4.86 28 Published Aug 08, 2023, Updated Oct 23, 2023 These chocolate coconut bars also great if you’re in a time crunch because you don’t have to worry about forming them into a cookie shape. Just press the batter into a pan, sprinkle with coconut, let sit in the fridge to firm up then cut and enjoy! Easy peasy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The combo of chocolate + coconut = pure perfection! They’re no bake, which means no need to turn on your oven! Just mix, chill and enjoy! They’re vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free and lightly sweetened. These no bake chocolate energy bars are perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly. They’re the perfect healthy snack or treat for kids and adults!
Ingredients Needed
rolled oats – the base of these bars, giving them structure and a hearty, chewy texture. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats. peanut butter – adds a creaminess and rich, nutty flavor. Make sure to use creamy peanut butter for the best texture. almond milk – I like using unsweetened vanilla almond milk, which adds a subtle vanilla flavor. You can use store-bought almond milk or make homemade almond milk. maple syrup – the perfect natural sweetener that pairs well with the flavors of chocolate and coconut. cocoa powder – what gives the bars a deep, rich chocolate flavor. Make sure you’re using unsweetened cocoa powder. Cacao powder works as well. My favorite brand is Navitas organic cacao powder. vanilla extract – enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. sea salt – to bring all the flavors together. shredded coconut – make sure to grab unsweetened shredded coconut. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill unsweetened shredded coconut.
How to Make
Mix dry ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine old fashioned rolled oats and unsweetened shredded coconut. Set aside. Combine wet ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine creamy peanut butter, almond milk, maple syrup and cocoa powder. Cook on medium heat, making sure to stir continuously until well combined and the mixture has thickened, which should take about 5 minutes. Then turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla and sea salt. Combine: Pour the wet mixture over the oats and shredded coconut. Mix until well combined. Then, pour the mixture into your prepared 8-inch baking dish, pressing it down until it is evenly distributed across the dish. Sprinkle the top with extra shredded coconut and press down once more to ensure the coconut sticks. Chill: Place the dish in the fridge and let it chill until the bars are set, about 2 hours. After this, remove from the fridge, cut them into bars and enjoy! Any leftovers should be stored in the fridge or freezer.
Substitutions & Notes
Rolled oats – If you don’t have rolled oats on hand quick oats will work as a substitute. Just don’t use steel cut oats as those are unprocessed oats that are harder in texture. Peanut butter – If you have a peanut allergy, any kind of nut butter, such as almond butter or cashew butter would work well as a substitute. For a nut-free option, you could use sunflower seed butter or tahini. Maple syrup – This could be substituted with honey or agave syrup, but keep in mind this would alter the flavor slightly. Almond milk – Any non-dairy milk like oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk or soy milk would work. If you don’t have a dairy restriction, regular milk can also be used. Coconut – If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can simply omit it or substitute it with chopped nuts or seeds for a crunchy texture. You could also use dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
How to Store
These no bake chocolate energy bars are perfect for meal prep! After the bars have set, cut and store them in an airtight container (like a Stasher bag or glass container) in the refrigerator for 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I like to store them after being cut so they’re ready to grab and go! If you do freeze them, just thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature before eating.
More Bar Recipes to Try
Apple Granola Bars Chocolate Chip Almond Granola Bars Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars Apple Oatmeal Bars Healthy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars Pumpkin Seed and Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars Cranberry Coconut Granola Bars Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars Fruit and Nut Bars Coconut Chocolate Chip Larabars Tahini Fig Bars Peanut Butter Protein Bars Nut Free Granola Bars Banana Oatmeal Bars Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars No Bake Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
Be sure to check out all of the healthy snack recipes here at EBF!
