No Bake Monster Cookie Bars

Published on June 12, 2024 These No Bake Monster Cookie Bars will remind you of classic Monster Cookies, but they’re SO easy to make, you don’t even have to turn on the oven. Kids and adults love these protein-packed peanut butter chocolate bars! Keep them in the fridge or freezer so you always have a healthy treat on hand. I have turned my favorite cookie into Monster Cookie Bars, Monster Cookie Energy Balls, Chocolate Monster Cookies, and these easy No Bake Monster Cookie Bars. I love these No Bake Monster Cookie Bars because they are SO easy to make, you don’t have to turn on the oven and they are made with basic ingredients that I always have in the pantry. The bars are like the classic cookie, they have peanut butter, oats, chocolate, and M&M’s, BUT there is no baking involved. They are layered in a loaf pan and chilled in the refrigerator. There is a layer of peanut butter oats, a layer or chocolate, and another layer of peanut butter oats. The bars are topped with colorful M&M’s and flaky sea salt. To keep these bars on the healthier side, I use natural peanut butter and sweeten them with honey. I also add a scoop of protein powder to boost the protein content. These no bake bars are a great little sweet treat to keep in the fridge or freezer. Kids and adults love them! They are perfect for an after school snack, post workout snack, or a little dessert after lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

Peanut butter– I like to use natural peanut butter, just peanuts and salt. Costco’s Kirkland organic peanut butter is my favorite. Honey– to sweeten the bars. Pure maple syrup will also work. Vanilla extract– always use pure vanilla extract. Oats– use old fashioned oats, not quick oats. Protein powder– use your favorite vanilla protein powder. I use Clean Simple Eats Simply Vanilla. Use the code TWOPEAS for a discount. Flaky sea salt– for the bars and for sprinkling on top! Chocolate Chips– I like to use semi-sweet chocolate, but milk or dark chocolate will work too. I like Guittard and Hu Kitchen’s chocolate chips. Coconut oil– adding a little coconut oil helps the chocolate melt more smoothly. M&M’s– for topping the bars! They are so fun and colorful and a must for monster cookies!

Line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside. In a medium bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Stir together with a spatula until well combined.

Stir in the oats, protein powder, and sea salt.

The peanut butter oat mixture will be thick and a little sticky. Stir well to make sure all of the oats get mixed in.

Transfer about 2/3 of the peanut butter oat mixture to the prepared pan. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the pan.

In a medium microwave safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil. Place in the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals, or until smooth. Stir well.

Pour the chocolate overtop of the bars. Spread with a spatula so the chocolate is in an even layer.

Crumble the remaining peanut butter oat mixture over the top of the bars and press down gently. Press the M&M’s on top of the bars and sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Cover the pan with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator. Chill the bars for at least 2 hours before cutting. When chilled completely, lift the bars out of the pan with the parchment paper and cut into bars. You can also cut them into small little bites, if you want a smaller treat.