I originally published this recipe in 2012 and have since added new photos and easier-to-understand instructions. After making these no-bake bars for the 100th time, I decided it was time to revamp this post. While so much has changed in the last decade, the recipe for these incredibly irresistible bars has stood the test of time. Made from pantry staples like oats, coconut oil, peanut butter, maple syrup, and chocolate chips, and textured with crisp rice cereal, crunchy nuts, and chewy plump raisins… I swear there must be some Willy Wonka magic in these bars to turn such simple ingredients into something that tastes like a candy bar.
Why You’ll Love These No-Bake Chocolate Fudge Oat Bars
Tastes like a candy bar—no one will believe it’s a healthier dessert recipe Easy no-bake recipe comes together in 10 minutes Gluten free if using certified GF oats and rice crisp cereal Dairy free and vegan if using non-dairy chocolate chips Choose your favorite granola bar add-ins, like nuts and dried fruit Chewy, crispy, crunchy, soft—it’s texture paradise Perfect balance of salty and sweet, and oh-so-chocolatey!
Think Chewy Granola Bar Meets Crispy Chocolate Bar…
A combination of coconut oil, chocolate, peanut butter, and maple syrup coats the dry ingredients in what tastes like chocolate fudge. Seriously. Another reader, Lisa, commented: “I made these today and the whole family loved them. My add-ins were coconut, pecans, and dried cranberries. My 7-year-old liked them so much, she requested them for her birthday! ★★★★★” The oats give the fudge-like bars the most delicious chew, the rice cereal adds the crispy texture of a Nestle Crunch bar, and if you include peanuts, these bars have definite Snickers vibes as well. The recipe is like a chocolate version of these peanut butter trail mix bars.
Start With These 6 Ingredients
Coconut Oil: Melted together with chocolate, coconut oil gives these bars their soft, fudge-like texture. If you want a substitute for coconut oil, use butter; you need a fat that is solid at room temperature, so liquid oils wouldn’t work for this recipe. Chocolate Chips: We’re using chips for ease here, but you could also use chopped baking chocolate. Normally, if melting chocolate (like when making chocolate ganache or coating Oreo balls), I recommend using chopped baking chocolate instead of chocolate chips, but because we’re melting the chocolate with coconut oil, chocolate chips work just fine. Peanut Butter: Either creamy or crunchy peanut butter work, just like both work for flourless peanut butter oatmeal cookies. I usually use natural-style, but processed peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy works too. You could also make these with almond butter, or use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option. Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup sweetens the bars, but they don’t taste like maple. You could use honey instead, if you prefer. Oats: Old-fashioned whole rolled oats give the bars structure with a slightly chewy texture. Crispy Rice Cereal: Rice Krispies (or similar style crisp rice cereal) provide the most delicious crisp in every bite. A little bit goes a long way, so you can use the rest of the box for future batches or even a pan of rice krispie treats!
Now, Choose Your Add-ins
Melt the coconut oil and chocolate chips together on the stove, and then stir in the peanut butter and maple syrup. Pour this mixture over the oats, crispy rice cereal, and add-ins. Stir to combine.
Peanuts (salted, unsalted, or honey roasted) Chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds Pistachios Raisins, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, or dried cherries Currants Chopped dried apricots or pitted dates Coconut flakes or shredded coconut (or try these no-bake coconut granola bars) Large seed such as pumpkin seeds (pepitas) Chopped pretzel pieces
Are These Chocolate Oat Bars Healthy?
The bars should be stored in the refrigerator. Kept at room temperature, they get a little soft and melty. Still delicious, but fall apart easily! I’m unsure of the nutritional information for these, but feel free to calculate it yourself using an online calculator and the exact ingredients/brands you use. For more healthier options to satisfy your sweet tooth, here is my collection of healthier dessert recipe ideas. They are also gluten free if using certified gluten free oats. For more gluten free sweet treats, here are 40 of my favorite gluten free dessert recipes.
