No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Rich, fudgy no-bake bars with a chewy oat base and creamy chocolate peanut butter topping. Made with just 6 pantry ingredients in under 20 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter salted or unsalted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed firmly
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure vanilla works best
- 3 cups rolled oats old-fashioned, not quick oats
- 1 cup chocolate chips semisweet or dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup peanut butter creamy or chunky both work
Instructions
- Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter completely. Stir in brown sugar until well combined and slightly bubbling. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour rolled oats into the butter mixture and stir thoroughly until every oat is coated.
- Transfer oat mixture to prepared pan and press down firmly and evenly using back of spatula or hands.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth (about 90 seconds total).
- Pour chocolate mixture over pressed oat layer and spread evenly with spatula.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until chocolate layer is firm.
- Using parchment overhang, lift bars from pan. Cut into 16 squares with sharp knife, wiping knife between cuts.
Notes
Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months
Don't let butter mixture boil vigorously or bars may turn out too hard
For cleaner cuts, chill bars fully before cutting
Can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or Nutella
For dairy-free version, use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips
Don't let butter mixture boil vigorously or bars may turn out too hard
For cleaner cuts, chill bars fully before cutting
Can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or Nutella
For dairy-free version, use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips