Description
Delicious oat layer bars with a chocolaty peanut butter filling.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup butter
- ½ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup peanut butter
Instructions
- Prepare your pan: Line an 8×8 or 9×9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with butter. This will make removing and slicing the bars much easier later on.
- Make the oat base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the brown sugar and vanilla, mixing until the sugar dissolves slightly and the mixture begins to bubble. Stir in the oats and cook over low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the oats are fully coated and softened a bit.
- Press and chill the first layer: Scoop about two-thirds of the oat mixture into your prepared pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it down firmly and evenly into the bottom. Set the remaining oat mixture aside.
- Make the chocolate layer: In a separate saucepan (or in the microwave in 20-second increments), melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Stir until smooth and well combined. Pour the chocolate mixture over the oat layer in the pan and spread it evenly.
- Add the top oat layer: Drop spoonfuls of the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate layer. You don’t need to completely cover the top—just dot it evenly. Gently press the oats into the chocolate to help them stick.
- Chill and set: Refrigerate the bars for at least 2–3 hours, or until the chocolate is firm. For faster setting, pop the pan in the freezer for about 45 minutes.
- Slice and enjoy: Once fully set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper (if used), and slice into squares or rectangles. Enjoy cold, at room temperature, or slightly softened for extra gooeyness.
Notes
- These bars are perfect for a sweet snack or dessert.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg