no-bake chocolate almond oat bars
Let’s start off with a confession – I’ve always been skeptical of the “no-bake” recipes I see floating around Pinterest. Out of sheer curiosity, I mixed up a batch of no-bake bars with zero expectations. Pantry staples (almond butter, honey, cinnamon, vanilla, oats) are all you need here, plus chocolate and sea salt, because why not? Two hours later, my no-bake bars were chilled and ready for their debut. After a tentative first bite, I was feeling a bit foolish for my attitude.
These bars hit all the right notes – chewy, with a nutty crunch. Cinnamon spiced and lightly sweetened with honey, a thin chocolate layer adds just a touch of richness. Enjoy for breakfast, or bring your kids on board to help make a pan for snacking. Five minutes, one pan (plus a bowl to melt the chocolate!), and no oven required – how easy is that?
Ingredients
- 1 cup crunchy almond butter (no salt)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup cashews, chopped
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil
- flaky salt
Instructions
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray. Combine almond butter, honey, salt, and cinnamon in a heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring until melted and smooth. Remove saucepan from heat and stir in vanilla, oats, almonds, and cashews until combined. Scrape mixture into prepared pan and use a piece of parchment paper lightly coated with nonstick spray to press evenly into pan.
- Combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove and stir. Continue microwaving and stirring in 15 second intervals until melted and smooth. Pour melted chocolate over bars and smooth with an offset spatula; let set 10 minutes, then top with flaky sea salt. Chill bars for two hours in the refrigerator, until set. Lift foil to remove bars from pan and place on a cutting board; cut into squares with a sharp knife. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or wrap well and freeze.
Notes
If almond butter or nuts are salted, reduce salt to 1/8 tsp. Inspired by Half Baked Harvest
Nutrition
- Calories: 240
- Carbohydrates: 28
24 comments
i love baking no bake granola bars but never seen anything pretty like this.
These are perfect for these warmer days! I love all the nutty flavours with the chocolate (and salt! 🙂
These look perfect for packing in lunches, picnics and bbqs. Delicious!
Love the flavor profile of these bars! And as it’s hotter than hot here, I love any recipe that doesn’t involve turning on the oven!
Those look fabulous! I must admit, I haven’t tried anything “no-bake”, but these in particular sounds delicious!
I’m a big fan of no bake bars made especially for the late afternoon “I want something sweet” snack. This recipe hits all the right notes, chewy, salty and chocolaty!
Perfect hot weather treat! These look terrific!!!
These bars look delicious, Laura! I’ve always been skeptical of no bake treats, myself… how do they stick together? Will they come out of the pan? Won’t they taste funny?
But this recipe… wow. I may just have to give no bake treats a try. Maybe there’s something to this trend after all… 🙂
These look like a great balance of wholesome and decadent Laura! 😀
No bake recipes usually put me off too, but I think it’s time to give them a second glance! Wow!! (Love the spoons!)
These would be my favorite!! I love bars with a thick chocolate layer!!
Yay for no bake treats during the summer heat! I bet these bars are delicious and I love that they don’t require any oven time!
is this your first time making a no-bake dessert?! Wow, these bars are fabulous!!! you always have the perfect squares!!! LOVE!
Wow, these look absolutely perfect! I don’t usually do no-bake bars, but I need to try these…love the flavors going on in there!
I’ve been skeptical of those no-bake recipes too, but never again! These are perfection, and absolutely gorgeous. Chocolate and sea salt – yes please, all the time!
Beautiful pictures as always Laura!
I’ve never made no-bake bars either but you sure have me tempted Laura. These look fantastic!
I have yet to make some no bake bars – but now i have the perfect recipe to try! They look and sound simply divine!
These look heavenly! Pinned of course 🙂 I just put a no bake recipe up, too! I was once a skeptic like you, but experience has changed us both 🙂
These look delish! I haven’t made no bake bars myself either, but do think I need to try it – they seem so healthy, easy and yum. I love the idea of using almond butter too – I often get put off by recipes using peanut butter as I am not really a fan, so may give these a go instead! 🙂
These bars look fantastic!!
Yum! Give me 10 now!
no bake treat! Who wouldn’t love that in this season right ? The bars look stunning.
No bake granola bars?! Sign me up!