Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
on Apr 03, 2017, Updated Feb 26, 2025
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These Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars are easy to make with just 6 simple ingredients. Part energy bar, part dessert, enjoy these bars for a quick snack or treat any time of day.
About the Recipe
Love chocolate and peanut butter? You’ll love these easy no-bake granola bars! They’re super easy to make with just a few ingredients and are packed with chocolate goodness. There are lots of reasons to love them, like:
- Dietary: Vegan and gluten-free (use gf-certified oats if needed).
- No baking required!
- Easy to make with 6 simple ingredients.
- Perfect for a homemade dessert.
- Travel well for snacking on-the-go.
- Can be made nut-free for lunch boxes.
For more chocolate peanut butter goodness, don’t miss these Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars, Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls and No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll need just 6 simple ingredients to make these. Here’s what you’ll need and any substitutions you can make:
The full recipe list with measurements is in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Dates: Medjool, sayer or deglect noor dates all works as long as they’re soft and moist. If your dates are overly dry or you’re not sure, you can soak them in hot water for 15 minutes and drain well before using.
- Cocoa powder: Regular or dark cocoa powder work great. For extra nutrition, you can use raw cacao powder instead.
- Maple syrup: Can be substituted with agave syrup.
- Chocolate chips: Use your favourite dairy-free chocolate chips to keep this recipe vegan, otherwise, any chocolate chips work. You can also use cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate.
- Oats: Rolled oats, old fashioned oats or quick oats all work.
- Peanut Butter: Use natural peanut butter. Can’t do peanut butter? Almond butter or any other nut or seed butter is totally fine!
Recipe Adjustments
- Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of peanut butter.
- Gluten-Free Option: Be sure to use gluten-free oats.
- Sugar-Free Option: Use monk fruit sweetener instead of maple syrup and sugar-free chocolate chips such as Lily’s.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Add everything but the chocolate chips to a food processor and mix into a thick, sticky dough.
Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to combine.
Note: With the added maple syrup, the dough should come together but if it seems to dry (this can happen if your dates were too dry), you can add 1-2 tbsp warm water and process again.
Once you’ve create the dough in your food processor, press it into a parchment paper-lined loaf pan and pop the whole pan into the freezer for 1 hour to firm.
Once firm, lift the bars out of the pan and cut into squares.
Storing
- Freezer: Store in a sealed container for up to 3 months.
- Fridge: Store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
- They’re ok at room temperature if kept cool but they’ll get soft and the chocolate will melt if warm.
More No-Bake Recipes
Here are a few more no-bake treats to try:
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
- Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
- Peanut Butter Blondies
- No-Bake Chocolate Almond Bars
- No-Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars
Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup tightly packed soft pitted dates, 250 g
- 1/4 cup maple syrup, 80 g
- 1.25 cup oats, 150 g
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 65 g
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, 75 g
- 1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips, 80 g
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Place the dates in a food processor and process a bit start breaking them down, about 30 seconds.1 cup tightly packed soft pitted dates
- Add everything else, except the chocolate chips and process into a thick, sticky dough. You should easily be able to press the dough between if your fingers. If it seems to dry or crumbly, add 1 tsp warm water and process again. Check and repeat if needed.1/4 cup maple syrup, 1.25 cup oats, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse a few times to mix.1/2 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- Line a standard-sized loaf pan with parchment paper with two long strips that stick out either side of the pan and then press the dough tightly into the pan using your fingers. Place the pan in the freezer for 1 hour to firm.
- Lift out of the pan, cut into 8 squares or 16 small bars.
I made these bars today and not only were they healthy and easy, but they certainly satisfied my sweet tooth.
Awesome, so glad to hear that!!
Last night was my one year Veganversary so I made these to celebrate with. Unfortunately I was too full after dinner to enjoy them but I had some with lunch today and they are delicious! Just when I decided to limit my refined sugars, enter this little gem of a treat. Thank you!
I made these for my teenage daughter as a healthy alternative to store bought granola bars and not only does she like them but my husband and I are addicted too!! They are amazing!!
“No-Bake”, “Double-chocolate” “peanut butter” – these keywords are enough to make me go through this post.
And this recipe is even more awesome and healthy with dates and oats. I think we can add a few dry fruits like cashew nut, walnut and all to make it even more healthy.