I discovered a vibrant recipe that marries natural peanut butter, honey, coconut oil and cocoa with wholesome oats, crisp rice cereal, and dark chocolate chips. This Peanut Butter Buster Bar offers a delightful mix of textures and rich flavors in an incredibly satisfying snack that leaves my tastebuds pleasantly surprised.

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I’ve always been a fan of experimenting in the kitchen, so when I tried my hand at Dairy Queen’s Copycat Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Buster Bars I was pretty excited. I mixed 1 cup of natural peanut butter with 1/2 cup of honey and 1/2 cup of melted coconut oil, then added a bit of vanilla extract for that aromatic kick.

Next, I folded in some old-fashioned rolled oats which gave the recipe a hearty texture, and of course, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder for that rich chocolate flavor. I tossed in a 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips and a dash of salt to round out the taste, plus some crisp rice cereal for an extra crunch.

This recipe is a cool twist on classic frozen treats and healthy desserts that make me feel like a total snack queen. I promise this fun, hassle-free creation will spark your curiosity to try more homemade frozen treats.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe cause it makes me feel like I’m treatin myself to a homemade version of those Dairy Queen bars without feeling guilty. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is just perfect to satisfy my sweet tooth while still bein kind to my health. It also doesn’t take too long to whip up which is great on those busy days when i need a quick snack. Lastly, i like that its super customizable—i can add extra nuts or even swap out the chocolate chips to suit my mood.

Ingredients

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Peanut butter is high in protein and healthy fats which help boost satiety.
Honey or agave nectar add natural sweetness and quick energy from simple carbs.
Coconut oil gives a light tropical flavor and provides medium chain fatty acids.
Rolled oats offer fiber and slow-burning carbs to keep you energized throughout the day.
Cocoa powder lends a rich chocolate taste along with a dose of antioxidants.
Crisp rice cereal adds a fun crunch that makes these bars extra enjoyable.
Dark chocolate chips deliver little morsels of bittersweet joy in every bite.

Ingredient Quantities

1 cup natural peanut butter (unsalted)

1/2 cup honey or agave nectar

1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup crisp rice cereal

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

How to Make this

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1. Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper so it’s ready to use later.

2. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey (or agave), and melted coconut oil. Stir it until its smooth, then mix in the vanilla extract.

3. In a separate big bowl, mix together the old-fashioned rolled oats, cocoa powder, crisp rice cereal, and salt.

4. Pour the warm peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir ’em together until they are well combined.

5. Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips so they are evenly spread out.

6. Transfer the mixture into your lined pan and press it down firmly with a spatula to make it nice and even.

7. Chill the pan in the refrigerator for about 2 hours until the mixture is firm and set.

8. Once set, pull the mixture out of the pan with the parchment paper, cut it into bars, and then enjoy your tasty treat!

Equipment Needed

1. An 8×8 inch pan (plus enough parchment paper to line it)
2. Parchment paper
3. A small saucepan
4. A large mixing bowl
5. A spatula
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. A stirring spoon
8. A knife (or a pizza cutter) to cut the bars
9. A refrigerator to chill the mix

FAQ

Q: Can i use regular peanut butter instead of natural unsalted peanut butter?

A: Sure, you can but natural unsalted gives you the best flavor and texture so it's recommended.

Q: Can i replace honey with agave nectar?

A: Yeah, either works good and both add the sweetness you need for these bars.

Q: Do i have to use crisp rice cereal?

A: The cereal gives the bars a nice crunch so try to include it but if you cant find any, you can substitute with another crunchy cereal.

Q: How long should i chill the bars?

A: Chill them for at least 1 hour, though leaving them overnight makes them firmer and easier to cut.

Q: How do i store these buster bars?

A: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature if its cool, but in warmer weather its better stored in the fridge.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Buster Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Natural peanut butter: Try using almond butter or even cashew butter if you dont have peanuts on hand. They might change the flavor a little but still taste great.
Honey or agave nectar: Maple syrup works well as a substitute if you dont have either of those sweeteners, or even brown rice syrup can do the trick.
Coconut oil: Melted butter is a common alternative, and if you prefer something lighter you could use a mild olive oil too.
Dark chocolate chips: You can break up a dark chocolate bar into chunks or use semi-sweet chocolate chips instead if dark ones are not available.

Pro Tips

1. Toast the oats lightly in a dry pan before mixing em in. It kinda brings out their nuttiness and adds an extra crunch, which makes the bars more fun to eat.
2. Make sure you warm the peanut butter mixture just enough so it stays smooth but not super hot. If its too warm, it might end up making the oats too soggy.
3. Press down the mix firmly in your pan when youre transferring it. Seriously, if you dont press it tight, the bars can crumble real easy when you cut em.
4. Let it chill for the full 2 hours or a bit longer if you can wait. I know waiting is hard, but it helps the bars set up better so they dont fall apart.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Buster Bars Recipe

Recipe by Dan Coroni

0.0 from 0 votes

Servings

servings

Calories

370

kcal

Equipment: 1. An 8×8 inch pan (plus enough parchment paper to line it)
2. Parchment paper
3. A small saucepan
4. A large mixing bowl
5. A spatula
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. A stirring spoon
8. A knife (or a pizza cutter) to cut the bars
9. A refrigerator to chill the mix

Ingredients

1 cup natural peanut butter (unsalted)
1/2 cup honey or agave nectar
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup crisp rice cereal
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions

Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper so it's ready to use later.
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the peanut butter, honey (or agave), and melted coconut oil. Stir it until its smooth, then mix in the vanilla extract.
In a separate big bowl, mix together the old-fashioned rolled oats, cocoa powder, crisp rice cereal, and salt.
Pour the warm peanut butter mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir 'em together until they are well combined.
Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips so they are evenly spread out.
Transfer the mixture into your lined pan and press it down firmly with a spatula to make it nice and even.
Chill the pan in the refrigerator for about 2 hours until the mixture is firm and set.
Once set, pull the mixture out of the pan with the parchment paper, cut it into bars, and then enjoy your tasty treat!

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.