Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
These decadent chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars feature a chewy oatmeal base, creamy peanut butter, and a luscious chocolate layer. Perfect for a sweet snack or crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (100g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (95g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 3/4 cup (192g) creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup (85g) honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. Stir in melted unsalted butter until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Transfer the oatmeal mixture into the prepared pan and press it firmly into an even layer using the back of a spoon or your fingers.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- In a medium bowl, stir together creamy peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract. Spread this evenly over the cooled oatmeal base.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt semisweet chocolate chips in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth. Alternatively, melt the chocolate in a double boiler.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the peanut butter layer and smooth it out with a spatula.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm. For faster results, you can place them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- Once the bars are set, lift them out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Notes
[‘Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing and better texture.’, ‘Let the bars set completely before slicing to avoid messy layers.’, ‘Press the oatmeal base firmly to ensure it holds together.’, ‘Adjust sweetness by reducing honey or using dark chocolate.’, ‘Sprinkle toppings like chopped peanuts, sea salt, or shredded coconut on the chocolate layer for extra flavor.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 5
Keywords: chocolate, peanut butter, oatmeal bars, dessert, easy recipe, kid-friendly, no fancy equipment