Description

These Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome treat, combining the hearty texture of oats with the creamy richness of peanut butter and the sweet delight of chocolate chips. Perfect for a snack or dessert, these bars bake up moist and chewy with just the right balance of sweetness and saltiness.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry 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

Wet Ingredients

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

Add-ins

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (or regular chocolate chips)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent the bars from sticking.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, flour, baking soda, and salt until well combined, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, brown sugar, honey (or maple syrup), softened butter, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually stir the dry oat mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until fully combined to avoid overworking the batter.
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips carefully to distribute them evenly throughout the batter.
Prepare for Baking: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan using a spatula, smoothing the surface for uniform thickness.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly before slicing them into squares for serving.

Notes

Use parchment paper for easier removal and cleaner slicing.
You can substitute maple syrup for honey for a different flavor profile.
For a gluten-free version, ensure the oats and flour are certified gluten-free.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Snack, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar (1/16th of recipe)
Calories: 180
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 110mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: chocolate chip bars, peanut butter bars, oatmeal bars, homemade snacks, easy dessert