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No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars Recipe

4.8 from 53 reviews

These No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are an easy, delicious treat with a rich combination of oats, chocolate, and peanut butter. Perfect for a quick dessert or snack, they require no baking and come together with just a few simple ingredients. The bars feature a layered texture with a buttery oat base, a smooth chocolate-peanut butter filling, and a final oat topping drizzled with chocolate. Refrigerate to set, then slice and enjoy a chewy, satisfying bar that’s sure to please chocolate and peanut butter lovers alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Oatmeal Layers

  • 1 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 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

  1. Prepare Pan: Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving overhangs on the edges to lift the bars easily after chilling. For thinner bars, a 9×13-inch pan can be used.
  2. Make Oat Mixture: 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. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add the rolled oats and cook over low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently until the mixture is well blended.
  3. Form Bottom Layer: Pour half of the oat mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Press down firmly to form a compact base. Reserve the remaining oat mixture for the top layer.
  4. Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt together the peanut butter and chocolate chips. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until smooth and fully combined.
  5. Assemble Middle Layer: Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the oat base, spreading it evenly. Reserve about 1/4 cup of this mixture for drizzling on top.
  6. Add Top Layer and Drizzle: Pour the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer, pressing in gently to adhere. Drizzle the reserved chocolate mixture over the top layer for an attractive finish.
  7. Chill and Set: Refrigerate the bars for 2 to 3 hours or overnight until fully set. Before cutting, bring to room temperature for easier slicing.

Notes

  • The texture depends on boiling time of the sugar mixture: boiling too briefly results in too soft bars, while boiling too long makes them dry and crumbly.
  • Use parchment paper to easily lift bars out without sticking.
  • For thinner bars, use a larger pan like 9×13 inches.
  • Bring to room temperature before cutting for clean slices.

Keywords: no-bake, oatmeal, peanut butter, chocolate bars, easy dessert, no bake bars, quick snack