Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars ~
No-bake sweet treat featuring a buttery oatmeal base with a layer of rich chocolate and peanut butter, and a crumbly oatmeal topping.
Easy to make and sure to become a household favorite!
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
I like these no-bake bars for their simple ingredients, rich flavor, and satisfying chewy texture. This is also one of the easiest recipes ever for dessert bars.
For best results, make the bars at least a few hours ahead of when you plan to serve them so that they have time to set in the fridge.
Ingredients for Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
You will need the following:
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
Ingredient Notes
- Butter – I used vegan butter.
- Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar is preferred for its milder flavor and lighter color compared to dark brown sugar.
- Vanilla Extract – An equal amount of vanilla bean paste can also be used for this recipe.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips – Many, but not all, brands are “accidentally vegan”. Check the label to ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free. Dark chocolate chips would be a good choice for these bars, too.
- Quick Cooking Oats – Quick oats are preferred over rolled oats, or “old fashioned oats”, for their finer texture and shorter cooking time. (They’re only in the pan for 3 minutes.)
- Crunchy Peanut Butter – Creamy peanut butter can also be used for this recipe. I have not tried making these bars with sunflower seed butter or any other kind of nut butter, including almond butter, although it stands to reason that they should work fine.
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
STEP ONE: Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
STEP TWO: Set a large saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
STEP THREE: Stir in the oats and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
STEP FOUR: Press half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the lined pan. Transfer the remaining oatmeal mixture to a medium bowl and set aside. Wipe out the saucepan and return it to the stovetop.
STEP FIVE: Reduce to low heat, then add the chocolate chips and peanut butter to the saucepan. Stir frequently until the chocolate is melted.
STEP SIX: Pour all of the melted chocolate mixture over the oatmeal mixture in the pan. Use a small rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to spread so that the bottom layer is covered completely.
STEP SEVEN: Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing lightly so that it “sticks”.
STEP EIGHT: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set. Cut into small or large squares and serve cool or at room temperature.
Storage
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More Dessert Recipes You’ll Love!
- Vegan Cake Mix Brownies
- Chocolate Covered Coconut Bars
- Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
- Chocolate Crunch Bars
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Set a large saucepan over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter is melted, add the brown sugar and vanilla extract. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
- Stir in the oats and cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Press half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the lined pan. Transfer the remaining oatmeal mixture to a medium bowl and set aside. Wipe out the saucepan and return it to the stovetop.
- Reduce to low heat, then add the chocolate chips and peanut butter to the saucepan. Stir frequently until the chocolate is melted.
- Pour all of the melted chocolate mixture over the oatmeal mixture in the pan. Use a small rubber spatula or the back of a spoon to spread so that the bottom layer is covered completely.
- Crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing lightly so that it “sticks”.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until set. Cut into small or large squares and serve cool or at room temperature.
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