Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome snack perfect for any time of day. Combining creamy peanut butter, sweet honey or maple syrup, hearty rolled oats, and rich chocolate chips, these bars offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures. Easy to make and bake, they are ideal for breakfast, a midday energy boost, or a healthy dessert option.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
- Optional: ½ cup chopped nuts (e.g., almonds or walnuts)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by greasing it lightly or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats and salt, stirring well to ensure the salt is evenly distributed throughout the oats.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the creamy peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until you achieve a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet peanut butter mixture into the bowl of dry oats and salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly combined into a thick but manageable mixture.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Nuts: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts, making sure they are evenly spread throughout the batter.
- Transfer Mixture to Pan: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking pan, using a spatula or your hands to press it down firmly and evenly for a compact bar.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a golden brown color.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Then, if lined with parchment, lift the bars out and cool completely on a wire rack.
- Cut into Bars: Once fully cooled, cut into squares or bars of your preferred size for serving.
- Store: Keep these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them to maintain freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version.
- Chilling the mixture before baking can help it set better but is optional.
- Feel free to use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer added texture.
- Adding a pinch of cinnamon can enhance the flavor profile.
- These bars freeze well—wrap individually for easy grab-and-go snacks.
