Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Posted Dec 19, 2020, Updated Mar 16, 2024
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In this chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe, a thick layer of chocolate and peanut butter is nestled between two layers of no-bake oatmeal cookie crust. They’re easy to make in 10 minutes with 5 ingredients!
These No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are an easy and delicious treat made with 5 ingredients in 10 minutes (just like these Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars or these chocolate peanut butter balls)!
This peanut butter chocolate oat bars recipe is my go-to treat when I’m short on time but need to make a dessert to bring to a holiday party, BBQ, potluck, etc. They’re also the perfect addition to your holiday cookie trays, along with all of our Christmas Cookie Recipes.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions
As always, I recommend making this no bake chocolate oat bars recipe exactly as written, however here are a few possible substitutions.
- Salted Butter. unsalted butter, earth’s balance vegan butter, and ghee all are good substitutes.
- Light Brown Sugar. dark brown sugar and coconut sugar are good substitutions.
- Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter works well in this recipe – almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.
- Semi-sweet chocolate. Use chocolate chips, bars, or discs. The form doesn’t matter beacuse it is melted. Choose your favorite variety from milk to dark.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Like I’ve said, these no bake chocolate oat bars are so easy to make. We’ll walk through the process together step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Something to note is that this recipe moves quickly. Lay out the ingredients, line the baking dish, grease a spatula, etc. before you begin.
Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter
Begin this peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe by making the peanut butter and chocolate layer first. That way it has a little time to cool before the assembly phase.
Make the Oatmeal Layers
Next, make the oatmeal layers. This process goes quickly! Begin by melting the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Then stir in brown sugar and sea salt until the sugar is dissolved. Once it’s dissolved, turn the heat to low and add the vanilla and oats.
Cook the oatmeal mixture on low for about 2 minutes, or until the ingredients are combined.
Next, press about half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a greased spatula. (Reserve the other half to sprinkle on top).
Then, pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture gently and slowly over the bottom layer. Reserving about 2-3 tablespoons to drizzle on top.
Very gently crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate peanut butter layer & press it into place. Drizzle the top with the remaining chocolate/peanut butter mixture.
Chill & Cut
Refrigerate the chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate is set.
Once the chocolate is set, remove the peanut butter chocolate oat bars from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before cutting. This ensures straight lines and easy cutting. Cutting cold, hard chocolate is never easy.
Store/Freeze
Store the peanut butter chocolate oat bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for 2 months.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars FAQS
Yes! Double the ingredients and make it in a 9×13″ pan.
Yes. Chill the bars, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature – do not microwave.
If your bars are crumbly, you may have over-cooked the butter mixture or added too many oats. Either decrease the intensity of heat next time or decrease the cooking time (or both).
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Oat Layer:
- 1 cup salted butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick cooking oats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer:
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
Instructions
- Line an 8×8" square baking dish with parchment paper, set aside.
Make the Chocolate Layer
- Melt the chocolate and peanut butter together – either in a microwave safe dish or on the stovetop over low heat.
Make the Oatmeal Layer
- Melt butter in a 5 quart saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in the brown sugar and sea salt until dissolved.
- Add vanilla and stir until combined.
- Turn heat to low and add oats. Cook on low for about 2 minutes, or until ingredients are well combined.
Assemble
- Press about half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish with a greased spatula. (Reserve the other half to sprinkle on top).
- Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture gently and slowly over the bottom layer. Reserving about 2-3 Tablespoons to drizzle on top.
- Very gently crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate peanut butter layer & press it into place, making sure the entire top is covered.
- Drizzle the top with the remaining chocolate/peanut butter mixture.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight (until chocolate is set).
- Let the bars come to room temperature again before cutting into squares.
Video
Notes
- Salted Butter. unsalted butter, earth’s balance vegan butter, and ghee all are good substitutes.
- Light Brown Sugar. dark brown sugar and coconut sugar are good substitutions.
- Peanut Butter. Any nut or seed butter works well in this recipe – almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.
- Semi-sweet chocolate. Since the chocolate is being melted, you can use chips, bars or discs. Choose your favorite variety from milk to dark.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I just made these bars today, and we love them! I thought an 8 x 8 pan would not be too much for just two people, but I was glad to see I can wrap and freeze them because they are rich, and a little goes a long way. I used half dark chocolate chips and half sugar-free chocolate chips to cut down on the sugar. The same with the light brown sugar – half and half. Easy, satisfying and I will make them over and over! Thank you for sharing this delightful treat.
Thank you so much Georgeann, I totally agree – they are super rich!
Can these be stored at room temperature?
Could I use natural peanut butter?
Yes!
My husband said “These taste like Christmas!”. A very simple recipe with fancy results.
I just made these and added a layer of crushed pretzels after the chocolate and before adding the oatmeal mixture on top. Can’t wait to try these! So quick and easy to make.
I have had so many people request a copy of this recipe when I make it. One of my neighbours asked if I had purchased these from Starbuck’s because it was the best she had eaten.
This is a great recipe – no need to change a thing. My only beef is they get eaten so fast. I’ve started making the size of the bar smaller so there’s some left over for me 🤓
Can I use regular oatmeal that takes longer to cook?
This recipe is so easy! I licked the spoon from the filling and it’s amazing so I have high hopes for dessert tonight! I’m not sure how to get them out of the pan without tearing the parchment paper.
Thank you so much, Laura!
I made a batch of these and they are half gone and just made them yesterday .its just me and hubby. Must take out of the refrig. before cutting
Thank u
Thank you Mary!
Only make these if you have extreme self-control! These are so yummy and addicting. They’re also easy to make, which makes them even more dangerous for those of us that sneak snitches frequently. I use old fashioned oats because that’s what I have on hand and I prefer a chewier texture. These are delicious (and while not low calorie, they’re minimally processed which I prioritize).
I made these into pucks using lined muffin tins. It perfectly makes 12 if you use a cookie dough scooper. Delicious!