Decadent Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These Decadent Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a perfect blend of creamy peanut butter, hearty oats, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar and maple syrup. Baked to golden perfection with a crumbly oat topping, these bars are ideal for a nutritious breakfast, snack, or dessert that you’ll crave daily.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 2 cups Old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Butter (melted)
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 cup Peanut butter (creamy)
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) to prepare for baking the bars.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Line a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8 inch) baking dish with non-stick baking paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, sea salt, and baking soda until well incorporated.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, melt the butter and combine it with brown sugar and vanilla extract, stirring until smooth.
- Combine Mixtures: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly until fully combined.
- Form Base Layer: Press about ¾ of the mixture firmly into the prepared baking dish, reserving around 100g (½ cup) of the mixture for the topping.
- Bake Base: Bake the base layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until just set.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Layer: In a small bowl, blend peanut butter and maple syrup until smooth and creamy.
- Spread Peanut Butter Layer: Evenly spread the peanut butter and maple syrup mixture over the baked base layer.
- Add Crumble Topping: Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly on top of the peanut butter layer.
- Bake Bars: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to set the topping.
- Cool Bars: Allow the bars to cool on the countertop for 30 minutes, then transfer them to the fridge for another 30 minutes to firm up completely.
- Serve: Once cooled and set, cut the bars into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is fully melted for easier mixing with brown sugar.
- Use non-stick baking paper or lightly grease the dish to prevent sticking.
- You can substitute creamy peanut butter with natural peanut butter for a healthier option.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For a crunchier texture, consider adding chopped nuts or seeds to the oat mixture.
Keywords: peanut butter oatmeal bars, peanut butter bars, oatmeal snacks, healthy bars, baked oatmeal, peanut butter dessert
