Healthier No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Healthier No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars @themerrythought Every time I walk into a store lately, those peanut butter eggs are begging to jump into my cart!! Oh Easter candy, you’re ruining all my good intentions for eating healthier! Since I’m trying to be good and so far have resisted all the candy, but still have been craving peanut butter & chocolate, I thought I’d try making my No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars a little healthier to help get me through those cravings. Healthier No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars @themerrythought To make the bars healthier, I pulled the refined sugars and replaced it with some pure maple syrup for sweetness and some oats to help with the texture, as well as some whole grain goodness. I replaced the butter with coconut oil to make it a slightly healthier fat and used dark chocolate instead of milk. And while these bars are definitely healthier than my regular version, you’ll still want to eat these in moderation! Healthier No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars @themerrythought

Healthier No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut Butter Layer:

1 cup peanut butter ((you can use natural or regular, but the less sugar in the PB, the better for you the bars will be))
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons coconut oil, (melted)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Layer:

5 ounces (or about 1 cup) dark chocolate
1/2 teaspoon oil
sea salt flakes, (optional)

For Peanut Butter Layer

In a blender or food processor, blend or process oats until it reaches a finer consistency (it doesn’t need to be as fine as flour).
Combine the blended oats, peanut butter, melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract and stir until well combined.
Press peanut butter mixture into an 8×8 pan.

For Chocolate Layer

Combine chocolate and oil in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high in 30 second increments, stirring each time, until chocolate is melted.
Pour chocolate over peanut butter layer and smooth into an even layer. Let sit until chocolate hardens (you can put it in the fridge to speed up the process).
Top with sea salt flakes if desired and cut into bars.

Healthier No-Bake Peanut Butter Bars @themerrythought If you’re looking for more healthier snack options, check out our Natural Peanut Butter Fudge and Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites!