Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars taste like a candy bar!

They are decadent and fudgy but are made with wholesome ingredients! You could probably rationalize eating these for breakfast... (or you could get your breakfast chocolate fix from this Chunky Chocolate Granola!)

Have you tried my Peanut Butter Snack Bars recipe? These have the same base of oats and crisp brown rice but the addition of some cocoa powder makes them taste like dessert. Plus they are easy to make and transport, so they are a great snack to have on hand!

The Ingredients

• Oats- These bars hold their shape best when if you use quick oats. If you don't have any on hand, you can use large flake oats that have been pulsed in a blender 3-5 times. You would need about 1 and ¾ cups of large flake oats to yield the 1 ½ cups quick oats needed.
• Crisp Rice Cereal- You could use another puffed grain cereal in place of the rice such as puffed millet.
• Ground Flaxseed
• Chia Seeds- These just add a little bit of nutrition but can definitely be left out.
• Add ins- I used dark chocolate chips but you could try using chopped peanuts or other nuts, shredded coconut, white chocolate or peanut butter chips, raisins, or anything else you think might be good! Or you can add an additional ½ cup of crisp rice cereal instead.
• Peanut Butter- You will need 1 and ⅛ cups (1 cup plus 2 tbsp) of smooth peanut butter. I typically use natural style peanut butter but shelf stable peanut butter would work as well.
• Coconut Oil- You need an oil that is solid at room temperature in order for the bars to hold their shape so I don't recommend any substitutions.
• Maple Syrup- Feel free to use honey instead.
• Cocoa Powder
• Espresso Powder- This amplifies the chocolate taste in these bars but it can be left out.
• Fine Sea Salt

The Method

1. Mix together the oats, rice cereal, flaxseed, chia seeds and add ins.
2. Melt together peanut butter and coconut oil. Add maple syrup, cocoa powder, espresso powder and salt.
3. Pour peanut butter mixture into dry ingredients and stir to combine.
4. Press firmly into a 9×9 pan. (Tip: wet your hands to push down on the mixture so that it doesn’t stick to them)
5. Freeze, slice into bars and enjoy!

Leftover Storage

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Enjoy straight from the freezer or allow to come to room temperature.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Variations

Make Energy Balls– Scoop out 1-2 tablespoon of mixture, roll into balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Freeze for at least 30 minutes and then move into a container. Be sure to lightly wet your hands as you go so that it doesn’t stick to you.

Dietary Notes

If you have dietary restrictions, check the packaging of specific ingredients that you use to ensure they are compliant. This recipe is:

• Dairy Free
• Gluten Free
• Nut Free- If you use sunflower seed butter in place of peanut butter.
• Peanut Free- If you use another nut butter such as almond butter.
• Vegetarian
• Vegan

And if you liked this recipe...

...you might also like:

• Chocolate Hummus
• Lava Cakes
• Crunchy Peanut Butter Snack Bars
• 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies

More Snack Ideas!