Today I’m sharing my oatmeal chocolate peanut butter bars. I love peanut butter; combining it with chocolate makes it a winner in my book. We love peanut butter ice cream and peanut butter sandwiches, and I’m known to grab a spoon and eat peanut butter right out of the jar as well! I love to spread it on Ritz crackers, and I could go on and on.
These bars are so easy to make with oatmeal, semi-sweet chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and peanut butter! They are perfect for your next family reunion or to take to a neighborhood party. Please note that as of May 2025, I am hearing about chocolate shortages. Please stock up on cocoa, chocolate chips, and your favorite candy!
It’s the combination of oatmeal, chocolate, peanut butter chips, and semi-sweet chocolate chips that makes it the perfect treat to enjoy making and serving. These bars are moist and chewy and have just the right sweetness. In case you missed this post, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Kitchen Items You May Need:
- Stand Mixer or Large Mixing Bowl
- 9-inch Square Pan
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Step One
Gather the ingredients so you’re ready to make the recipe. Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease and set aside a 9-inch square baking pan.
Step Two
Grab a medium-sized bowl and mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats.
Step Three
Use a stand mixer or a large bowl, mixed by hand, to cream the egg, butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
Step Four
Stir in the dry ingredients and mix through.
Step Five
This is the picture after adding the wet and dry ingredients together.
Step Six
Stir in the semi-sweet and peanut butter chips and mix until evenly distributed.
Step Seven
Scoop the mixture into your baking pan and pat the dough until evenly spread. The dough is sticky, but the whole kitchen smells yummy!
Finished Product
Bake the mixture for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. DO NOT OVERBAKE! Let the Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars rest for 30 minutes before cutting them. Enjoy.
Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars Recipe
Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I use bread flour because that's what I stock)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used mini chips)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter chips (I used mini chips)
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Grease a 9-inch square baking pan. Set it aside.
-
Grab a medium-sized bowl and mix the flour, baking soda, salt, and oats.
-
Use a stand mixer or a large bowl if mixing by hand to cream the egg, butter, peanut butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Cream it until fluffy.
-
Stir in the dry ingredients and mix through.
-
Add the vanilla and mix until combined. Stir in the semi-sweet and peanut butter chips and mix until evenly distributed.
-
Scoop the mixture into your baking pan and pat the dough until evenly spread. Bake them for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. DO NOT OVERBAKE!
-
Let the Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars rest for 30 minutes before cutting them. Enjoy.
How do I store these after I bake them?
I store them in an airtight Tupperware-type container.
Can I freeze these after baking them?
These freeze very well. Please place them in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 2 months.
Can I substitute different chips in this recipe?
Yes, you can. Some people like milk chocolate chips over dark chocolate/semi-sweet chips. You can trade them out for butterscotch, Reese’s peanut butter, sea salt caramel, cinnamon, or white chocolate chips. Any of these work, depending on your family’s taste preference. You can trade out any or all of them. This recipe is so versatile; any of these makes the bars delicious.
Is it possible to use chunky peanut butter?
We love using creamy and chunky/crunchy peanut butter; either will work.
Would steel-cut oats work with this recipe?
That isn’t something I’ve tried using them because they have a different texture than old-fashioned oats.
I only stock quick-cooking oatmeal, will that work in the recipe?
It isn’t something I can recommend because this recipe needs a bit more texture.
Who put chocolate and peanut butter together?
I quote, Times Record News: “It was invented by a struggling dairyman named Harry Reese. Reese worked on a dairy farm owned by Milton Hershey, the Hershey chocolate king, and in 1928, Harry began toying with the idea of mixing peanut butter and chocolate in cups.”
Are there health benefits to eating peanut butter?
Many people who try to be health-conscious when planning meals will tell you they like peanuts and peanut butter because it is packed with protein. If you look to meat as your primary protein source, you may want to consider trying peanuts as an alternative. Yes, peanuts have fats, but they are called “good fats” and are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. They are known for providing a lower risk of weight gain and related obesity, as long as they are eaten in moderation, mainly due to their high-calorie content.
Peanuts have great nutritional value because they are a great source of magnesium, vitamins B6 and E, niacin, and manganese. We all need certain metals in our bodies, and peanuts provide copper, a mineral that strengthens our bones, increases our immune functions, and provides strong blood vessels.
I hadn’t heard of it before, but my research revealed that peanuts contain a fat called oleic acid. This fat can help you maintain proper cholesterol and blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure, all worthwhile goals as you strive to lower your risk of heart disease. It can also reduce your body’s resistance to insulin, thus reducing the chance of type 2 diabetes.
One other positive feature of peanuts is the number of antioxidants they contain. Antioxidants are great to help prevent any cell damage, and they do some repair work on cells.
Are there health concerns with peanut butter?
One of the main concerns relates to the possibility of allergies. Many manufacturing plants will state on their products that their equipment has been used to process peanuts, even though the product doesn’t contain any. Those allergic to peanuts must be very cautious since the allergy can be fatal to some.
Other nuts and nut butters provide a favorable flavor and can be used as a substitute for peanuts. Try almond, macadamia, or walnut butter if you have an allergy.
Peanuts do have a relatively high level of saturated fat. Again, eating peanuts in moderation should help shield you from future heart problems.
When wanting to eat peanut products, one approach is to purchase those that incorporate “natural peanut butter” without added sugars, oils, or salt. Check with your local natural or health food store; they should be able to guide you to the healthiest product they stock.
Why is peanut butter so popular?
Here are a few things to consider in response to that question:
- It tastes great with so many other foods and baking ingredients.
- Has tons of protein.
- No need for refrigeration.
- Great food storage item.
- It can be eaten right out of the jar.
- Suitable for quick and easy meals.
- Doesn’t need to be cooked or otherwise prepared before being used.
- It is relatively inexpensive.
- Full of nutrients.
- Good in various sauces.
Final Word
I hope you try making my Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars. This is a great recipe to teach our kids and grandkids how to cook or bake from scratch. I love hearing from those readers who try out my posted recipes. Let me know how your experience making and serving it went. I made this batch today, and it’s already gone. Gotta love it! Please keep stocking up on food products if we expect to be adequately prepared for emergencies. Stay safe. May God bless this world, Linda
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