A super delicious no-bake dessert – these chocolate fudge oat bars are the perfect treat to make on a hot summer day when you’re craving something sweet, but don’t fancy ice cream.
I do love a good no-bake recipe, especially during summer when it’s too hot to turn the oven on. The last thing you want to do on a scorching hot day is to add even more heat by turning on the oven.
These no-bake chocolate fudge oat bars are the perfect, no fuss, quick and easy treat that takes no time to prepare. Meaning you can spend more time out in the sun taking advantage of the lovely weather while it lasts. Because let’s face it, UK isn’t exactly known for its long, perfect summers.
This is yet another recipe of mine that features tahini. I just can’t get enough of the stuff. I loved it way before it ever became cool and trendy on social media. I literally grew up eating it in desserts, condiments, but more often for breakfast. It’s such a versatile and nutritious ingredient. You can expect to see a lot more tahini recipes from me in the future because I will never grow bored of it nor will I stop experimenting and creating new recipes with it!
This recipe is pretty basic and only calls for a handful of ingredients. All you need it two bowls – one for the oat mixture and another for the chocolate tahini centre. It’s literally a case of mixing stuff in a bowl and refrigerating it to set. It’s a real fail proof recipe that anyone can make. Even those with zero cooking and/or dessert making experience. It’s also a fun one to get the kids involved with 😀
What you need to make these chocolate fudge oat bars:
Oats – I used jumbo oats, but you can also use rolled oats/porridge oats. I dry toast the oats in a pan for around 10 minutes first and leave them to cool completely before mixing them in with the rest of the ingredients. Since we’re not baking these bars, toasting the oats will make them easier to digest and make them less chewy. It also brings out a lovely rich and nutty flavour in the oats.
Ground oats – I’m using it instead of plain flour – simply blend oats in a high-speed blender until you have a fine flour. Use gluten-free oats if you want a gluten-free version.
Coconut oil – This will act as a glue that will hold the oat mixture together as it cools in the fridge.
Maple syrup – Also helps hold the oat mixture together plus adds a hint of sweetness.
Cardamom – I love the taste of cardamom in general – it’s by far my favourite spice. I also think it goes really well with the taste of tahini as well as chocolate. This is optional, so you can omit it if you prefer not to use it or don’t have any available.
Salt – to enhance all the flavours.
Tahini – Runny tahini works best to create a smooth, silky chocolate fudge when mixed in with the melted dark chocolate. You can use a nut butter like peanut butter or almond butter if you prefer.
Dark chocolate – I use 70% dark chocolate or above. It adds a much richer, deeper taste. Plus it’s better for you compared to milk chocolate.
Why you should make these chocolate fudge oat bars:
- They’re vegan
- Dairy-free
- No-bake
- Nut-free
- Only call for a few ingredients
- Healthier than your average dessert
- And so delicious!
Chocolate Fudge Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 155g rolled oats*
- 110g ground oats/oat flour**
- 1/2 tsp cardamom*
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 120ml coconut oil melted
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 200g dark chocolate
- 120ml tahini***
Instructions
- Mix the oats, oat flour, salt and cardamom in a bowl, then pour in the coconut oil and maple syrup
- * You can dry toast the oats first and leave them to cool completely before adding the rest of the ingredients. Since we’re not baking them, toasting the oats will make them easier to digest and make them less chewy. It also brings out a lovely rich and nutty flavour in the oats.
- Press 3/4 of the mixture into a 7” square tin lined with parchment paper (or you can use an 8” round tin).
- Place in the freezer for 15 minutes. In the meantime prepare the chocolate filling.
- Break up the chocolate into a heatproof dish and melt in the microwave. Pour in the tahini and mix until you have smooth mixture.
- Pour over the oat base, then sprinkle over the remaining 1/4 of the oat mixture
- Return to the freezer for 30-60 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Definitely going to make it!! X
Let me know what you think when you do 🙂
What an exquisite dessert! My mouth is watering looking at these beautiful bars! I love chocolate, tahini and oats so much so I can only imagine how tasty these are!
Hi Nadia,
In the photograpgh it looks like you have added cacaonibs (or currants or something) too in the top layer. You also poured something that’s dropping of the sides. What is it please?
Thank you!
Can’t wait to make this and just like you, I love to work with tahini (I make my own in a wet stone grinder) xx
Hello !! Thank you for the recipe ! I am just wondering : where do you store the bars ? Do they store in the fridge or freezer ?
They’re best stored in the fridge 🙂
Made them yesterday and they were amazing! I just wish the taste of the cardamom was stronger but I will just adjust accordingly next time 🙂
So glad you enjoyed them Carmen 😀 I love cardamom – the more the better! But I have been told I’m too generous with it, so I’m a little wary when using it. Guess it depends on the person and how much they like it 😉
I was not a big fan of tahini when I first tried it. WAY too bitter for my liking, plus it wasn’t creamy enough! However, I started integrating it in salad dressings and dips, so I’ve become more of a fan. Plus, it tastes pretty lovely with toasted sesame seeds and on top of a baked sweet potato or roasted vegetables. Oh yeah, and it’s DELICIOUS in desserts like these or with chocolate! These bars look so decadent and lovely. I can’t imagine them tasting bad!
Use date paste instead of chocolate..with tahini would be incredible ??
I’ve used date syrup with tahini many times and I agree they go perfect together, but this time I fancied chocolate 🙂
Such a delicious recipe! I‘m getting hungry looking at these! I love the ingredients you added! Much love, Bianca ❤️
Can you please let me know the calories per bar?
