4 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Oat Bars – Vegan, Gluten Free
4 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Oat Bars: this vegan peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe is so easy to make & tastes like peanut butter cups! Chewy peanut butter oatmeal bars with a thick, chocolate topping. Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Healthy.
What are your favorite snacks to bring with you on-the-go? Erik and I love walking all over the place, so we’re always searching/looking for ways to make healthy vegan treats that stay yummy without a fridge and are super portable.
I mean… unless you’ve got a teeny-tiny, like nearly microscopic mini-fridge/purse you can recommend? 😉 J/K!
I’ve noticed over many, many meal preps/snack preps for our excursions that no bake snacks truly fit the bill. They’re so easy to make, easy to customize with gluten free ingredients, and are seriously yummy.
Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Oatmeal Bars (Vegan)
One of our favorites? These vegan + gluten free chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars! They’re made with just 4 ingredients, come together without an oven (wahooo!!) and are dairy-free, protein-rich, vegan and gluten free!
These healthy no bake peanut butter oat bars taste like peanut butter cups. Layer 1: a chewy, sweet peanut butter oat bar layer made with just 3 healthy ingredients. Layer 2: a thick ‘n rich vegan chocolate peanut butter topping. Result: the best chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars that taste like Reese’s peanut butter cups!
Healthy Peanut Butter Oat Bars with just 4 Ingredients!
Peanut Butter
I love using unsalted, natural creamy peanut butter to make these healthy peanut butter oat bars! Since I make many of these recipes with my mom in mind, I’m vigilant to leave out any unnecessary sources of sodium, like salted peanut butter. You can try that if you like, just keep in mind that it’ll affect the flavor of these gluten free peanut butter oat bars. It’s the same PB that I use in my 3 Ingredient Keto Chocolate Peanut Butter Fat Bombs.
Gluten Free Oats
Make sure to use gluten free rolled oats aka old-fashioned oats to make these vegan peanut butter oatmeal bars. Quick oats, or 1-minute oats are much thinner and will yield a different result. For more tasty PB oatmeal recipe try my Healthy Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe (Vegan, Gluten Free) and my 3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Cups.
Pure Maple Syrup
Pure maple syrup is one of my favorite ingredients to use in vegan gluten free baking. The flavor & sweetness of maple syrup is incredible! Plus, it makes these healthy peanut butter oat bars refined sugar-free (just make sure to use a vegan chocolate that’s refined sugar-free).
Vegan Chocolate Chips
There are a variety of dairy-free/vegan chocolate chips available. These vegan chocolate chips are allergy-friendly and melt very smoothly. Here’s another popular brand of allergy-friendly vegan chocolate chips. You might also try chopping up this paleo chocolate bar to ensure that these healthy peanut butter oat bars are not only gluten-free & healthy, but also refined sugar-free.
Can I Freeze these Vegan Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars?
Yes! I actually have a batch of these vegan peanut butter oatmeal bars in my freezer as we speak. To Freeze: after chilling and slicing, carefully place chocolate peanut butter oat bars in a freezer-friendly container or bag. Freeze oat bars for up to 2 months. Remember to thaw the oatmeal bars before enjoying!
Recipes Like Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Here are my favorite recipes that are similar to these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars (all vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free):
- 4 Ingredient Easy Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars: these no bake peanut butter bars are easy to make & are the dessert version of this healthy no bake peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe!
- 4 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Energy Bites Recipe: these healthy energy bites are protein-rich, also taste like peanut butter cups & are super easy to make.
- 3 Ingredient No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: sometimes, Erik and I like to shake things up and make no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies instead of oatmeal bars!
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter No Bake Energy Bites Recipe: if you’re looking for healthy peanut butter oatmeal bars minus the oatmeal (and in bite form), try my super popular no bake peanut butter energy bites recipe.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars: a baked peanut butter oatmeal treat that still qualifies as breakfast!
- Peanut Butter Coconut Oatmeal Cookies: one of my favorite gluten free combos: peanut butter + coconut!
