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!
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 8x8 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!