to melt through the slices.

Storage

  • Store these slices in an airtight container in the fridge and consume them within a week. Alternatively, you can freeze any unused portions and defrost them as needed.

Notes

  • Peanut butter: Feel free to swap it out for another nut butter of your choice, or a mix if you're trying to clear out the cupboards! You can also use Biscoff spread.
  • Roasted peanuts can be stirred into the caramel to make these more like snickers oatmeal bars!
  • Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and/or flaxseeds can be sprinkled on top of the chocolate layer before it sets. 
  • Use a large sharp knife, and ideally a chef's knife if you own one. A blunt knife will make it really tough to cut nice even slices.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 217mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 20g | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 2mg
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Recipe Rating




14 Comments

  1. Thanks so much Henri!

    That tin you linked looks perfect. I prefer using a pan rather than a silicone mold for this type of dessert personally.

    Can't wait for you to try all the recipes! x

    1. 5 stars
      Hey dear Christina so happy to read you and thanks so much for your quick answer I really appreciate sincerely! 😊

      So this Square with removable base will be perfect not only for this recipe but many others like your Brownies etc..?

      Good investment if yes!
      (This brand is quality for Springform pan also and Tart Tin..please see Chocolate Hazelnut Tart)

      With this kind of tin is it necessary to line with parchment paper?

      I dont want to cut and scratch the tin so will need to remove easily the cake..

      And for Silicone Pan it is useful for what kind of recipe?

      Thanks so much again and see you below your other recipes 😉

      Henri

      1. Hi Henri,

        No, as long as you line it with parchment paper as detailed in the recipe then you won't scratch it. Just lift it out using the parchment once set. Metal pans are better than silicone, as they help the dessert to keep their shape, and also much better in the case of baked recipes.

  2. 5 stars
    They are delicious! Ik just added some coconut oil to the crust to make it stick a bit more. I'll surely make them again and again!

    1. Hi Kate,

      I'm delighted to hear you loved them, thank you so much for your positive feedback and rating 🙂

  3. 2 stars
    I made these last night. I really wanted to like them, but I just found the squares to be far too dense. (Is it possible to have too much peanut butter in a recipe?) I followed the recipe measure for measure, but the base crust was far too crumbly and every square cut lost a good portion it.

    We all agreed that we needed a glass of oat milk or something to wash it down because of a the consistency. Unfortunately, as a whole, I wouldn't make it again.

    On the plus side, the middle 'caramel' section was delicious. I would make that again and maybe drizzle it over some baked apples.

    1. Hi Kim,

      I'm sorry to hear they weren't to your taste! There is a note in the recipe to add a bit more maple syrup to the crust if it isn't coming together (water works too) as sometimes a little more liquid can be needed depending on the brand of peanut butter you used.