Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Introduction

These oatmeal bars are a deliciously chewy and nutty treat, perfect for a quick snack or a sweet breakfast boost. Combining wholesome oats with rich peanut butter and a hint of maple syrup, they’re simple to make and satisfying to eat.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (150 g) all-purpose/plain flour
• 1 cup (80 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp baking/bicarb soda
• 1/2 cup (125 g) butter, melted
• 1/3 cup (70 g) brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup peanut butter (preferably crunchy)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. Step 2: Line a 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 inch) baking dish with non-stick baking paper, allowing an overhang for easy removal later.
3. Step 3: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, rolled oats, sea salt, and baking soda; mix well.
4. Step 4: Melt the butter, then mix it with vanilla extract and brown sugar in another bowl until combined.
5. Step 5: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly.
6. Step 6: Firmly press about three-quarters of the mixture into the prepared baking dish, reserving the remaining portion for topping. Bake for 10 minutes.
7. Step 7: While the base bakes, mix the peanut butter and maple syrup in a small bowl. If the peanut butter is thick, warm it briefly in the microwave to loosen.
8. Step 8: Remove the base from the oven, spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over it, and crumble the reserved mixture over the top.
9. Step 9: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and cooked through.
10. Step 10: Let the bars cool on the counter for 30 minutes.
11. Step 11: Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until completely cool before lifting them out using the paper overhang and cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

• For a smoother texture, use creamy peanut butter instead of crunchy.
• Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the topping for extra flavor and texture.
• If you prefer a sweeter bar, drizzle a bit more maple syrup over the top before baking.
• Use gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free.

Storage

Store the oatmeal bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, allow them to come to room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use natural peanut butter instead of crunchy?

Yes, natural or creamy peanut butter works well in this recipe and will give a smoother texture to the bars.

What can I substitute for maple syrup?

You can replace maple syrup with honey or agave syrup as a natural sweetener alternative without affecting the taste significantly.

Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 114 reviews

Delicious and easy-to-make oatmeal bars featuring a buttery oat base layered with a peanut butter and maple syrup filling, topped with a crumbly oat mixture. These bars are perfect for a wholesome snack or a quick breakfast treat.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 65 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars (4×4 squares) 1x
• Category: Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup (150 g) all-purpose/plain flour
• 1 cup (80 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp baking/bicarb soda

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (125 g) butter – melted
• 1/3 cup (70 g) brown sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup peanut butter (preferably crunchy)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 175 Degrees C (350F) to ensure it’s ready for baking the bars.
2. Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 20 x 20 cm (8 x 8 inch) baking dish with non-stick baking paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal of the bars after baking.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, rolled oats, sea salt, and baking soda. Stir well to evenly distribute the ingredients.
4. Prepare Butter Mixture: Melt the butter and place it in another bowl. Add the brown sugar and vanilla extract to the melted butter, stirring until well combined.
5. Combine Mixtures: Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix thoroughly until a cohesive dough forms.
6. Form Base Layer: Reserve about 1/4 of the mixture (approximately 100 g or a firmly packed 1/2 cup). Firmly press the remaining 3/4 of the mixture evenly into the lined baking dish to create the base layer. Bake this base for 10 minutes.
7. Prepare Peanut Butter Layer: In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter with maple syrup. If the peanut butter is too thick, heat it in the microwave for a few seconds to achieve a smoother consistency.
8. Add Peanut Butter Layer: Remove the baked base from the oven and immediately spread the peanut butter and maple syrup mixture evenly over it.
9. Top with Crumble: Crumble the reserved 1/4 mixture evenly over the peanut butter layer using your fingers.
10. Bake Final Assembly: Return the assembled bars to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the topping is cooked through and light golden brown.
11. Cool Bars: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool on your bench for 30 minutes.
12. Chill and Slice: Place the cooled bars in the fridge and chill for another 30 minutes to firm up. Remove from the tin using the baking paper overhang and cut into squares. Cutting while warm may cause the bars to crumble.

Notes

• Note 1: Using all-purpose flour is standard, but whole wheat flour can be used for a healthier alternative.
• Note 2: Old-fashioned rolled oats provide better texture than quick oats.
• Note 3: Crunchy peanut butter adds texture, but creamy peanut butter can be used if preferred.
• Note 4: Maple syrup provides a natural sweetness and helps with the peanut butter consistency.

Keywords: oatmeal bars, peanut butter bars, baked oat bars, healthy snack, maple syrup dessert