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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 can be made with rice krispies or corn flakes.
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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 3/3/13 – notes and photos updated 3/29/23}
These are dangerous! I know just where you're coming from with that 'I'll make these 'cause the kids will love them and I won't be tempted' technique…it never works, does it 😉
I think you could probably use the microwave for these? My daughter at college always needs new treats that she and her friends can make in the dorm.
For me I like that you say one little square satisfies your chocolate craving. I seem to need that little bit of chocolate after dinner, and better one of these than a whole bag of chocolate chips!
You could definitely use a microwave. These would be perfect for college life. (They beat the heck out of a bag of chocolate chips!) I'm not a "one-bite" of chocolate kinda girl, but these definitely satisfy the sweet tooth.
Where do u get the coconut oil at?
WalMart
You can buy coconut oil at most grocery stores. It should be with the baking goods and all the other oils.
For best deal on coconut oil..nutiva. com
I get my oil from Sam's club can't beat the price and lots of different uses for coconut oil as well.
Costco… Big 1.5 kg or 54 oz jar of organic oil Carrington Farms…cant beat the price at approx $16.00
Absolutely, Costco is the place to pick up CO. Health food stores carry Nativa (very good stuff) BUT extremely expensive.
Coconut oil is not easy to get in the UK and even when you can get some, it's extremely expensive! Is there something else I can use instead?! x
Hi Tracie,
You can make this with butter in place of the coconut oil. I hope that helps!
Mary
If I use butter instead ofthe coconut oil, would I use the same amount??
Yes, you will need the same amount.
Have made these twice and they are to die for. Love the fact that they have all that healthy stuff in them but you still have to watch how many you eat. (and that's not easy) lol
even better using hazel nuts!
This is a wonderful and simple recipe that I can make in no time. Thanks so much!
Well they look perfectly amazing and I have some coconut oil I need to use – guess I better make these soon! I love anything with peanut butter and chocolate – so perfect!
Okay now I need to make these TODAY!
These have everything I love. I'm all over this!
I'm so with you on the ugly no-bake cookies. These look stunning!
I totally get what you mean about the love/hate thing with no-bake cookies, these look absolutely gorgeous though – so photogenic!
Yummy! I have everything but the coconut oil. Is it a must or can I do without?
You can sub butter for the coconut oil. Enjoy!
Can I substitute almond butter for the peanut butter?
It should work without any problems. Enjoy!
Hi
What can I use instead of coconut oil?
Butter will work as well. Enjoy!
Would u say 100g of butter?
To substitute butter for the 1/2 cup of oil, you'll need 113 grams or 4 ounces of butter. (100g would probably work fine though.)
what about coconut flavoring ?
You could certainly add some coconut extract if you like, but I don't think it needs it. There is already a coconut flavor in this recipe. Let me know if you try it and how it turns out!
I love these squares and add a bit of cocoa powder and chopped cranberries to make it more chocolaty and add that fruit chewiness. Love it!
This sounds so yummy! A recipe for this weekend I think. You mention not liking the raw oat taste, have you ever considered toasting your rolled oats and coconut (and allowing them to cool) before you add them to your mix? Try it, I doubt that you will stop at one piece if you do though 🙂
Amen!
Mmmm…these sound delicious! Can't wait to try them!
Kelly
I always toast the oats before making the regular no-bake. I believe I will try this one and do the same. I really LOVE the taste of toasted oats over just plain ones. I may throw in some dried cherries, too!
Oh you are so evil for making me do this! 😀
How do you toast the oats please?
Here's a link for toasting the oats, Brad. http://www.livestrong.com/article/475814-how-to-toast-oats/
can you use natural coconut oil?
Yes. That's perfect.
Add a sprinkling of sea salt and these are to die for ~ seriously!
Would it be possible to get the calories, carbs, protien, fat, and fiber content. thanks
I don't track that information, however there are a number of websites that will calculate it for you. Here is a link to one of them: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/calculator
I hope that helps!
I used light butter and also put the oatmeal into a blender for just a few seconds and they turned out amazing!
These look awesome! I make a similar bar with PB included, but no coconut oil. I love your idea with coconut oil and your bars are calling my name! Beautiful! Pinned!
Yours look beautiful. Thank you for the shout out and link-back. Truly appreciated.–New Nostalgia