They’re around 228 kcal per serving (estimated) 🙂
Wow! I have no words for how delicious this recipe. Thank you for the recipe
So glad you enjoyed them Mayuri 😀
These look so yummy, can’t wait to make them.
Have to mention I laughed when I saw the instructions said “over a pan of boring water” ,I assume you meant ‘boiling water’ LOL
These were amazingly delicious! Although, I confess I messed with the recipe and made mine using cacao butter and a little coffee flavour for ‘white chocolate’ coffee tahini bars. Haha. But they were great! Family loved them!
When using chocolate in the recipe, is it like baking chocolate (unsweetened) vs. chocolate chips? I tried another recipe the other day with tahini and choc. chips and could not believe how good is was! I can’t wait to make this.
I used a 70% chocolate bar, but chocolate chips should work just as well. I wouldn’t recommend anything higher than 70% unless you would prefer them to be less sweet. Tahini and chocolate are such a yummy combo 😀
Can you please add pics, step by step which will help toKnow more about the receipee
Please tell me these are somewhat healthy for you…Just the oat crumble is delicious with the flavor of the coconut oil coming through. However, the tahini/chocolate/date syrup filling is divine. My teen son exclaimed, “Oh boy!” when he tasted this. High praise from him. These are simple to make and I love all the ingredients. Thanks for sharing! – from the U.S. by the way 🙂
We have a delightful place here called, “House of Halva”. For one thing they have delightful halva, but I’ve also purchased their fresh made tahini and date syrup. This is one of many delicious recipes I’ve found to use them in.
Hi Kate 🙂 Thank you so much for your lovely comment and I’m so glad you and your son enjoyed them 😀 They’re definitely better for you than your average shop bought dessert. Tahini + date/maple syrup is just such a divine flavour combo, isn’t it? 😀
I made these today. Oh my gosh. I could eat the entire batch. They are so delicious. I love the cardamom. It’s not overpowering, but is really a great touch. My teenage daughter loves them too. Thank you!
Hey! Which oats do u use please. If your picture the base looks quite crumbly.. Mine just looked like large oats and quite a wet mixture! Where did i go wrong?
THESE ARE SOOO GOOD!! I’ve had this recipe bookmarked for so long and finally made them. I love the hint of cardamom in the oat mixture. And that chocolate tahini filling?!! woah!! I could have eaten that all on its own. Next time I would make more of the oat mixture as I felt there wasn’t enough to quite fit my pan. Fantastic recipe! Thank you!
This smelled really delicious as I was making it. I used agave nectar instead of date syrup because it’s what I had. Only used 1 tablespoon but this still turned out very sweet!
Also, don’t forget to set down parchment paper before making this because it gets really stuck to glassware!
I have no clue what Tahini is… These look so yummy, I want to make as soon as I figure out what Tahini is and where to get it. ?
Tahini is sesame seed paste/butter 🙂 like peanut butter, but made with sesame seeds! You can use peanut, almond or cashew butter instead if you don’t have tahini x
Can i replace the tahini with almond butter or cashew butter?
Hi Shirin 🙂 Yes – any nut butter will work 🙂
How long will they keep in the fridge? Or do you store them in the freezer?
Hi Rachel! They’ll keep at least 4 days in the fridge, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months 🙂 x
These are absolutely delicious! Just made them. I couldn’t find green cardamon so used regular cardamom and still amazing.
Hi Kim 😀 Any cardamom powder will work really. So glad you enjoyed them xx
Does it have to be “green” cardamom powder ? I only have cardamom powder but it says nothing about it being green. Thank you
Most cardamom powders are made from green cardamoms 🙂 but any type of cardamom powder will work really x
Helllo… This looks so yummmmmyyyy… But I have a question. Can we replace the coconut oil with something. Because I cant have coconut oil… looking forward… thanks..
Okay, so these look amazing, but with 1/2 cup of coconut oil they can hardly be called healthy! Do you have any suggestions for replacing the oil? I’m thinking about options but thought I’d check with the source 🙂
Would this work with Steel cut oats??
Thanks !
Hello, I made these and they were yummy! The chocolate filling though was quite thick and difficult to spread. Is there a trick to this?
Wow, these are so good! I love the texture and flavor of the bar. For me, there wasn’t quite enough oat mixture for me to cover the tops of the bars, but it doesn’t much matter as it still tastes great! Thanks for this recipe!
One of my favourite recipes! I’ve made these bars so many times and I don’t think I’ll ever get bored 😀 Love the tahini chocolate ‘fudge’ centre ♥️
That’s so nice to hear Danny 😀 Thank you for your feedback x
Did these tonight and they were a hit with my family! They are so rich and lush and the combination of chocolate and tahini is smashing! I did add a litle bit more cardamom simply because I’m obsessed with it ? thanks for this amazing recipe ❤️
So glad everyone enjoyed them Nathalie 😀 I use more cardamom when I make them because I’m obsessed with it too! But I’m always told I’m too generous with it ?
THANK YOU FOR SUCH A DELICIOUS RECIPE!
So glad you enjoyed them Gabriella 😀 xx
You mention adding maple syrup twice but it’s only in the instructions once. I put it in the oat mix. Hope that was right. Still chilling in the freezer
Hi Adrienne 🙂 The maple syrup only goes in the oat mixture xx