No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Bars

Introduction

Say hello to soft and chewy oatmeal raisin bars, no baking required! These bars combine the natural sweetness of dates and the wholesome goodness of oats with sweet bites of raisins and chocolate chips.

They make an energizing, fuss-free snack for busy home cooks, on-the-go families and anyone with an active lifestyle.

With no oven time and just 4 ingredients, so they’re quick and convenient to make. They’re also easy to customize with different add-ins like nuts or coconut.

For more oatmeal cookie treats, you have to try these oatmeal cookie bars and peanut butter banana oatmeal bars. For more no-bake goodies, these oatmeal chocolate bars and cashew coconut balls are both easy and delicious.

Alright, ready to whip these up? Let’s go over what you’ll need, how to make them and some tips and tricks for success.

Ingredient Notes

The complete list of ingredients with measurements is located in the recipe card at the end of the post. Use that when you’re ready to make the recipe.

• Dates: You can use any variety of date as long as they’re soft and moist. If not, you’ll have to soak them before using in the recipe.
• Oats: You can use rolled oats, quick oats or large flake oats.
• Raisins: Any variety of raisins works. You can substitute dried cranberries, nuts or seeds or omit them and use all chocolate chips.
• Chocolate Chips: Any chocolate chips, chocolate morsels or chopped dark chocolate works.
• Optional: I like to add salt, vanilla and cinnamon to enhance the flavour but they’re all optional.

Additions & Variations

• Nuts: You can replace up to half of the oats with pecans, walnuts or almonds. Blend them at the same time of the oats.
• Nuts or Seeds: You can replace the raisins or chocolate chips with chopped nuts or seeds of choice. Try pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.
• Coconut: You can replace the raisins or chocolate chips with shredded coconut or add up to 1/2 cup shredded coconut to the recipe.
• Spices: Experiment with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom or nutmeg.
• Chocolate: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the dough to make chocolate oatmeal raisin bars.
• Energy Bites: If you prefer, you can roll the dough into energy balls instead of making bars.

For more variations on this recipe, try these nut-free granola bars, sesame coconut energy bars (nut-free as well), peanut chocolate chip energy balls and no-bake oatmeal almond bars.

Recipe FAQs

Expert Tips

1. Dates: It’s important to use soft, moist dates to bind the bars together. If your dates are not soft or you’re unsure, pit them if they’re not already pitted and place them in a bowl of hot water. Soak for 10-15 minutes then drain well and proceed with the recipe.
2. Serving Size: You can make 8 large bars, 16 squares or 32 mini bars. I like making 32 mini bars so I can choose my serving size, 1, 2, 3, or 4!
3. Measuring: While accuracy is not hugely important for this recipe, I always reccomend using a digital kitchen scale to easily and accurately measure you ingredients.

Storing

• Fridge: In a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
• Freezer (Recommended): In a sealed container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Enjoy straight from the freezer as they don’t freeze solid.
• Room Temperature: If taking to-go, they’re okay at room temperature for 1-2 days but will get soft and mushy if they get too warm. Keep cool for best results.

What to Make Next

• No-Bake Sweet and Salty Peanut Butter Bars
• Chocolate Chia Energy Bars
• Hemp Protein Bars
• Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough Bites
• Sunflower Seed Energy Balls