no-bake chocolate oat bars

No-bake chocolate oat bars? Yes, please! They’re quick, chewy, and packed with chocolatey goodness — perfect for a snack or dessert without turning on the oven.

🍫 No-Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

🕒 Time:

• Prep: 15 minutes

• Chill: 1 hour
  🍽 Yields: 12 bars

🧾 Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats

• 1 cup peanut butter (or almond butter)

• ½ cup honey or maple syrup

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

• Optional: ¼ cup chopped nuts or seeds

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Prep pan:
   Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

2. Mix wet ingredients:
   In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine peanut butter, honey, and vanilla. Stir until smooth and warm.

3. Combine oats:
   Remove from heat and stir in oats, salt, and nuts/seeds if using.

4. Add chocolate chips:
   Let the mixture cool slightly (so chocolate doesn’t melt fully) then fold in half of the chocolate chips.

5. Press into pan:
   Transfer mixture to the lined pan and press firmly into an even layer.

6. Melt remaining chocolate:
   Melt the rest of the chocolate chips in a microwave or double boiler, then drizzle or spread on top of the oat layer.

7. Chill:
   Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.

8. Slice & serve:
   Use the parchment overhang to lift out the bars, then cut into squares.

🍽 Variations:

• Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter (allergy-friendly)

• Add dried fruit like cranberries or raisins

• Use dark chocolate or white chocolate chips instead

• Sprinkle sea salt on top for a salty-sweet finish