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    Home » Dessert

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

    Published: Mar 10, 2022 · Modified: Jun 9, 2023 by Sula · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Sweets for the sweet! Sometimes you just need to have some, am I right?

    This easy bar recipe is such a great solution when you have that need. Chocolate, peanut butter and oatmeal combined to make bars.

    And all you need is a little time on the stove top and with the microwave – no baking required! Perfect for those days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.

    Your reward is a buttery and chocolatey bar that has that delicious crumbly taste and texture of oatmeal.

    You will love each and every bite. It’s divine!

    pile of chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars on a small red plate with a few small bars and oatmeal in front of it.

    Why I Love These Oatmeal Bars

    Everyone needs some easy recipes in their collection. One never knows when the emergency need may strike! Think last-minute get-together, or a potluck at work.

    I’ve had this recipe for years, and these bars have never failed me. They are easy to make and always well received. I just don’t think you can go wrong with a chocolate and peanut butter combination.

    They only need 30 minutes of time to assemble before you put them in the fridge to chill. In a couple hours (or overnight) they are ready to be cut. And served.

    And there’s something about using oatmeal in that crust. It almost makes them seem . . . healthy.

    Almost. 🤞🏻

    Ingredients

    ingredients: oats, chocolate chips, peanut butter, vanilla, butter, brown sugar.

    How to Make These No Bake Bars

    To start, line an 8x8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Alternatively, you could grease the pan but once the bars are done I find it much simpler to lift the parchment paper with the block of bars out of the pan before cutting.

    In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Then add the brown sugar and vanilla. Stir for a minute to dissolve the sugar. Mix in the oats, then cook over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the ingredients are well blended.

    cook the oats with butter, sugar and vanilla
    Cook the oats with butter, brown sugar, and vanilla
    press the cooked mixture into a pan
    Press ⅔ of the cooked oat mixture into the prepared pan

    Press about ⅔ of the oatmeal mixture into the parchment-lined pan. Reserve the rest of the mixture for the topping.

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    Chocolate-peanut butter layer

    Now, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. One way to do this is on the stovetop over low heat. Use a small but heavy saucepan and stir frequently until the chips are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.

    As an alternative, I like to melt using the microwave. Place the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a bowl and microwave in 30 to 60 second increments to melt the chips, stirring in between each microwave step. I start with 60 seconds and then switch to 30 seconds at a time as the chips begin to melt. Typically, the mixture will require only 2-3 total minutes of microwave time.

    chocolate chips and peanut butter in a glass bowl
    Put chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl
    partially melted chocolate chips mixing with peanut butter
    Microwave 30 to 60 seconds at a time and stir in between
    smooth chocolate sauce in a bowl
    Once the chocolate is completely melted, you will have a smooth mixture

    Add to crust

    Once the chocolate mixture is smooth, pour it over the crust in the pan and spread it evenly over the crust.

    Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer and press it in very gently.

    Spreading chocolate layer in pan
    Spread chocolate mixture in pan
    Sprinkle remaining oats over top of chocolate
    Sprinkle remaining oats over the top
    gently pat topping in place with spatula
    Pat gently

    Cover and refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours before cutting. If you refrigerate longer, such as overnight, allow the bars to warm slightly at room temperature before attempting to cut into squares.

    Expert Tips

    • Use quick-cooking oats for best results. The oat layer is very crumbly; using rolled oats makes the crumble factor even more pronounced! Of course, if that is all you have, you can still use them.  They are delicious either way.
    • Use mini chocolate chips for the fastest melting. Regular sized chips will work but will take a little longer to melt fully. I’m all about saving those extra seconds!
    pin for chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars

    Serving Suggestions

    These bars are quite rich, and the oatmeal layer can get a little crumbly. If you cut your pieces nice and small, they'll be easier to eat. And no one will judge if you have more than one. 😁

    I love these bars with a cup of coffee or tea. I also found a Starbucks Iced Americano recipe that would be a delicious complement to these flavors!

    More Delicious Bar Recipes

    • Chocolate Caramel Bars
    • Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Cranberry Sauce Bars
    • Toll House Brownies

    More No-Bake Desserts

    • Oreo Krispies
    • Snickers Pie
    • Frozen S’mores Pie
    • Easy Chocolate Mousse

    📖 Recipe

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    red plate with a stack of chocolate peanut butter oatmeal bars
    5 from 55 votes
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    Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

    This easy and delicious no-bake bar will be one you turn to again and again!
    Prep Time30 minutes mins
    Cook Time0 minutes mins
    Chill time3 hours hrs
    Total Time3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 40
    Calories: 116kcal
    Author: Sula

    Ingredients

    • ¾ cup butter
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 3 cups quick-cooking oats
    • 1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
    • ¾ cup peanut butter

    Instructions

    • Line an 8x8-inch square pan with parchment paper. (or grease if preferred)
    • In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Then add the brown sugar and vanilla. Stir for a minute to dissolve the sugar. Mix in the oats, then cook over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the butter is fully incorporated into the oats.
      ¾ cup butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3 cups quick-cooking oats
    • Press about ⅔ of the oatmeal mixture into the parchment-lined pan. Reserve the rest of the mixture for the topping.
    • Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together by placing them in a bowl and microwaving 60 seconds. Try to stir, then microwave again for 30 seconds. Stir and repeat until the chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth. (Or, melt in a saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently, until smooth)
      1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, ¾ cup peanut butter
    • Pour the chocolate over the crust in the pan and spread it to make an even layer.
    • Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer and press it in very gently. Cover and refrigerate the bars for at least 3 hours before cutting. If you refrigerate longer, such as overnight, allow the bars to warm slightly at room temperature before attempting to cut into squares.

    Notes

    Regular size chocolate chips can be used but will take a little longer to fully melt vs mini chocolate chips.
    Rolled oats can be used in place of quick-cooking oats but will result in an even more crumbly bar than usual.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 185IU | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Josie

      May 25, 2022 at 7:08 pm

      Can i use cacao powder or chips instead of chocolate?

      Reply
      • Sula

        May 26, 2022 at 9:29 pm

        I've never tried this but I think it would work. Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    5 from 55 votes (55 ratings without comment)

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