No-bake cookies have met their match with these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars. It doesn’t get much easier than just stirring everything together and pouring it into a pan.
Before I tell you more about these amazing homemade candy bars, I’d better confess that no-bake cookies and I have a bit of a love/hate relationship.
No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
I love how easy no bake cookies are to make; I hate how unattractive they tend to be. I love how rich the chocolate and peanut flavors can be; I hate the raw oatmeal that frequently overwhelms the cookies.
(That whole raw oatmeal situation is balanced with the addition of coconut in these no bake chocolate coconut cookies or bars or bites… whatever you call them, the coconut changes the texture (and improves it!) in the best way possible.)
When I ran across these no-bake bars, (a.k.a. “the best recipe I’ve ever messed up“) I couldn’t believe I’d never thought to try making the cookies into bars. At least they would look better, right?
I’m going to be flat-out honest here and tell you my thinking when I started making these treats. (My friend Donna can attest to it because we were talking on the phone at the time.)
I thought, “I’ll make these because the kids will love having a dessert over the weekend and I won’t be tempted to eat more than one.”
Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Bars
That is seriously funny in hindsight. I almost licked the saucepan clean as I was waiting for the bars to harden in the refrigerator.
The additional coconut, honey, and nuts in these bars take them far out of the league of traditional no-bake treats.
That oatmeal that I dislike in other cookies? It is providing structure and just a bit of flavor, instead of being the dominant ingredient.
No Bake Chocolate Coconut Cookies
There are plenty of options with these bars. If you prefer a completely unprocessed ingredient list, use pure dark chocolate, natural peanut butter, and unsweetened coconut.
No-bake cookies and bars benefit greatly from the addition of coconut. The texture and the flavor can’t be beaten. If you are like me and have no plans to give up your refined sugars (and are too impatient to make a special trip to the store), use whatever ingredients happen to be in the house.
I found that a 1″ square piece of these bars satisfied my chocolate craving. (One square at a time, that is. I can’t even describe how much I enjoyed these treats!)
As I was enjoying one of these with my husband late last night, we both agreed that they put store-bought candy bars to shame.
These no bake chocolate peanut butter bars are a naturally gluten free treat too! Check out all of our gluten free dessert recipes here.
For more no-bake desserts, try these Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies, Monster Cookie Dough Bites, and the Chocolate Zebra Cake.
Kitchen Tip: I use these bowls, this spatula, and this pan to make this recipe.
No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars
You’ll need the following ingredients to make this recipe:
- peanut butter
- honey
- coconut oil
- rolled oats
- shredded coconut
- chopped pecans
- dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- vanilla extract
To make the chocolate coconut bars, melt the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently as the mixture melts.
When it has melted, remove from the heat and add the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is completely smooth.
Add the oats, coconut, and pecans. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture into an 8×8 pan. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, at least 3-4 hours.
Slice into 1″-2″ square pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
To make this in the microwave, combine the peanut butter, honey, coconut oil, and chocolate chips in a large glass mixing bowl. Microwave 90 seconds at high power. Stir and return to microwave. Heat for an additional 90 seconds, only until the chocolate has almost melted. Stir until smooth.
No Bake Cereal Bars
Rice Krispies Treats are the original no-bake cereal bar and I know very few people who can resist them. Want to know how to make gooey, soft, and chewy Rice Krispie Treats?
Chocolate-drizzled peanut butter cup rice crispy treats, coconut lover’s rice crispy treats, even chocolate-covered pretzel rice crispy treats – I love them all.
No bake cereal bars like these no bake crunch bars and these crispy chocolate bars can made with rice krispies or corn flakes. And for the ultimate treat for any peanut butter lover, no bake peanut butter bars can be made in mere minutes.
Those chewy, slightly crunchy, peanut butter cereal bars are loaded with pockets of gooey marshmallows and they are a huge hit every time we make them.
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 1¼ cups dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats (not instant oats)
- 1 cup coconut
- ½ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Melt the peanut butter, honey and coconut oil in a medium-size saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently as the mixture melts.
- When it has melted, remove it from the heat and add the chocolate chips and vanilla. Stir until completely smooth. Add the oats, coconut, and pecans. Stir to mix well.
- Pour into an 8×8 pan. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, at least 3-4 hours. Slice into 1″-2″ square pieces. Store in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
{originally published 3/3/13 – notes and photos updated 3/29/23}
Kim says
I make these for the staff at the best flower shop in town when I go in for holiday help. They kind of don’t let me in the door without them really, but not really. I do eyeball the ingredients BUT, I always add espresso powder. And the staff absolutely loses their minds over them. I think every time I saw our sales manager today she had one in her hand. I make a huge batch and spread it out on my 15×21” sheet pan (lined with foil and then parchment on the bottom) and put it in the freezer. If you use less oil, they’re harder to cut when cold. I also use unflavored coconut oil. I find sweetened coconut is just enough flavor to go with everything else in them.
Mary Younkin says
How lucky they are to have you, Kim. I am going to have to try adding espresso powder the next time I make them.
Lola says
Love, love, love!! These really are very easy and so good.
Mary Younkin says
I couldn’t agree more, Lola!
Julie says
These all sound great; I just read these as I got off work this morning and immediately thought of holiday options regarding my little granddaughters, why not use some food coloring in the coconut to jazz things up !
Mary Younkin says
That is a fun idea, Julie.
Debra says
How do I make the rice krispy peanut butter bars but not use any coconut or nuts
Mary Younkin says
You could swap the coconut oil for butter and then omit the coconut flakes and nuts perhaps.
Lola says
I’d give more stars if I could. We love these!! So easy and irresistible. I make them often. Thank you!!
Mary Younkin says
I agree! This recipe deserves all the stars! Such an easy go-to recipe for my family as well.
Cathy Switzer says
Wonderful recipes, especially anything coconut!
Mary Younkin says
Enjoy the peanut butter bars, Cathy!