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Chocolate Oat Bars Recipe-No baking required

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The holidays are hectic and there is so much to bake and decorate.  Take a break from the oven with these chocolate Oat Bars recipe that is easy to make and you probably have everything in your pantry already.  No bake cookie recipes are a time saver during the busy holidays or even in the summer when you don’t want to put on the oven.  These also freeze well so make them ahead of time for even more of a time saver. Can’t wait to see what you think of these Chocolate Oat Bars.

easy oatmeal peanut butter

 
 
 
As I was breezing through my cookbooks I found a printed recipe given to me by a friend several years ago.  I have not made it in a while and when the directions stated: freezes well, no oven needed to be turned on; and I had all the ingredients at home already, I started right away.  Thanks Colleen!
 
no bake layered oatmeal bars
 
 
This is not stated in the original recipe but I lined the pan with tin foil so I could easily pull out the entire pan and cut it without worry about scratching my pan.  The second time I made them without layering tin foil and they came out fine.  However,  as I was cutting them I did probably scratch my pan. 
 
 
 no bake oatmeal cookies
 
Print
NO Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
Prep Time
20 mins
 

A no bake recipe that is filled with oats, peanut butter and chocolate need I say more. NO Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: NO BAKE
Keyword: NO Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
Servings: 20 squares
Calories: 250 kcal
Author: Maria @ Close to Home
Ingredients
  • Chocolate Oat Bars Recipe
  • 1 cup 2 sticks butter or margarine 3/4 cup( 1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine*
  • 1/2 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla
  • 3 cups uncooked quick oats
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup crunchy or creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips--Optional
Instructions
  1. Grease 9 inch square baking pan. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and vanilla;mix will Add the oats to the pan.
  2. Cook over low heat 2 or 3 minutes or until ingredients are well -blended.
  3. Press half of the mixture into prepared pan. Use back of large spoon to spread mixture evenly.
  4. Melt chocolate chips in small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. (or just microwave, I used a 2 cup liquid measuring glass)
  5. Stir in peanut butter.
  6. Pour chocolate mixture over oat mixture in pan;spread evenly with a knife or back of spoon.
  7. Crumble remaining oat mixture over chocolate layer, pressing in gently.(you can add the optional mini or regular chocolate chips now too)
  8. Cover and refrigerate 2 or 3 hrs or overnight. Bring to room temperature to cut into bars.
  9. (Bars can be frozen;let thaw at least 10 minutes before serving).
Recipe Notes

I felt the original recipe mixture had a lot of butter at the bottom of the pan and could use a little less butter

Nutrition Facts
NO Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 250 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 115mg 5%
Potassium 146mg 4%
Total Carbohydrates 21g 7%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Sugars 10g
Protein 3g 6%
Vitamin A 5.9%
Calcium 2.5%
Iron 7.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
 
This is a very rich bar so I cut them fairly small.  My husband tried one and agreed.
 
If you are looking for more make ahead treats check out the Cranberry Scones I made in the past.  You can make them ahead of time and freeze them until you are ready to bake and serve. 

 
What is your favorite no bake cookie recipe? Love for you to share and I can try it!

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Comments

  1. Those look delicious! The only no-bake cookies I have ever had are the ones with chocolate, peanut butter, oatmeal, sugar and butter

  3. I love no bake desserts and the NO Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars sound delicious and a good dessert for me to make and take for my Holiday party! Thanks for sharing. So easy to make.

  5. Seeing this recipe again made me realize that I had not made them in forever! They are excellent frozen…and then are ready to pull out when company arrives! They are rich. Also, it looks like a lot of steps, but its sooo easy!