Description
Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat combining the wholesome goodness of rolled oats with creamy peanut butter, sweet honey or maple syrup, and rich chocolate chips. Perfect for a snack or dessert, these bars are baked to a golden perfection with optional crunchy nuts for added texture.
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 Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lightly greasing it 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 evenly distribute the salt throughout the oats.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, blend the creamy peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry oats. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is thick yet manageable, forming a cohesive dough.
- Add Chocolate and Nuts: Gently fold in the chocolate chips and optional chopped nuts, ensuring they are spread evenly throughout the mixture.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or clean hands to press the mixture down firmly and evenly.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges start turning golden brown, indicating doneness.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool inside the pan for about 20 minutes. If parchment paper was used, lift the bars out and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
- Cut into Bars: Once fully cooled, cut the slab into squares or bars of your preferred size for serving.
- Store: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Adding chopped nuts is optional but adds a delightful crunch.
- For extra sweetness, consider sprinkling a few extra chocolate chips on top before baking.
- Ensure bars are completely cooled before cutting to prevent crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
