No-Bake Sugar-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars
These bars are rich, chewy, chocolatey, and made entirely without added sugar. They’re perfect for gifting, freezing, or serving to a crowd. They require no baking, come together in minutes, and taste like a cross between a candy bar and an oatmeal cookie.
Ingredients
For the oat layer:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
½ cup butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
½ cup sugar-free sweetener (monkfruit, allulose, or erythritol)
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
For the chocolate layer:
1½ cups sugar-free chocolate chips
2 tbsp peanut butter (to make the chocolate soft and creamy)
Instructions
1. Prepare the base
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and peanut butter together.
Add sweetener, vanilla, and salt. Stir until dissolved and smooth.
Remove from heat and stir in oats until fully coated.
2. Layer the bars
Press half of the oat mixture into a parchment-lined 8×8 or 9×9 pan.
Melt sugar-free chocolate chips with peanut butter (microwave 30-second bursts or stovetop).
Pour melted chocolate over the bottom oat layer and spread evenly.
Crumble the remaining oats on top and gently press to adhere.
3. Chill
Refrigerate for 2 hours (or freeze 30 minutes) until firm.
Slice into squares and enjoy!
Servings
Makes 16 large bars or 25 small squares
Nutritional Information (per bar — 25 small squares)
Approximate values depending on ingredients used.
Calories: 130
Fat: 10g
Carbs: 10g (Net carbs vary depending on sweetener)
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 3g
Sugar: 0g added sugar
Recipe Notes
Use quick oats if you prefer a softer, smoother texture.
Coconut oil produces a slightly firmer bar than butter.
If the mixture feels too dry, add 1–2 tbsp warm peanut butter.
Bars store extremely well and do not crumble when sliced cold.
Tips for Best Results
Line the pan with parchment for easy removal.
Keep bars refrigerated for clean cuts.
Melt chocolate gently to avoid seizing.
Use runny, natural peanut butter for the best texture.
Benefits
Sugar-free — great for keto, diabetic-friendly, or low-sugar diets.
No-bake — fast and holiday-friendly.
High-energy snack from healthy fats + oats.
Customizable — add nuts, seeds, shredded coconut, or sugar-free caramel.
Q & A
Q: Can I make these vegan?
Yes — use vegan butter or coconut oil + vegan sugar-free chocolate chips.
Q: Can I freeze the bars?
Absolutely. They freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge 15 minutes before cutting.
Q: Can I replace peanut butter?
Yes. Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work.
Q: Are these keto?
If you replace oats with unsweetened coconut flakes or crushed nuts, they can be made keto.
Q: Why did my bars not firm up?
Usually from too much peanut butter or warm kitchen temps. Chill longer or add more oats.