Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
These Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are the easiest dessert or snack to make any day of the week. They're a favorite recipe for a crowd with classic chocolate peanut butter flavor. Using just a handful of pantry ingredients, they're a tried-and-true recipe.
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 210kcal
Ingredients
Base Layer
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Top Layer
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease with butter or nonstick spray.
- In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, oats, baking soda, and salt. Mix until combined, then set aside.
- To a large bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer, add butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Beat for 30 seconds or until light and fluffy.
- To the butter, add the egg, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla. Beat until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Beat until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer.
- Bake 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.
- Immediately sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the base. Allow them to sit undisturbed for 1 minute or until softened, then spread evenly.
- In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and peanut butter. Gradually add enough milk to make it a drizzling consistency. Drizzle over the top. Allow the bars to set-up for 2 hours. Cut into squares and serve.
Video
Notes
Storage:
Store the peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the bars as well an airtight container for up to 2 months. When it comes to prepping these ahead of time, it's the perfect recipe to make in advance since they have to set for 2 hours prior to eating. Expert Tips:
Store the peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the bars as well an airtight container for up to 2 months. When it comes to prepping these ahead of time, it's the perfect recipe to make in advance since they have to set for 2 hours prior to eating. Expert Tips:
- Make sure you sprinkle over the chocolate chips while the bottom layer is still warm to help them melt quickly. You want the chocolate to melt evenly, so you can spread it easily on top into an even layer.
- If the peanut butter drizzle for the top layer is too thick, simply add more milk and stir until easy to drizzle. Be sure to let the bars set up for at least 2 hours before slicing and serving. You can pop them into the fridge if you need to help them set.
- Be sure to use the quick cooking oats. They're softer in texture than old fashioned oats, so when they're baked for a shorter period of time they will still be soft and chewy in texture.
- Don't over-bake the bottom layer. You want to make sure these bars stay soft so they'll melt in your mouth. Make sure you bake them until just golden brown, they will continue cooking as they cool in the pan.
- Swap out the chocolate chips. You could use white chocolate or butterscotch chips as well if you like those.
Nutrition
Calories: 210kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 161IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
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