These no-bake oatmeal raisin bars are easy to make with just 4 simple ingredients and taste just like an oatmeal cookie!
Introduction
Say hello to soft and chewy oatmeal raisin bars, no bake required! These bars combine the healthy goodness of oats with the natural sweetness of dates and the sweet bite of raisins and Chocolate chip.
They make an energizing, fuss-free snack Busy home cooks, families on the go and anyone with an active lifestyle.
No oven time and only 4 ingredients, so they’re quick and convenient. They are also easy to customize with different add-ins like almonds 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 goodiesThese Oatmeal Chocolate Bars and Cashew Coconut Balls are both easy and delicious.
Okay, ready to whip this up? Let’s find out what you need, how to create them, and some tips and tricks for success.
Material notes
A full list of ingredients with measurements is located on the recipe card at the end of the post. Use it when you are ready to make the recipe.
- Date: You can use any kind of dates as long as they are soft and moist. If not, you will need to soak them before using them in the recipe.
- Oats: You can use rolled oats, quick oats or large flake oats.
- raisins: Any type of raisin works. You can substitute dried cranberries, nuts or seeds, or omit them and use all chocolate chips.
- Chocolate chip: Any chocolate chips, chocolate morsels or chopped dark chocolate works.
- optional: I like to add salt, vanilla and cinnamon to enhance the flavor but these are all optional.
Additions and variations
- nuts: You can replace up to half of the oats with pecans, walnuts or almonds. Blend them in at the same time as the oats.
- Nuts or seeds: You can replace raisins or chocolate chips with chopped nuts or seeds of your choice. Try pecans, walnuts, almonds, cashews, flax seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- coconut: You can replace the raisins or chocolate chips with shredded coconut or add up to 1/2 cup of shredded coconut to the recipe.
- spices: Experiment with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom or nutmeg.
- chocolate: To make chocolate oatmeal raisin bars, add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to the flour.
- Power Bite: 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 (also nut-free), peanut chocolate chip energy balls, and no-bake oatmeal almond bars.
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Blend the oats
Add oats a food processor and mix into a grainy dough. The few large pieces left behind are completely fine.
Step 2: Add the date and flavor
add date, Sea saltVanilla and cinnamonIf using, and mixing into a sticky, sticky dough you can easily press it together between your fingers.
My dough is not getting sticky! If the mixture doesn’t form sticky clumps (it should if your dates are moist), add 1 teaspoon hot water and process again. This should be enough but you may need to repeat 1-2 times.
Step 3: Add raisins and chocolate chips
add Chocolate chip And raisin and process briefly to mix into the dough.
Step 4: Press Pane
Line a 7- to 8-inch square burning pan with Parchment paper So it sticks to the side of the pan, which will help you get the bars out once they’re set.
Firmly press the dough into the panReally work it into the corner.
Quick Instructions: To smooth and even out the bars, lightly wet your hands and rub over the surface to smooth.
Step 5: Refrigerate then slice
Place the pan in the fridge or freezer for an hour or so to help harden the bars, then lift them out of the pan, slice into squares and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
No, you can skip chilling if you’re short on time, however, chilling helps the bars retain their shape and makes them easier to slice.
The recipe is gluten-free as written. If gluten cross-contamination is a concern for celiac, make sure you use gluten-free certified oats.
To make this recipe without sugar, use sugar-free chocolate chips such as Lilly or replace the chocolate with chopped nuts. For a low-sugar alternative, use chopped dark chocolate with a high cacao content (over 80%) instead of chocolate chips.
Expert tips
- the dates: It is important to use soft, moist dates to bind the bars together. If your dates aren’t soft or you’re unsure, pit them and place them in a bowl of hot water if they aren’t already. Soak for 10-15 minutes then drain well and proceed with the recipe.
- Serving Size: You can make 8 large bars, 16 squares or 32 mini bars. I like to make 32 mini bars so I can choose my serving size, 1, 2, 3, or 4!
- Measuring: While accuracy isn’t critical for this recipe, I always recommend using a digital kitchen scale to easily and accurately measure your ingredients.
to save
- Fridge: Up to 2 weeks in a sealed container.
- Freezer (recommended): Up to 3 months in a sealed container or freezer-safe bag. Enjoy straight from the freezer as they are not frozen solid.
- At room temperature: To go, they are fine for 1-2 days at room temperature but will become soft and mushy if too hot. Refrigerate for best results.
Have you tried this recipe?
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I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review and be sure to tag me @runningonrealfood if you post it on social media.
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description
These delicious, no-bake bars taste like oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookies but are vegan, oil-free, nut-free and easy to make in minutes!
- Place the oats in a food processor and process briefly to break down into a grainy flour.
- Add dates, sea salt, and cinnamon, if using, and process into a thick, sticky, sticky dough you can easily press between your fingers. If it doesn’t turn into a sticky dough, add 1 teaspoon of hot water and process again. This should be enough but you may need to repeat 1-2 times if your dates are on the dry side.
- Add the chocolate chips and raisins and process briefly to combine.
- Line a 7-8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper so it sticks to the sides of the pan then firmly press the dough into the pan, really working it into the corners. Once you’ve kneaded the dough, I recommend wetting your hands and using them to smooth the surface of the bars.
- Refrigerate for one hour to harden.
- Remove from pan and cut into 16 squares.
Comment
to save: Up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator in a sealed container or up to 4 months in the freezer. It’s fine at room temperature but will soften if taken to-go so try to refrigerate or at least keep it chilled until you’re ready to enjoy. I recommend storing them in the freezer as they don’t freeze hard and can be enjoyed straight away.
nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 25 grams
- Sodium: 74 mg
- Fat: 3 grams
- Sugars: 35 grams
- Fiber: 3.7 grams
- Protein: 2.3 grams
Keywords: No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Bars, No-Bake Oatmeal Bars
Originally published on December 14, 2016.