No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars. A thick layer of chocolate and peanut butter is nestled between two layers of a buttery oatmeal cookie crust, for a delicious dessert perfect for any occasion. These peanut butter oat bars are easy to make with 5 ingredients in 10 minutes!

Prep Time : 10minutes mins

Cook Time : 2hours hrs

Chilling time : 2hours hrs

Total Time 2 hrs 10 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 16 bars 

Ingredients:

Oat Layer:

• ¾ cup salted butter
• ½ cup light brown sugar packed
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 3 cups quick cooking oats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions:

• Line an 8×8″ square baking dish with parchment paper, set aside.

Make the chocolate peanut butter layer:

1. In a large, microwave safe dish, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter. Start by heating for 60 seconds, then stir and heat in 30 second intervals until completely melted and smooth.
2. Set aside. (Alternatively, melt in a small saucepan over low heat).

Make the oat layer:

1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
2. Stir in brown sugar and sea salt. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Add vanilla and stir until combined.
4. Turn heat to low and add oats. Cook on low for about 2 minutes, or until ingredients are well combined.

Putting it together:

1. 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).
2. Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture gently and slowly over the bottom layer.
3. Reserving about 2-3 TBS to drizzle on top.
4. Very gently crumble the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate peanut butter layer.
5. Gently press it into place, making sure the entire top is covered.
6. Drizzle the top with your remaining chocolate/peanut butter mixture.
7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight (until chocolate is set).
8. Let the bars come to room temperature again before cutting into squares! Serve and enjoy!

Notes:

Ingredient Substitutions

Salted Butter. For a dairy-free version, use Earth Balance vegan butter or ghee. You can use unsalted butter as well.

Light Brown Sugar. Dark brown sugar works well, it just adds more of a molasses taste to the crust. For a refined-sugar-free version use coconut sugar.

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. You can also choose your favorite variety from milk to dark.

To store: 

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.

Nutritional Info:

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 303.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 29.4g | Protein: 7.3g | Fat: 20.7g | Saturated Fat: 8.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7.7g | Cholesterol: 23.2mg | Sodium: 98mg | Potassium: 64.8mg | Fiber: 3.6g | Sugar: 13.8g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1.1mg