HomeDessertChocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a delightful combination of flavors and textures. They’re soft and chewy, thanks to the oats, while the peanut butter adds a rich, savory element. The chocolate chips melt into the bars, providing a sweet contrast to the nuttiness of the peanut butter. These bars are perfect as a snack, breakfast treat, or even a dessert.

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This recipe is easy to make, and with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, you’ll be able to enjoy these delectable bars in no time. Additionally, they’re customizable, so you can tweak the ingredients to suit your preferences (such as using almond butter instead of peanut butter or adding more chocolate chips). Let’s dive into the full recipe.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the bars will bake evenly, and you’ll be ready to pop them in the oven once everything is prepared.

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Step 2: Prepare the Baking Dish

Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter or non-stick spray. This makes removing the bars much easier once they’re baked. If you’re planning to cut them into squares, make sure to leave some overhang on the sides so you can lift the bars out easily.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: old-fashioned rolled oats, all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Peanut Butter

In a separate large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and peanut butter together using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer. Mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If you don’t have a mixer, you can use a whisk or spoon, but it may take a bit more elbow grease!

Step 5: Add Sugars and Egg

Once the butter and peanut butter are well combined, add the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Beat again until the mixture becomes light and fluffy—this should take around 2 minutes. Afterward, add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until fully incorporated. The mixture should be creamy and slightly thick.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet peanut butter mixture. Use a spatula or mixer to combine the two, being careful not to overmix. You want everything to just come together. It should form a dough that is thick but still slightly soft.

Step 7: Add Milk

Pour in the milk (or your choice of plant-based milk) and continue to stir until fully combined. The milk will help to loosen the dough slightly, making it easier to spread in the pan. The consistency should now be soft but not too runny.

Step 8: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

Once the dough is well combined, fold in the chocolate chips (and any optional add-ins like nuts or dried fruit). Be gentle while mixing to ensure the chocolate chips remain intact and distributed evenly throughout the dough.

Step 9: Spread Dough into the Pan

Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly across the pan, pressing down lightly to make sure it’s firmly packed. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but you want it relatively smooth.

Step 10: Bake the Bars

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bars are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Keep in mind that baking times can vary based on your oven, so it’s always good to check a few minutes early.

Step 11: Cool the Bars

Once the bars are done baking, remove them from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. If you used parchment paper, you can lift the entire block of bars out of the pan for quicker cooling.

Let the bars cool completely before slicing into squares. This helps them set and prevents them from falling apart. The cooling time is key to getting those perfectly cut bars!

Step 12: Slice and Serve

Once cooled, use a sharp knife to slice the bars into squares. You can make them as big or small as you like depending on your preference or how you intend to serve them. These bars are perfect for lunchboxes, as a quick snack, or even as a dessert to accompany your afternoon tea or coffee.

Customizing Your Bars

While this recipe is already delicious, there are several ways to customize it to your taste or dietary preferences:

  1. Substitute the Peanut Butter – If you don’t have peanut butter or are allergic to it, you can swap in other nut butters, such as almond butter or cashew butter. Each nut butter will slightly alter the flavor profile, but the bars will still be wonderful.
  2. Use Different Oats – While old-fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture for this recipe, you could also try quick oats if that’s what you have on hand. However, the texture may be a bit different, as quick oats tend to absorb liquid more quickly and could result in a denser bar.
  3. Make it Vegan – To make these bars vegan, substitute the butter with a dairy-free option like coconut oil or vegan butter. For the egg, you can use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) or a chia egg. Additionally, make sure to choose dairy-free chocolate chips.
  4. Sweetener Options – If you prefer to use a more natural sweetener, you could try substituting the brown sugar and granulated sugar with maple syrup, honey, or a sugar substitute like Stevia or Erythritol (although this may slightly alter the texture).
  5. Add More Flavor – To elevate the flavor of these bars, try adding some cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of espresso powder to the oat mixture. These additions pair wonderfully with both peanut butter and chocolate.

Conclusion

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are an indulgent yet hearty treat that is perfect for just about any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a snack to satisfy your sweet tooth or a quick breakfast on the go, these bars offer the perfect combination of flavors and textures. The chewiness of the oats, the richness of the peanut butter, and the sweetness of the chocolate chips make them a family favorite. Best of all, they are easy to make and customizable to suit your preferences!

Yield: 12

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a delightful combination of flavors and textures. They’re soft and chewy, thanks to the oats, while the peanut butter adds a rich, savory element. The chocolate chips melt into the bars, providing a sweet contrast to the nuttiness of the peanut butter. These bars are perfect as a snack, breakfast treat, or even a dessert.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup flour (all-purpose or whole wheat)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup butter (softened)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or regular chips)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, honey (or maple syrup), softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Gradually add the dry oat mixture into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
  5. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  6. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the bars are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Allow the bars to cool in the pan before slicing into squares.

Notes

  • These bars are versatile! You can swap out the chocolate chips for dried fruit, nuts, or even add some coconut flakes for extra flavor.
  • They are great for meal prep or snacks and can be stored in an airtight container for up to a week.
  • For a slightly chewier texture, underbake them by 2-3 minutes and let them cool completely in the pan before cutting.
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