4 Ingredient Vegan No Bake Peanut Butter Squares

Yes, you can make a tasty vegan snack without a lot of effort.  These vegan peanut butter squares are chilled rather than baked.  They only have four ingredients, they are easy to make, and they are delicious.

I’ve been seeing a lot of recipes on Pinterest with minimal ingredients. 5 ingredient cookies, 4 ingredient cake in a mug, and lots of refrigerator bars.  All calling my name.  I’ve been dying to try something!

I reviewed several recipes, then created my own to fit what was on hand in my pantry. They are vegan, dairy free, egg free, and honey free (if you avoid honey as a vegan).

These are the ingredients

1 cup Peanut Butter
3 cups Uncooked Oats (Old Fashioned Oats work fine)
2/3 cups Agave Nectar
2 TBs of Vegan Chocolate Chips

Here’s how to make them:
1. Use an 8×8 baking dish. Grease the baking  with a tiny amount of cooking oil–or line with parchment paper.
2. Pour the agave into a microwave safe bowl.
3. Pour the peanut butter into the same bowl with the agave and mix.

4. Put the mixture the microwave for 30 seconds, then stir. Put in for another 30 seconds, then stir again. It should be smooth and melted.  For low wattage microwaves, you may need another 30 seconds.
5. Pour in the oats a little at a time stirring in between.

6. Mix in 1 TB of chocolate chips.
7. Spoon the mixture into your oiled baking dish. Flatten with a spoon so it is evenly spread.
8. Sprinkle 1 TB of chocolate chips on the top. Press these in with the spoon.

9. Cover with plastic wrap or foil and put in the refrigerator overnight.

Prep time: 15-20 minutes

Makes about 15 squares or 12 bars

Less Sweetener Alternatives:

Agave can be pretty sweet. This version uses less sweetener but still packs the same great taste.

Follow the same direction as above, but use…

1 to 1 1/4 cups of Peanut Butter

2 1/2 cups Uncooked Oats

1/2 cup Agave

2 TBs Vegan Chocolate Chips

or

1 cup Peanut Butter

3 cups Uncooked Oats

1/2 cup Agave

2-4 TBs of water

2 TBs Vegan Chocolate Chips

In the second version follow the same directions, but add the water while adding the oats.  This is to make up for the lost moisture from less agave and to make it easier to stir.

In alternative 1, the squares will be just as firm as the original recipe.  In alternate 2, the squares will be a little crumbly but taste just as good.

Some Notes on Preparation:

• Use two measuring cups or measure the oats first and put aside.
• Measure the agave before the peanut butter. Once you put the peanut butter in the measuring cup it’s difficult to use it for anything else.
• 2/3 cup of agave equals 1 cup of honey or 1 cup of brown rice syrup. Agave is sweeter than honey and has more water content.
• When you mix in the chocolate chips, they will melt.  If you’d like them more solid, let the mixture cool a little before adding.
• Square dishes work better than round ones.  You don’t really need a baking dish.  A plastic container that has high enough sides will work fine.  I used a round contain for mine and a square one for my sister.  (I do share sometimes!)

I admit that I made a mess in the kitchen. I think I got peanut butter on everything I touched and I managed to drip agave in the spoon drawer.

Preparation took me a little longer than the 10 minutes suggested in other recipes.  The arthritis in my hands slowed things down a bit.

The Peanut Butter Squares Turned Out Great!
I tested a little of the batter and liked it.  That’s always a good sign.  It reminded me of my granola recipe, which is interesting since that doesn’t have peanut butter.   I chilled them overnight and cut them in the morning.  I was afraid they might be too stiff because I cut the agave, but they were just the right texture–nice and gooey.   They have a rich peanut butter taste with a hint of chocolate.  They are delicious, if I do say so myself!

Give it a try and let me know what you think. I bet you’ll have half the mess I had.  If you make the less sweet version or use a different sweetener, tell me about your results in the comments.  I hope you like this very easy recipe!