No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Bars

Ingredients

• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup chopped roasted peanuts

Instructions

1. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to lift the bars out later.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey, brown sugar, peanut butter, and coconut oil.
3. Stir constantly with a rubber spatula for 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and just barely simmering at the edges; do not let it boil hard.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
5. Add the rolled oats to the warm mixture and stir until every oat flake is coated and no dry patches remain.
6. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice, until it is warm but not hot to the touch.
7. Stir in the chopped peanuts, then fold in the mini chocolate chips (adding chips too early will melt them completely).
8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it down firmly and evenly using the back of a spatula or the bottom of a flat measuring cup; a firm, even press is what keeps the bars from crumbling later.
9. Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the bars feel firm and cold all the way through when pressed in the center.
10. Lift the block out using the parchment overhang, place it on a cutting board, and cut into 16 bars with a sharp knife.
11. Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Tips

Why You'll Love This

• Zero oven time needed
• Ready with pantry staples in about 10 active minutes
• Kid-friendly and easy to pack for lunches

Nutrition

Nutrition values are estimated per serving based on the ingredients used.