Chocolate, peanut butter, and oat goodness in a jiffy.

 Here's a quick, easy to do bar recipe that only has 7 ingredients and doesn't involve any oven-use. You'd need a stove top, though, and a couple of pans.

These bars are a great snack and dessert and they're also top notch as post-workout snack. I always eat after working out (not before) and these are great if I want something to nibble before my actual meal or if I want something sweet after a savory breakfast. If you were to make it like an energy snack, you can always do it in bar form or actually make them into balls. It's really all up to you.

Not gonna, I was a bit skeptical at the no-bake part of this. I mean, surely you need to cook the oats somehow, right? But I remembered overnight oats, something that's technically no-bake too. To find some inner peace, I decided to stray a little from the original recipe instructions and let the oats heat up for as long as possible on the stove top, letting the melted liquids cook it a bit. The oats didn't cook all the way through, of course, but at least it had enough time to heat up and break down a bit. And now my mind's appeased and my belly's happy.

Enjoy!

No Bake Chocolate & Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

(adapted from ChocolateCoveredKatie.com)

YIELD: 16 squares OR 24 small bars or balls

1/4 c + 3 tbsp peanut butter (creamy or chunky)

4 - 7 tbsp honey (or maple syrup)

1/4 c butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 - 1/4 tsp salt

2 c quick cook oats

1/4 c cocoa powder

1. Line an 8"pan with wax or parchment paper. Set aside.

2. In a pan, combine peanut butter, honey, and butter. On low to medium heat, let the mixture gently heat up until the butter is melted and the peanut butter is looser and stir-able.

3. Add in vanilla and salt. Stir until smooth.

4. Still on low to medium heat, stir in the oats and cocoa powder until fully incorporated. Let sit for a while, stirring mixture every now and then to avoid burning or sticking. After 5 to 7 minutes or so, turn off heat.

5. Keep on stirring mixture until it cools down a bit. When the mixture is warm to the touch (and not scalding anymore), transfer mixture to the lined pan.

6. Spread mixture evenly and smooth it out. Make sure to press the mixture firmly to the pan, really packing it in. 

7. Freeze until firm to cut. Take it out and cut it in bars, then place it back again in the freezer for it to fully set. For optimum freshness, store them in the freezer where they'll last for weeks.