This post may contain affiliate links.
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are loaded with a creamy filling and studded with chocolate chips. They’re rich, decadent, and oh-so-yummy!
Why I Love These Bars
I love everything about these bars. The creamy filling, the rich chocolate chips, the buttery oatmeal bottom and top layers… it’s just a whole lotta good in one bar!!
I tested this recipe so many times. I started with my chocolate revel bars recipe, then tested different ratios of flour and oatmeal, different fillings, and a handful of different baking temperatures/times. I even tried it with gluten-free flour for those of you who can´t tolerate wheat flour. (More on that below…)
Honestly, it got to the point where my husband said “Are you just testing these again because you wanna eat them??” Busted. Ha! But lucky for you, this recipe is done and ready to share!
Key Ingredients
The full list of ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card below, but I wanted to draw attention to a few of them.
- Creamy Peanut Butter – I don’t recommend the “natural” peanut butter as it may affect the consistency.
- Quick Oats – aka instant oats (uncooked)
- Chocolate Chips – I use semi-sweet to balance the sweetness.
- Sweetened Condensed Milk – Do NOT confuse this with evaporated milk (they’re VERY different!).
- Peanut Butter Chips – Reese’s brand peanut butter chips are my favorite.
How Do You Make These Bars?
First, you’ll want to prepare a pan by lining it with parchment paper, foil, or spraying with cooking oil. Then, preheat the oven to 350 F and get ready to bake!
Then, you’ll add butter (make sure it’s at room temp!), creamy peanut butter, sugar, and packed brown sugar to a mixing bowl. Once it’s light and fluffy, add the eggs and vanilla. Finally, you’ll stir in the quick oats and flour until combined.
Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan and bake. While it’s baking, you will prepare the filling by microwaving peanut butter chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter, and stirring until smooth.
Next, spread the peanut butter filling over the oatmeal crust, sprinkle with chocolate chips, and break up the remaining oatmeal mixture to place on top.
The bars will then go back into the oven to finish baking. Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are beginning to brown. Once you’ve removed them from the oven, let them cool completely, cut into bars, and devour!!!
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Cover the bars with a lid or aluminum foil. They’ll stay good at room temperature, or you can keep them in the fridge. Eat or freeze within 5 days.
Can I Freeze These Bars?
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, you certainly can freeze them! I like to cut them into squares, place them into freezer bags, and freeze for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to eat, just grab one (or two!), let it thaw at room temperature, and enjoy! Or, if you’re super impatient, like me, put it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it up! 🙂
Can I Make These Gluten Free?
YES! You could use a “cup for cup” gluten-free flour in place of the all-purpose flour. You’ll also want to make sure the oats you’re using are made in a facility without wheat. Double-check the remaining ingredients, and you should be good! 🙂
Other Chocolate Peanut Butter Desserts You’ll Love!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats
- 2 cups flour
Filling
- 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 pan by lining with parchment paper or coating with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix the butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar.1/4 cup butter, 1 cup peanut butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 cup brown sugar
- Mix in the eggs and vanilla then the oatmeal and flour until combined.2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 1/2 cups quick oats, 2 cups flour
- Press 2/3 of the mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- While the bottom layer is baking, make the filling. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, peanut butter chips and butter. Microwave on high in 30 second intervals until smooth.1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup peanut butter chips, 2 tablespoons butter
- Once the bottom layer is done baking, pour the filling over it and carefully spread it out. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top then place remaining oatmeal mixture on top and press it down lightly.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
Amazing!! Everyone loved them and they didnt last long
Woohoo!! So glad to hear that! 🙂
Soooo tasty 😋 and easy to make. Couldn’t wait and had some before they were cold- yum yum
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Elexes!! 🙂
I loved this recipe and is a great addition to my list of sweets to make. I left too much of the oatmeal mixture for the top and didn’t press it in to the filling enough so a lot flaked off when taking them out of the pan. Can’t wait to try these again! I attempted to freeze some but just kept pulling more out to eat they were that good!