Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal protein Bars or peanut chikki is the perfect no-bake, dessert snack that's both nutritious and delicious.
Healthy and delicious!
Table of Contents
Peanut Butter + Chocolate = Best Combo
KR loves peanut butter and chocolate – together, separate, and really on anything.
This is why I am always trying out new and different recipes using this combo.
Since he always craves something sweet after a meal, (or as he likes to say - his reward for eating his veggies!) I like to keep such treats handy.
This particular Peanut butter Oats Protein Bars recipe is an indulgent yet healthy treat! Perfect to enjoy guilt-free during the holidays and otherwise.
Also, the flavors remind me so much of the Indian Peanuts Chikki.
Some no-cook/no-bake treats for you
- Raspberry dates Coconut Balls
- Lemon Cream Cheese Bites
- Gulkand Shrikhand
- Shrikhand Milkshake
- Cheeselings Bhel
- Bhelpuri
- Vegan Chocolate Bars
If you love peanut butter, then try this Peanut Butter Cereal Ice Cream. It's so yum!
Need some recipes with oats? Check these out.
- Instant Pot Oats and Vegetable Upma
- Oats Veggie Pancakes
- Carrot Oats Dosa
- Eggless Almond Butter Oats Cookies
Make a big batch!
Why make this
This is one of the simplest and easiest dessert snacks that you can make and that too in just 10 minutes!
Satisfy your chocolate craving by making these Chocolate Peanut butter Oats Protein Bars.
- Food processor/blender recipe
- No-cook, no-bake
- Made with basic pantry ingredients
- Contains no refined sugar or artificial ingredients
- Freezer friendly, vegan and gluten-free
- Healthy and packed with protein and fiber
Bonus, if you have little helpers around, they can definitely lend a hand.
Ingredients needed
Can be made with basic pantry ingredients!
This is a Food Processor recipe. But you can use any blender available to you.
The other ingredients needed to make this easy and decadent Peanut butter Oats Protein Bars are:
Oats - Use rolled oats, old fashioned oats, or quick oats.
I like to roast oats and store them. They tend to last longer and give a nice flavor.
Emulsified Natural Peanut Butter - I prefer the smooth and creamy kind. But you can use any.
Dates - I prefer using Medjool dates because they are naturally sweeter and chewy.
Dark Chocolate - I have used 80% dark chocolate in this recipe. You can also use chocolate chips here.
Other ingredients - Flax seed powder (for omega-3), chia seeds, vanilla extract, and little milk (non-dairy or dairy).
Here's how to make it
So easy to make!
Since this is a no-cook, no-bake recipe, it comes together pretty quickly!
1) If you don't have roasted oats, quickly dry roast them for 2-3 minutes before starting the recipe.
2) Then you need to soften the dates. For that, soak pitted dates in warm water for 10 minutes. It helps with the grinding.
3) Drain the water from the dates and transfer it to the food processor. Also add chia seeds, salt, flax seed powder, and vanilla extract.
4) Then add the peanut butter. This is what gives the peanut chikki flavor.
Can make it in a food processor or a blender.
5) Pulse till smooth.
6) Then add the roasted oats to the processor.
7) Pulse it again till it's all broken down and well combined.
8) Line an 8″x8″ baking dish with parchment paper to make these easy to remove from the pan later and transfer this mixture to it.
Try this recipe today!
9) Press down firmly with fingers or the back of a glass/bowl until the mixture is evenly spread and packed down.
10) Melt some dark chocolate. Add little milk if needed. It should achieve a thick sauce consistency.
11) Pour this chocolate sauce over the mixture.
12) Spread the chocolate evenly by tilting the pan on all sides. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if desired.
Refrigerate for about 30 minutes so it sets. Take it out of the pan by pulling on the parchment paper.
Evenly cut into the bars or squares using a sharp knife. You can then distinctly see the peanut butter and chocolate layer.
Perfect snack for any time of the day!
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy them at room temperature or eat them frozen. Store these Peanut butter Oats Protein Bars in Ziptop Containers or any other container of your choice.
There a variety of ways to serve them. You can enjoy them as a light dessert post a meal or as a midnight snack when the cravings hit.