- 4 Ingredient No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies: for no bake fans: a chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie that’s similar to my healthy no bake peanut butter oat bars recipe. 🙂
- 3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls (No Bake): one of the easiest, tastiest no bake treats around. Perfect for saving snack time! 😉
- Healthy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies + Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls + Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars + Small Batch No Bake Cookies
Best Tools for Gluten Free No Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Click on the links below to see the tools & ingredients I used to make these healthy no bake chocolate peanut butter oat bars!
- 8-inch Baking Pan – I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve used this pan for gluten free baking. It’s awesome!
- Vegan Chocolate Chips – a fantastic brand of vegan, gluten-free and soy-free chocolate chips.
- Natural Unsalted Creamy Peanut Butter – my favorite brand of natural peanut butter, perfect for making healthy peanut butter oat bars. And yes, I do buy PB in bulk. 😉
- My Favorite Knife – this knife is so sharp! Perfect for getting those super-straight cuts when slicing these vegan chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars.
- GF Rolled Oats – you can’t make gluten free peanut butter oatmeal bars without oats, and this is a great brand to use.
- Maple Syrup – a vegan baking staple, I’ve always got a bottle (or 3) in my kitchen.
If you try my healthy peanut butter cup oat bars recipe, let me know in the comments below! It’s always so much fun sharing in these kitchen adventures with you. I can’t wait to hear what you think. ‘Til then…
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤️
. Click below to Pin .
Did you make this vegan peanut butter oat bars recipe? Take a pic & share it on Instagram with the hashtag #beamingbaker and tag @beamingbaker. I’d love to see it!
Print4 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Oat Bars – Vegan, Gluten Free
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
Description
4 Ingredient Healthy No Bake Peanut Butter Cup Oat Bars: this vegan peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe is so easy to make & tastes like peanut butter cups! Chewy peanut butter oatmeal bars with a thick, chocolate topping. Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free.
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Oat Bars
- 1 cup unsalted, natural creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 1/4 cups gluten free rolled oats
Vegan Chocolate Topping
- 1/2 cup vegan chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon unsalted, natural creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
- Make the Peanut Butter Oat Bars: In a medium, microwave-safe bowl (large enough to add oats later), add peanut butter and maple syrup. Whisk together until well-mixed. Heat in 20-second increments in the microwave until warm, fragrant and thickened. Whisk in between heating increments.
- Add oats. Stir and fold until thoroughly combined. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking pan. Using a rubber spatula, smooth into an even, tightly-packed layer. Set aside.
- Make the Vegan Chocolate Topping: Use the double boiler method or do the following. In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add Chocolate Topping ingredients. Heat in 20-second increments until softened and melted. Stir until smooth.
- Pour this chocolate mixture over the bars. Using a clean rubber spatula, smooth into an even layer.
- Freeze for 30-40 minutes, or until firm. Remove from freezer and slice into 16 bars. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
Peanut Butte Recipes We Love
Equipment
Reusable Zip Bags – Sandwich Size
Buy Now →Unsalted Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Buy Now →Notes
- Where to Buy Ingredients: Vegan Chocolate Chips | Unsalted, Natural Creamy Peanut Butter | Gluten Free Rolled Oats | Pure Maple Syrup
- Storing Instructions: Store in an airtight container such as these reusable zip bags in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Note: After the first day in the refrigerator, you may store these in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Freezing Instructions: Store in a freezer-friendly, airtight container for 1-2 months. These reusable bags are freezer friendly. Allow to thaw for 10-20 minutes before enjoying.
- Recommended Tools: Unbleached Parchment Paper | Reusable Zip Bags | 8-inch Baking Pan | My Favorite Knife | Heatproof Spatulas
- Nutrition Information: is an estimate based on the best-selling, most common brands per ingredient. Also, it’s estimated based on 16 servings per recipe. 🙂
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Chill
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 199
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
© beamingbaker.com. All content and images are protected by copyright. Please do not use my images or recipe without my permission. Please do not republish this recipe, instead, include a link to this post for the recipe.
These will be perfect to snack on this week! I love that it’s a no bake snack!
Oh yes, I’m all about no bake snacks. They’re the best!
Nothing better than chocolate and peanut butter! You have my attention! I will be making these this weekend; delicious!
Oh I couldn’t agree more Sara! . Hope you enjoy them!
