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?
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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.
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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.
Add the Chips + PB + Milk and then Nuke
Then add the Oats and other Optionals
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?
Yields 3 Bars. I don’t always need a dozen, or more, bars. Sometimes just a few is all I want or need.
The inside is perfectly chocolately and peanut buttery. The peanut butter and oats keep them chewy, and the chocolate keeps them…Mmmm!
Definitely Kiddie Approved.
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.
Related Foods/Snacks that are No-Bake/Micro/Freezer type recipes:
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Coconut Oil Protein Bars (Vegan, GF, No-Bake)
Biggie Microwave 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!
Great food like always!! :)
Absolutely love the new design of your blog.
Aw, thanks for the shout out on the print feature. :-) The bars look wonderful and super fast and easy, awesome job! And great pictures too.
1. Watched the Sacramento Kings win a basketball game, ate out and spent time with my sisters.
2. I haven’t yet, but should, I really liked the raw dough balls I made which would also be a good portable snack.
3. Lots of chocolate, low calorie and a good crunch – that’s a streatch, I know. :-P
I like bars that have peanut butter and are all-natural. Going to mark this recipe to try soon! :)
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Averie,
Congratulations for the great good-looking snack bars and also, thank you very much for sharing this recipe, I was really interested in the recipe. When I saw the pictures, the next second I started drooling, yummy. I am going to try to cook some microwave chocolate peanut butter oat snack bars too, I really hope they will taste good and I won’t mess up everything, hehe.
Best regards,
Maria
Hi there. I have been attempting for the first time to eat RAW this week. I have been looking for a good blog And WOW have i found it! i LOVE your pictures and recipes and how you give the vegan and raw alternatives to the recipe. I found it by looking for a good Raw cookie dough recipe. i have not tried anything yet but am planning to try a few! Just wanted to say thank you!
love your site so much! thanks for sharing!!
DEEELISH!!! you have outdone yourself again averie!!! i love this simple recipe!
this weekend was camp savage all weekend and it was amazing!
Averie, you are a bar making GENIUS! I have this one printed and ready to make, of course! <3
Sigh, oats, I love them but I am realizing they might not be the best for me with some health issues I have. Even the certified ones. I like to make oat bars for Chris incase he forgets to eat lunch or breakfast. Good idea. Without microwave, I’m assuming a stovetop and bake them? Yes slower but non an open fire at least.
certified GF I mean.
melt over stovetop
it seems like so much work for such a small amt of chocolate but if that’s your method, go for it.
and once melted, then just add everything else in, stir, freeze.
whether you melt the choc on the stovetop or in a microwave wouldnt effect the need to bake them. At least not for me! :)
Okay, those bars are calling…no, screaming, my name. I love you are your recipes Averie!!!
awww, thanks hon!
You had me at “Three minutes”…and guess what- I’m sooo excited b/c I ran out of my store bought bars and said “I need to find a good recipe for my own”. I just made yours (tweaked of course- I added crisped rice for volume and added the chips at the end so they were whole)…I’m anxiously awaiting when I get hungry enough to eat them- thank you!
there are a hundred tweaks one can go with these but basically single serving-ish, micro, no bake, choc, PB, vegan/Gf for those that care…these win on all fronts. And yes rice krispies will give them bulk! and i was gonna suggest chips at the end too and then honestly…didnt even want to confuse ppl by taking something so simple and making it trickier. lol
Those bars will definitely be a staple for me too. I’m on a huge ‘make it in the microwave’ kick :)