The Holiday Favorite: No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Bars
When you’ve spent weeks tethered to your oven, the last thing you want is another complicated recipe. These bars are the perfect solution—rich, chewy, and requiring absolutely no oven time. They combine the hearty texture of oats with the classic, irresistible duo of chocolate and peanut butter.
Why These Bars Stand Out
- Crowd-Pleaser: In a sea of traditional sugar cookies, these bars offer a rich, decadent change of pace that people can’t resist.
- Effortless Prep: No rolling, chilling, or individual scooping required.
- Texture Heaven: A dense, chewy oat base topped with a silky-smooth chocolate layer that shatters perfectly when you bite in.
Ingredients
| Component | Item | Quantity |
| The Base | Unsalted Butter | 1 cup (2 sticks) |
| Brown Sugar | 1/2 cup | |
| Vanilla Extract | 1 tsp | |
| Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned) | 3 cups | |
| The Topping | Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips | 1 cup |
| Creamy Peanut Butter | 1/2 cup |
Instructions
1. Create the Oat Base
In a large saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and rolled oats. Cook over low heat for another 2–3 minutes to allow the oats to slightly toast and absorb the butter.
2. Press into the Pan
Press half of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of a greased 8×8 inch square baking dish. Ensure it is leveled out to create a solid foundation.
3. Melt the Chocolate Layer
In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter together. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and glossy.
4. Layer and Finish
Pour the chocolate-peanut butter mixture over the oat base in the pan. Top with the remaining oat mixture, crumbling it gently over the chocolate so bits of the dark layer still peek through.
5. Chill and Set
Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 2–3 hours (or overnight). This is crucial for the chocolate to firm up and the oats to set so you can cut them into clean, perfect squares.
Pro-Tips for Success
Storage: These stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week—if they last that long!
The Right Oats: Use Old Fashioned Rolled Oats for a chewy texture. Quick oats will result in a much softer, mushier bar.
Clean Cuts: For the cleanest squares, lift the entire block out of the pan using parchment paper and use a hot knife (run it under warm water and wipe dry) to slice.