These no-bake chocolate oatmeal bars also make a great pre or post-workout snack. You can also enjoy this peanut chikki for breakfast on the go.
Throw in 1-2 bars in your smoothie to make it more power-packed and flavorful.
Great for potlucks, parties, and date nights too! Just make them ahead of time and enjoy!
Like me, you can also make and distribute this peanut chikki to loved ones as food gifts during the holidays.
Top tips, recommendations, and suggestions
You can also add coconut and/or almond flour along with oats for more flavor and nutrition.
Use good quality peanut butter. Processed creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy works the best here.
But if the jar's been open for long and it smells stale, then don't use it.
Peanut butter powder can also be used as a substitute. Just mix it with water to get the right consistency.
If you run out of dark chocolate, mix 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and use it in place of dark chocolate.
Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of Nutella along with chocolate for more flavor.
If you are allergic to peanuts, use natural creamy almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead.
And if the butter is a bit dry, add 1-2 tablespoons of oil.
If you don't want to use or have dates, add 1/3 cup pure maple syrup/honey instead.
Add some chopped nuts of choice on top of these no-bake chocolate oatmeal bars for some extra protein. You can also sprinkle some sea salt on top.
Ensure that the parchment paper is bigger than the baking dish or pan. It will help lift the bars out of it.
Also remember, the size of the pan will determine how thick or thin the bars are.
These bars can be stored in an airtight container, in the fridge for 7-10 days.
You can also put them in the freezer for nearly 2-3 months. When you want to eat, transfer the bars to the fridge to thaw and then enjoy.
Soft, chewy, and tasty!
If you’ve tried this Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Oats Recipe or any other recipe on the blog please let me know how it went by commenting below, I love hearing from you!
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars with Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup Mejdool dates
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp flax seed powder
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 3 oz dark chocolate
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats
- 1-2 tbsp shredded coconut for garnish
Instructions
- If you don't have roasted oats, quickly dry roast them for 2-3 minutes before starting the recipe.
- Then you need to soften the dates. For that, soak pitted dates in warm water for 10 minutes. It helps with the grinding.
- Drain the water from the dates and transfer it to the food processor. Also add chia seeds, salt, flax seed powder, and vanilla extract.
- Then add the peanut butter. This is what gives the peanut chikki flavor.
- Can make it in a food processor or a blender. Pulse till smooth.
- Then add the roasted oats to the processor. Pulse it again till it's all broken down and well combined.
- Line an 8″x8″ baking dish with parchment paper to make these easy to remove from the pan later and transfer this mixture to it.
- Press down firmly with fingers or the back of a glass/bowl until the mixture is evenly spread and packed down.
- Melt some dark chocolate. Add little milk if needed. It should achieve a thick sauce consistency.
- Pour this chocolate sauce over the mixture.
- Spread the chocolate evenly by tilting the pan on all sides. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if desired.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes so it sets. Take it out of the pan by pulling on the parchment paper.
- Evenly cut into the bars or squares using a sharp knife. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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I love these bars! They are so flavourful and easy to make, and you are right - peanut butter and chocolate is the best combo ever!
I know right! Thank you so much.
Peanut butter & chocolate is simply the best combo! Made these the other day and I am already planning batch number 2!
Thank you so much, Glad you enjoyed it
Peanut butter + chocolate DOES = best combo!!
Thank you! It really is!
I love how simple these are to make! And peanut butter and chocolate is my fave!
Thank you.
Oh yum! You can never go wrong with the chocolate & peanut butter combo! 🙂
I know right! Thank you
I love that this is so healthy and delicious! These make the best "sweet treat" protein bars. I can eat these without the guilt!
Yes they really do! Thank you.
Oh my! These look sooo good!
Thank you! 🙂
These are hands down better than any store bought bar I've ever tried! LOVE the peanut butter flavor and the natural sweetness from the dates is perfect!
Thank you so much. I am glad you liked it.
Chocolate and peanut butter is such an amazing combination. These look amazing.
I know right! Thank you.
Omg peanut chikki was one of my favorite childhood treats!! I haven't had it in years honestly, and I am SO excited to recreate this at home thanks to your recipe!
Same here. That's exactly why this reminded me of peanut chikki 🙂