No Bake Oatmeal Fudge Bars
“Soft, nutty, chocolaty and best of all healthy NO BAKE oatmeal fudge bars to indulge your sweet tooth and delicious for a happy tummy!”
These no-bake oatmeal fudge bars contain no butter, flour, or sugar. They are easy to prepare, and most of all, it doesn’t require any baking. If you’ve never had an oatmeal fudge bar before, just picture eating a homemade oatmeal cookie sandwich with a layer of rich chocolate fudge at the center with crunchy crust and top. So yummy!
I have been into oatmeal lately. Aside from the banana oatmeal cookies I’ve made, these oatmeal fudge bars are also a great oatmeal recipe alternative. I like oatmeal due to its health benefits, it is also filling and I could grab it when I am in a hurry without worrying about extra calories.
Ingredients in making these healthy oatmeal fudge bars
Oats. The main star of the recipe! Since we are baking these bars, make sure to use quick oats. Oats are a very good source of fiber, especially beta-glucan, and are high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
Ground oats. Instead of using flour, ground oats will be our binder that will bring the ingredients together. To make ground oats, if you have none, simply grind quick oats with a food processor or a blender.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate. I used semi-sweet chocolate chips on this recipe to have a balance of sweetness and bitterness. You can use any chocolate chips you prefer. You can use dark chocolate as a healthier version.
Honey. Since we are not using any sugar in this recipe, we will use honey instead. It acts as a sweetener and as a binder as well to our oatmeal mixture.
Coconut oil and peanut butter. Instead of using butter, we use coconut oil and peanut butter for a healthier option. If you are not a peanut butter fan, you have other alternatives for these bars, including almond butter, cashew butter, or coconut butter.
Vanilla extract. Adds flavor to the mixture.
Chopped almonds and walnuts. They contribute to the crunchiness of the bars and also provide health benefits. Walnuts are high in antioxidants and rich in heart-healthy fats. While almond nuts contain lots of healthy fats, protein, fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E. That’s a lot of what you’re missing out on if you omit these nuts.
How to make these oatmeal bars
It is as simple as mixing all the ingredients together, placing it in a lined pan, and refrigerating it to set properly.
To prepare the oatmeal mixture, just combine all the ingredients together in a bowl reserving half of the chopped almonds. Then place about ¾ of the mixture and press down the pan as compact as you possibly can. This will prevent the mixture to crumble when you cut it into bars. Reserve some mixture for the toppings.
Next, we need to melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave for around 2-3 minutes, stopping and mixing every 30 seconds. Once fully incorporated, pour over the compacted oatmeal.
Then, place half of the remaining chopped almonds on top before putting the reserved oatmeal dough and distribute it on top of the chocolate layer.
Lastly, refrigerate for around an hour or overnight to firm. And slice it into bars.
Which Pan to use
I used a 7”x11” pan on making this recipe. They are about an inch tall.
You can use any 4-sides pan available with you however, it may affect the thickness of the bars.
If you use a small pan, it will give you taller bars. You can either make it as is or cut this recipe in half. The opposite effect when using a wider pan will result in thinner bars. Double this recipe if you want taller bars.
Best for snack, potluck, and gifts
You can enjoy these guilt-free chocolate bars with some milk for a perfect afternoon treat or breakfast.
These are also great for small gatherings and make a nice treat.
They are also a great gift as they can be packaged beautifully for holidays.
How to Store these oatmeal bars
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. But I find it best to store them in the fridge to make them last longer (about 7 days) and to prevent the chocolate mixture from melting due to the rise in temperature (especially in a tropical climate). You can also freeze them by lining bars in between parchment paper and placing them in an airtight container. They can last for about a month.
Make these bars for potlucks, or for snack, or even as a give-away or as a holiday gifts! Happy tummy!
No Bake Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowl and spatula
- Microwave or double boiler
- 7"x11" baking pan lined with parchment/baking paper
- Knife for slicing
- Food processor or blender (for grinding the oats)
Ingredients
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or essence
- 2 cups quick oats
- 1 cup ground oats
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chopped almond nuts
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate
- ¾ cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Line a 7”x11” pan with parchment or baking paper with around 2 inches overhang. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk together coconut oil, honey and vanilla. Mix well to combine.
- Add quick oats and ground oats and stir the mixture well until blended.
- Toss in chopped walnuts and half of the almond nuts and fold into the mixture until well incorporated.
- Place about 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan. Evenly distribute and press down firmly using a spatula or hands by folding the parchment paper over the mixture to make it compact. Set aside the remaining oatmeal mixture.
- To prepare the chocolate-peanut butter/ fudge layer, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave-oven safe bowl. Microwave at 30-seconds intervals, mixing between each one, until mixture becomes a smooth consistency. You can also use a double boiler on this step.
- Pour the chocolate mixture evenly over top of the oatmeal layer. Sprinkle the remaining chopped almonds and oatmeal mixture on top. Slightly press the topping into the fudge using a spatula.
- Refrigerate for about an hour or overnight to firmly set.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the overhang from the parchment paper and slice into bars according to your desired sizes.
- Serve, share and enjoy!
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