No bake peanut butter Oatmeal fudge bars

Incredibly easy to make and impossible to resist, these peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars are a healthier no-bake version of the famous Starbucks oatmeal fudge bars and only require 5 ingredients!

These are a classic treat for get-togethers, potlucks, and holidays, but most recipes you find online, like copycat Starbucks oatmeal fudge bars, are packed with an alarming amount of sugar, butter, and unnecessary ingredients. This version, made no-bake, vegan, gluten-free, and way lower in sugar, will have you falling in love after just one bite!

No-bake oatmeal fudge bar recipe video

Why you’ll love these oatmeal fudge bars:

• Easy! These are no-bake, so they don’t require an oven and are absolutely fool-proof! They come together super quickly!
• Dietary needs: These are made much lower in sugar than the classic, are naturally sweetened with maple syrup, and are vegan, gluten-free, and can be made nut-free!
• They are made with just a handful of wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, oatmeal, and high-quality chocolate (which yes, does contain antioxidants! 😉
• They only take 15 minutes to make, making them a super easy healthier dessert option for any occasion!

How to make oatmeal fudge bars

Full recipe is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post!

Equipment

• Mixing bowl
• Loaf pan

Ingredients & substitutions

• Oats: I like to use organic quick oats as the bars tend to hold together better with the smaller flakes, however old fashioned rolled oats will also work! Note: If you don’t have quick oats, you can always pulse rolled oats in a food processor for a second or two to break them down a little!
• Peanut butter: You can sub any nut or seed butter. Sunflower seed butter makes a great nut-free option!
• Chocolate chips: I like to use the brand Hu Kitchen to keep these refined sugar free. I have a code “danishealthyeats” for a discount!
• Maple syrup: You can also use honey or another sticky sweetener.
• Vanilla extract & sea salt

Steps to make peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars

1. Mix together the oat base ingredients until a sticky-ish mixture forms.
2. Press half of the mixture into the bottom of a lined loaf pan.
3. In a large bowl, add the peanut butter filling ingredients. Heat in 30 second increments, stirring well between each, until smooth. Pour the mixture over the oat base.
4. Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over top of the filling, pressing it gently into the top.
5. Place the pan in the freezer for 3-4 hours before cutting into bars.

how to store leftover oatmeal fudge bars

Store leftovers in an air-tight container in the freezer! You can let them thaw for a few minutes before enjoying for a softer texture, but don’t leave them out for too long as they’ll start to melt.

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Oatmeal Fudge Bars (Vegan & gluten-free)

Incredibly easy to make and impossible to resist, these peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars are a healthier no-bake version of the famous Starbucks oatmeal fudge bars and only require 5 ingredients!

5 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 12 minutes mins

Set time 2 hours hrs

Total Time 2 hours hrs 12 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Ingredients

  

Oatmeal base

• 2 cups quick oats
• 1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
• 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract & pinch of sea salt

Fudge filling

• 3/4 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips (See notes)
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp Sea salt

Instructions

 

• Line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper (for thicker bars you can use a loaf pan). Mix together the oatmeal base ingredients until well combined.
• Spread 1/2 of the mixture into the bottom of the pan, pressing it down firmly, making sure it covers the bottom completely.
• Add the filling ingredients together in a large bowl. Heat in the microwave in 30 sec increments, stirring between each until fully melted. Alternatively you can use the double-boiler method. Pour the chocolate mixture over the base, spreading it out evenly.
• Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over top, pressing it down gently into the chocolate layer to stick.
• Place the pan in the freezer for 3-4 hours until completely firm, before cutting into bars. Store in an air-tight container in the freezer.

Video

Notes

What chocolate works best? If you want sweeter bars, I recommend a milk chocolate. Dark chocolate will result in a less-sweet, slightly more bitter filling. If you only have dark chocolate, i’d add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup to the filling.

*Store thees in the freezer. You can let them thaw a couple minutes to soften them if needed but don’t leave them out too long or they may get a little crumbly!

Keyword healthy dessert, oatmeal fudge bars, oatmeal recipes, Peanut Butter, peanut butter oatmeal, starbucks oatmeal fudge bars