These chewy no-bake peanut butter and chocolate chips granola bars make a healthy, satisfying snack made all in one pot with NO butter and are GLUTEN FREE with certified gluten free oats.
Do you guys go through those phases where you can’t stop making a certain recipe with different spins on it? I’m going through that phase right now with granola bar making and Girl Scout cookie flavors – Samoas particularly which you’ll start seeing a few different variations over the next little while.
Anyway, these Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Granola Bars are very similar to the {Healthy} {No-Bake} Almond and Cranberry Granola Bars where I use date paste as the sweetener.
They are both NO BAKE and the only real difference is that I swapped out all the almonds and cranberries for semi-sweet chocolate chips instead…..just because we could all use a little bit of chocolate sometimes 🙂
So these are still healthy but not totally refined-sugar free like those ones but you can still keep them dairy-free by using Enjoy Life chocolate chips.
The chocolate chips are just enough to satisfy your chocolate and sweet tooth craving but feel free to leave them out if you want.
These bars are soft and chewy and the same easy recipe that you can make all in ONE POT.
The peanut butter gives these that nutty flavor as well as protein to give you energy to start the day.
You can also easily sub in almond butter or any other nut or seed butter if you don’t want to use peanut butter.
Like my other granola bar recipes, you can swap out the add-ins for the ingredients that you like or have on hand. I also think these are best straight from the fridge or slightly chilled as they do soften up when left at room temperature for a long period of time.
Next time you feel like whipping up a batch of granola bars, give these bars a try. They are perfect for giving you that energy boost you need for a pre/post workout snack and make a healthy and hearty grab-and-go breakfast/snack that the entire family will love!
- 2 cups pitted dates
- 1/2 cup water
- homemade date paste from above equals to about 1 cup
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or nut or seed butter of your choice (preferably creamy and unsalted)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour you can also make your own by blending rolled oats in a food processor (use Certified Gluten Free oats to ensure they are gluten free)
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon ground flaxseeds
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt leave out if your nut butter is salted
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips divided (I used Enjoy Life brand to keep these bars dairy-free and gluten free)
- Line a 9x9 square pan (for thicker bars like in the pictures) or a 9x13 rectangular pan for thinner bars with parchment paper or foil that has been lightly sprayed with cooking spray leaving an overhang over the pan for easy removal of bars.
- Add dates and water to a medium pot on medium-low heat. Mash down with a fork and continue stirring and mashing while the mixture heats up. The dates should soften after about 3-5 minutes. Continue mashing and stirring until paste becomes smoother and uniform. It is okay to see some chunks still - as long as it is a uniform paste then it is ready to use.
- Once the date paste is smooth and softened, add peanut butter and coconut oil to the pot. Stir constantly to combine and remove from heat once the mixture is smooth and the coconut oil has melted (about 1 minute). Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour in the oat flour, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon and salt (if using) and mix in gently.
- Toss in the rolled oats and flaxseeds and combine gently with a spatula or large spoon. Gently fold in half of the chocolate chips but make sure the mixture is completely cool or else the chocolate chips will melt.
- Pour granola mixture into prepared pan.
- Spread evenly and press down very firmly using a flat spatula. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips evenly. Press down firmly again with a spatula or your hands to flatten and bind together. Chill in the freezer for at about 1 hour or refrigerator overnight to set.
- Remove from the freezer/fridge and use the foil overhang to transfer the uncut bars to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into even rectangles.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you have to stack them, be sure to use parchment paper or foil in between the layers, otherwise, they'll stick together. Bars are best enjoyed straight out of the fridge since they tend to soften up at room temperature.
These bars do soften up when left at room temperature or above so I think they are best straight from the fridge or slightly chilled.
Looking for more healthy snacks?
No-Bake Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola Bars
EASY No Bake 5 Ingredient Granola Bars
Stuffed Almond Joy Energy Bites
No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites
No Bake Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites
Did you try this recipe?
Lisa @ Simple Pairings -
The perfect salty-sweet travel snack! Peanut butter granola bars top the list for me – and the chocolate is such a sweet surprise! Love how portable they are.
Jennie @ Little Girl Designs -
These sound so delicious! I love how you used dates for the sweetness/binder rather than honey, maple syrup, or brown rice syrup. (I’ve made a lot of granola & granola bars in my day! 🙂 :)) I’m going to have to try these. Pinning and sharing! Have a wonderful week!
Kelly -
Thanks Jennie! Haha same here 🙂 I am a granola bar addict and love granola with honey, maple syrup or brown rice syrup but recently have been trying to cut back on adding any additional sugars and date paste makes a great natural sweetener. Hope you get to try these 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by and pinning! Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates -
Love no bake granola bars! These look awesome Kelly! Pinned!
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living -
Love how beautifully wrapped these are Kelly – what a great healthy treat!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats -
I always get stuck on a certain type of recipe! These looks amazing, totally something I could get stuck on too!