{No-Bake} Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Granola Bars

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!

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{No-Bake} Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Granola Bars

Prep Time

20 mins

Chill Time

1 hr

Total Time

1 hr 20 mins

 

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 can be dairy-free with Enjoy Life Chocolate chips and GLUTEN FREE with certified gluten-free oats.

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: easy snack for kids lunches, granola bar recipe chocolate, healthy granola bar recipe

Servings: 12 granola bars

Calories: 287 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

Homemade Date Paste

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 1/2 cup water

Granola Bars:

• 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)

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
   

Make the Granola Bars:

1. 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.
2. Pour in the oat flour, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon and salt (if using) and mix in gently.
3. 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.
4. Pour granola mixture into prepared pan.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

Recipe Notes

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.

Nutrition Facts

{No-Bake} Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips Granola Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 287 Calories from Fat 126

% Daily Value*

Fat 14g22%

Saturated Fat 8g40%

Sodium 80mg3%

Potassium 328mg9%

Carbohydrates 36g12%

Fiber 4g16%

Sugar 20g22%

Protein 6g12%

Vitamin A 45IU1%

Calcium 35mg4%

Iron 1.4mg8%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Looking for more healthy snacks?

No-Bake Healthy Almond Cranberry Granola Bars

EASY No Bake 5 Ingredient Granola Bars

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No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites

No Bake Cranberry Coconut Energy Bites