Description
These Best No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat that combines buttery oats, rich peanut butter, and melting chocolate. Perfect for a quick dessert or snack, these bars set in the fridge without any baking required, offering a chewy, chocolaty texture that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Layer
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick oats
Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Melt Butter and Sugar: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter completely. Stir in the packed brown sugar and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until the sugar has fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
- Add and Cook Oats: Stir in the quick oats into the melted butter mixture. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring continuously to ensure all oats are coated and lightly toasted, which enhances their flavor.
- Prepare Base Layer: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal. Spread half of the oat mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, pressing gently to create a firm base.
- Melt Chocolate and Peanut Butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the semisweet chocolate chips and peanut butter. Microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently until smooth and fully melted.
- Spread Chocolate Layer: Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter mixture evenly over the oat base layer, spreading gently with a spatula to cover the surface completely.
- Add Top Layer: Spoon the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer. Gently pat it down to form an even, uniform top layer without mixing the layers together.
- Chill and Set: Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for about 2 hours until the bars are firm and set. Once ready, slice into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond or cashew butter according to preference.
- For a nuttier texture, consider adding chopped nuts to the oat mixture.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- To make the bars vegan, use dairy-free butter and chocolate chips.
- If you prefer a sweeter bar, increase the brown sugar slightly or add a drizzle of honey to the chocolate layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
