These no-bake oatmeal bars are a delicious combination of rolled oats, chocolate chips, and peanut butter. It’s a healthy and delicious snack that can be easily and simply prepared in no time.
5 Ingredient Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Chocolate oatmeal bars are sweet enough with rich chocolate/peanut butter filling and a chewy oatmeal base. As they are sweet enough on their own because of the ingredients used, I recommend using unsweetened peanut butter.
Also, chocolate oat bars are very versatile – you can add any nuts, dried fruits, or another type of nut butter or sweetener.
- Butter: Adds rich flavor to the oatmeal mixture and helps to bind the rolled oats.
- Brown sugar: Main sweetener. You can also use light brown sugar.
- Vanilla extract: Adds vanilla flavor.
- Rolled oats: One of the main ingredients that create structure and crumb.
- Chocolate chips and peanut butter: Create a delicious filling with a rich taste. You can use smooth or creamy peanut butter.
How to make No-Bake Oatmeal Bars?
- In a saucepan, mix together butter and brown sugar until completely combined and the sugar dissolves.
- Add vanilla extract, 3 tbsp peanut butter, rolled oats, and a pinch of salt. Stir together and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat.
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture to this prepared pan. Spread evenly using a spatula or your hands. Set aside.
- In a microwave or on the stove, melt together 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1/3 cup of peanut butter. Stir until incorporated and completely melted. You can reserve a few tablespoons of this chocolate mixture for topping. Pour over the oatmeal base. Spread evenly.
- Top with the reserved 1/3 of the oatmeal mixture and peanuts (optional). Let it cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate until set.
Remove from the refrigerator. Let the chocolate oatmeal bars warm up to room temperature. Slice and drizzle with reserved chocolate/peanut mixture (if desired) and serve!
Baking Tips:
- You can also use a bigger baking pan if you want to make thinner chocolate oatmeal bars.
- Use any type of chocolate chip (semisweet or dark).
- Add some honey to the oatmeal mixture if you want to make it more sweet and sticky.
- It is necessary to line the baking pan with parchment paper, so it will be easier to remove no-bake oatmeal bars from the baking pan.
My bars are crumbly, what happened?
No-bake oatmeal bar base can seem crumbly when it’s just spread in the baking pan, but it will firm up in the refrigerator. You can also add some honey as a binding agent.
Making ahead, storing, and freezing:
These chocolate oat bars are perfect for making ahead. You can make it a day or two before and store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Store leftover chocolate oatmeal bars in the refrigerator for up to 6-7 days. You can also store them in the freezer inside a ziplock bag or an airtight container for up to 1-2 months.
No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Yield: 16
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
These no-bake oatmeal bars are a delicious combination of rolled oats, chocolate chips, and peanut butter.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter;
- 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed;
- 1 tsp vanilla extract;
- 2 ½ cups rolled oats;
- pinch of salt;
- 1 cup chocolate chips;
- 1/3 plus 3 tbsp peanut butter, divided.
For topping:
- 1/4 cup peanuts, optional.
Instructions
- In a saucepan, mix together the butter and brown sugar until completely combined and the sugar dissolves.
- Add vanilla extract, 3 tbsp peanut butter, rolled oats, and a pinch of salt. Stir together and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
- Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer 2/3 of the oatmeal mixture to this prepared pan. Spread evenly using a spatula or your hands. Set aside.
- In a microwave or on the stove, melt together 1 cup of chocolate chips and 1/3 cup of peanut butter. Stir until incorporated and completely melted. You can reserve a few tablespoons of this chocolate mixture for topping. Pour over the oatmeal base. Spread evenly.
- Top with reserved 1/3 of the oatmeal mixture and peanuts (optional). Let it cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate until set.
- Remove from the refrigerator. Let the chocolate oatmeal bars warm up to room temperature. Slice and drizzle with reserved chocolate/peanut mixture (if desired) and serve!
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 240Total Fat: 16.9gSaturated Fat: 8.8gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 60mgCarbohydrates: 18.8gFiber: 2.1gSugar: 11.9gProtein: 3.8g
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