These won’t last long in my house!!
Haha oh I bet not! .
A restaurant I frequent has these and I love them. I searched for a recipe and found this one. I’m going to make it this weekend. How do you get the parchment paper to be so flat and flush with the pan? I always have trouble with that as the parchment rides up. Do you cut it? You mentioned using wax paper. I’ll have to see if that’s easier.
Hi Shari! Yes, I cut the corners of the parchment paper so that they can fold over the corners of the pan easier. It can take a bit of practice, but after a while it gets easier. Wax paper will also works great too. Hope you enjoy the recipe Shari! 🙂
These are so easy and tasty! A new go-to recipe!
Woohoo! That’s awesome Kim!
I love it!! So easy and really delish! My kids can’t wait for me to make it again!
Yay! So happy to hear it Toni! .
I am drooling over your photographs! These peanut butter bars look amazing — I’ve been on a no carb diet for 3 weeks, so I’m just sitting here trying to crawl through the screen (no success yet).
Aw thank you Lisa! You’re too sweet. ☺️ LOL I feel you on the diet! .
I love Oat based desserts and anything with peanut butter is good with me.
Same here! . I think you’ll really love these cookies Dannii!
Can you use sugar free syrup? And when you say natural peanut butter, like skippy natural or real natural? Lol
Hi Faith! I haven’t tried it myself yet, but I think it should work. Let me know how it goes with the syrup! As for the PB: I use real natural (just peanuts), but other readers have used Jif with good results. .
Has anyone tried to make these with soy butter or sunflower butter. My son has peanut allergy and can’t have the peanut butter.
Hi Emile! Sunflower/soy butter will work fine with these. Hope you son enjoys them! .
Macros? Calories protein carbs fat please
Thanks
Hi Bonna! I’m in the process of adding nutrition info into all the recipes on my site—it’s a sow process but I’m getting there! Thanks for your patience. 🙂
Looks so delicious and so easy to make!
Thanks Natalie! Enjoy!!
I loved these! I was skeptical . at 4 ingredient and no-bake, but they were amaze! These totally classify as breakfast in my house, thanks for the new obsession, will be cruising your site for more!
Hiya Steph!! Hehe… glad to hear skepticism made way for YUM!! Oooh, having these for breakfast is the BEST idea! Can’t wait to see what you try next. 🙂
Oh my gosh! I can eat dessert again! I’m allergic to dairy, eggs, gluten and cane sugar! I will be using your recipes all the time now.
These look so good! My favorite flavors – chocolate and peanut butter – with oats thrown in! Also, quick and easy, what more can you ask for?! I can’t wait to make them for my kids (my daughter is vegan) – they look like a great snack. Thanks!
Thanks Tracy! Right? It’s so hard to resist the combo of chocolate, pb and oats. 😉 Can’t wait to hear what you two think! 🙂
Very good! I used crunchy peanut butter with the oats and creamy peanut butter with the chocolate. The crunchy peanut butter adds a nice crunch to the bars. I was disappointed in how thin they are. I used as 8 inch pan but my bars were about 1/4 an inch and the oat mix and chocolate topping were equal. Next time I will double the oat mix. Otherwise, very delicious!
So happy to hear you enjoyed these, Brooke! Definitely go for double if you like them thicker. Enjoy!
do you have the nutritional information?
Hi Kristin, not yet! I’m slowly, but surely working my way through adding that info to the site. There are nutritional calculators online. Good luck! 🙂
I’ve got instant oats. Is that the right thing or do I need something different?
Hi Nancy, you’ll actually need rolled oats, which are also called “old-fashioned oats.” The instant oats you have might work, but no guarantees since that’s not what I developed the recipe with. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
This looks great!
These are delicous but the picture is wrong. I used an 8 x 8 dish as stated in the direction but my bars were not as thick as seen in the picture, these were a measly 1/3 of an inch high. The picture makes them look like they are 3/4 – 1″ inch in height. If I knew they would be so thin I would have easily doubled the batch. Oh and I did sprinkle some sea salt on top for a little kick.
Glad to hear you enjoyed them! Good idea to increase the batch to your liking, and to add the sea salt. Enjoy! 🙂