Healthy No Bake Pb Bars

Need a quick and easy dessert to make for the holidays to win over your family with? If so, you're in the right place! These no-bake peanut butter bars with a chocolate layer are extremely easy to make, tastes absolutely delicious, and are healthy!

These only require 5 main ingredients, and it's super versatile.

Peanut butter

Make sure the peanut butter you are getting only has 2 ingredients: peanuts and salt. Make sure to read the ingredients label on your jars because a lot of brands add in yucky oils and sugars. If you do use a thicker peanut butter, melt it for a few seconds in the microwave to make it runny. You can also use any kind of nut or seed butter for this recipe.

Oat flour

Oat flour is just blended up oats of your choice. I use gluten free oats, because I find them easier to digest. All you need to do is blend it in a high speed blender or food processor. Measure the flour after you blend!

Maple syrup

Maple syrup is my personal favorite sweetener of choice. It is packed with flavor, nutrients, and antioxidants. I haven't tried it yet, but I am sure honey would work just as good!

Cacao powder

Cacao powder is the purest and healthiest form of chocolate you can consume, and it contains a ton of beneficial nutrients. You could use cocoa powder for this recipe, but keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different and there wont be as many health benefits. You can get cacao powder at Walmart, Amazon, and any health food store.

Coconut oil

For the coconut oil, melt it in the microwave for a few seconds and let it cool down before adding it with the other ingredients. You can use any kind of coconut oil for this recipe!

*makes 12 small squares

Ingredients:

base:

2 cups oat flour

1/2 cup + 2 tbsp runny peanut butter

2 tbsp melted then cooled coconut oil

1/2 cup maple syrup

pinch of sea salt

optional- a few drops of liquid stevia for extra sweetness

chocolate layer:

3 tbsp cacao powder

2 tbsp melted then cooled coconut oil

2.5 tbsp maple syrup

pinch of sea salt

Directions:

- Blend oats to make oat flour

- In a medium sized bowl, mix peanut butter, maple syrup, and melted coconut oil until well combined.

- Add in salt and oat flour 1 cup at a time to wet mixture and combine until it forms into a sticky and moist dough.

- Place mixture in a small pan that's lined with parchment paper and place in freezer for 20 minutes.

- In a separate small bowl, add cacao powder, salt, maple syrup, and coconut oil.

- Heat in microwave for 10 seconds and stir until it's all combined.

- Once cooled, add the chocolate mixture on the top of the frozen peanut butter mixture and cover the top completely so it has a nice thin chocolate layer.

-Place back in freezer for another 20-30 minutes then cut into small squares.

*store in freezer