Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars

PinSave

I made these bars in 3 minutes flat.  They are going to become a new staple.  Fast, easy, simple, portable, and kid-approved.  And mommy-approved.  And they contain chocolate and peanut butter.  I mean, what’s not to love?

Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars


[print_this]

Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars

2 Tbsp Chocolate Chips

2 to 3 Tbsp Peanut Butter (or other nut butter)

2 Tbsp Milk (or nut milk) (I used vanilla coffee creamer!)

1/2 C Oats

Optional:

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Tbsp Sweetener (Brown/White Sugar, Agave, Maple Syrup or Stevia to Taste)

1 Tbsp Other Dry Ingredients (coconut flakes, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, more chocolate chips, raisins, scoop of protein powder, etc.)

Directions:

Melt the first three ingredients together in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring and checking

Then add the Oats and any optional ingredients, stir to combine.  (You want this mixture to be fairly dry.  If it’s not dry enough, add more oats one tablespoon at a time)

Press mixture into bars or balls.   Using a piece of plastic wrap on the inside of a square plastic container will save on dishes and cleanup.

Put in refrigerator or freezer for 10 minutes, or until bars have set up.   Slice or break apart.

Yields 3 Larabar-sized bars that are also vegan and gluten-free.

[/print_this]

Did you notice that snazzy Print This widget feature?  Thanks Christine for the tip off on that one.

Here’s how things went down.  Visually speaking.

Ingredients for Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars

Add the Chips + PB + Milk and then Nuke

Peanut butter, chocolate chips and milk in bowl

Then add the Oats and other OptionalsMelted chocolate chip miter with oats added in bowl

Press it into a plastic container or bowl, then freeze or refrigerate til set up.  Using plastic wrap saves on mess because you can just lift the whole thing out.  Messy cook anyone?

Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bar mixture being wrapped in plastic wrap

Yields 3 Bars.  I don’t always need a dozen, or more, bars.  Sometimes just a few is all I want or need.Sliced Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars on white plate

Close up of Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars sliced

Bars on plate showing the chocolate covered oats

Side view of sliced Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bar

The inside is perfectly chocolately and peanut buttery.  The peanut butter and oats keep them chewy, and the chocolate keeps them…Mmmm!Cut side of bars showing the layers of ingredients

Close up of cut side of bars

Three Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars on white plate

Definitely Kiddie Approved.

Young girl eating one Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bar

Young girl eating bar and smiling

Wrap any extras in plastic and take for an on-the-go snack.  That is, if you have any ‘leftovers’ from the yield of 3 bars.

Bar wrapped up in plastic wrap

Related Foods/Snacks that are No-Bake/Micro/Freezer type recipes:

 
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Bars

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Coconut Oil Protein Bars (Vegan, GF, No-Bake)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Coconut Oil Protein Bars

Microwave Banana Oat Cakes

Microwave Banana Oat Cakes

Biggie Microwave Banana Oat Cakes

Biggie Microwave Banana Oat Cakes

Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cakes

Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cakes

I also have an Oats Recipes Post that highlights many of my oat-containing recipes.

From my last post about the Challenge: In 10 Years, it was amazing reading where you all think you’re going to be in 10 years!  Wow.  Thank you for gracing me with your stories, dreams, goals, aspirations, and honesty.  I really loved reading those comments and I’m glad you enjoyed my thoughts about where I’ll be in 10 years and what I’ll be doing.

And yes, it’s so hard to predict life and the changes, twists and turns it will take.  Most of you told me you are amazed the way your life has unfolded and the life path you’re walking, living, and breathing right now.

Questions:

1. Best thing you’ve ate or done over the weekend?

I picked up some things for Skylar’s birthday party and we spent lots of time together as a family.  The weather has been great, high 60s/low 70s and sunny and we went for a few great long power walks.

2. Do you like to make your own snack bars?

Yes, see the above links.  Clearly, I’m a fan.

3. What’s in your “dream” snack bar?

Mine would have to have oats, chocolate, peanut butter and from there…you can’t go wrong!

Have a great week, everyone!

Leave a Comment

Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here

Comments

  1. I love to make my own bars! Of course I have to have oats and nut butter or honey, other ingredients vary depending on my mood. Sometimes I like chocolate if I am in a chocolate mood. If I want salty/sweet then I go with nuts/seeds and oats.

    I had gumbo for lunch today, that was delish :)

  2. I am in love with this. I have been wanting to make my own bars and this is so simple. I will definitely be making these this week. Thanks

    1. no shame girl. we are all busy and if someone wants to melt chocolate over a stovetop, they can. for me, i like the micro :)

  3. Ahhh those look SO good. This reminds me that I need to make your PB protein bars again soon….they’re one of the first blogworld recipes I ever made, and Mike still talks about how good they were. PB, chocolate…the best two ingredients are covered. I’ve just been on a baking hiatus since Christmas!

    Best thing from the weekend…well, since my birthday wasn’t technically on the weekend, I guess that only leaves dinner at Candle, which is fine because then I don’t have to choose between the two. You really do have to get there sometime, it’s absolutely amazing!

    1. i was just trying to comment on your post…and I.D. is being glitchey for me but i emailed you my comment :)

      and mike still talks about that recipe, and it being one of your 1st? awww, that’s so sweet thanks for telling me :)

  4. I don’t know how much of that batter would make it into the microwave — it looks so delicious beforehand too! (yes, sometimes I like to eat raw oats. not a lot. just a little. or i’ll put 1/2 a spoonful in my tea. strange food confession)

  5. These remind me of these no-bake cookies my grandma used to make. Only in her version, sugar wasn’t optional. :) And there was probably a lot of butter too.

  6. Droooooooooooooool! Those bars look scrumptious!! :)

    I think my dream snack bar would contain Nutella and chocolate chips.

    Love the Print Recipe plugin :) It’s so handy!

    1. Yes for sure!

      Food trivia…A baker’s square will melt easier (lacks the stabiliziers that chips have so will melt smoother/easier) and possibly be a darker % chocolate, but in many other ways, they are the same.

  7. If you find yourself with a few extra of these, I’d be more than happy to send you my address…