Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

4.97 from 84 votes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

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!

Prep Time10

Cook Time2

Chilling time2

Total Time2 10

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Servings: bars

Author: Laura Sandford

Cost: $5

Equipment

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

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Line an 8x8" 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

Ingredient 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. Since the chocolate is being melted, you can use chips, bars or discs. Choose your favorite variety from milk to dark.

Store/Freeze

Store these peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutrition