No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Delicious and easy No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars layered with buttery oats, rich chocolate, and creamy peanut butter. Perfect for a quick treat without turning on the oven, these bars combine chewy oats with smooth chocolate and peanut butter in a satisfying no-bake dessert.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Oatmeal Layers
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups rolled oats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling
- 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the edges to easily lift the bars later. For thinner bars, use a 9×13-inch dish.
- Melt Butter and Sugar: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and brown sugar together until the butter is fully melted and the sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally.
- Add Vanilla and Oats: Stir in the vanilla extract, then mix in the rolled oats. Cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the ingredients are well blended and the oats are coated.
- Create the Bottom Layer: Pour half of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly and press down firmly to form the base layer. Keep the remaining oat mixture for the top layer.
- Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the peanut butter and chocolate chips together in short bursts, stirring until smooth and fully combined.
- Layer the Filling: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the oat base in the pan, spreading it evenly and reserving about 1/4 cup for drizzling the top layer.
- Add the Top Oat Layer: Spread the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing gently to adhere. Drizzle the reserved chocolate mixture evenly over the top.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the bars for 2 to 3 hours or overnight until firm. Before cutting, bring to room temperature for easier slicing.
Notes
- Boiling time of the sugar mixture affects texture: undercooking results in soft bars, overcooking leads to dry, crumbly bars.
- Use parchment paper with overhang to lift bars easily from the pan.
- Thinner bars can be made by using a larger pan (9×13-inch).
- Bring bars to room temperature before cutting to prevent crumbling.
Keywords: no bake, chocolate oatmeal bars, peanut butter, easy dessert, oats, no bake bars, quick treat, chocolate peanut butter bars
