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Make these peanut butter oatmeal bars in minutes, and with basic pantry ingredients. They are crunchy around the edges, and so soft in the middle. Perfect!
When my kids were growing up, the best time of the day for me was when they arrived home from school. Like most families, we had a routine. I’d look in their book bags, take care of their lunch boxes, and then we would have something to eat. I wish I had known about these peanut butter oatmeal bars back then, because they are the perfect after-school snack. They’re very quick, super easy, and kids love them!
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Ingredients
- Butter: makes these bars so moist and boosts flavor.
- White Sugar: adds the perfect amount of sweetness.
- Brown Sugar: adds a bit of richness and texture.
- Vanilla: enhances all the flavors. Use pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste.
- Egg: a necessary binder.
- Peanut Butter: what kind you use is totally a personal choice. Use your favorite brand, creamy or chunky.
- Oatmeal: make sure to use old fashioned oats and not instant. Do not use rolled oats.
- Flour: holds all the ingredients together and produces the batter.
- Baking Soda: puffs up the bars.
- Salt: helps with moistness and balance.
How To Make
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, egg, and peanut butter.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oatmeal, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients (the oat mixture) to the butter/sugar mixture, making sure to scrape the sides.
- Put batter in 8 x 8 inch prepared pan. Spread to the sides.
- Bake 25 min.
- Optional: Immediately after removing from oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Variations
I bet if you walked in your kitchen right now you would have everything you need to whip up these tasty bars. This peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe uses very basic ingredients with no surprises. (My kind of recipe!)
- Substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier version.
- Swap out the all-purpose flour with almond flour for a delicious gluten-free dessert. (Make sure to use oatmeal and peanut butter brands that are specifically labeled “gluten-free.”)
- It will alter the taste a little bit, but an equal amount of maple syrup or honey can be substituted for the brown sugar.
- For a lower fat version, replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce.
- Instead of sprinkling chocolate chips on top of the baked bars, melt them first in the microwave and drizzle the chocolate.
- Delicious substitutes for the semi-sweet chocolate chip topping are butterscotch chips or sea salt caramel chips.
The best thing about these bars is that in the middle, they are moist and chewy, but along the edges, they are crisp and crunchy. If stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these peanut butter oatmeal bars will keep for up to three days. I can pretty much guarantee that they won’t last that long!
How To Freeze
Cut the completely cooled bars into whatever size you prefer. Layer them in between parchment or wax paper. Use a resealable freezer bag or a freezer safe container, and place them in the freezer. Don’t forget to mark the date. The bars will keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
More Tips
- Make sure to prepare your baking dish with cooking spray, or line the bottom with parchment paper. I always use Baker’s Joy and it works beautifully.
- Spread the peanut butter oatmeal batter to the sides of the pan, in an even layer.
- Other interesting add-ins: raisins, dried cranberries, peanuts, or shredded coconut.
- This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9 x 13 inch pan.
What Readers Are Saying
“Thanks for this recipe. I made a pan yesterday and they are fantastic – they’re chewy and delicious. They taste like they’re good for you due to the oatmeal. Definitely a keeper that I will make again and again.”
~Jeannine
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt omit if you use salted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, egg, and peanut butter.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oatmeal, flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients (the oat mixture) to the butter/sugar mixture, making sure to scrape the sides.
- Put batter in 8 x 8 prepared pan. Spread to the sides.
- Bake 25 min.
- Optional: Immediately after removing from oven, sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Notes
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you
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WOW!!! So simple, and so very delicious! I doubled the recipe, subbing wheat and almond flours for white flour. Always mindful of my glucose level, I used Splenda white and brown sugars. (And I was a little generous with the vanilla!) The flavor is incredible, and I’ll pop most of them in the freezer for convenient snacking later on! Thanks for the recipe, I’ll be making these again!
So glad you liked the bars, and I’m happy you were able to personalize the recipe for yourself. And thank you for the rating as well. It means so much and is very helpful. Enjoy the bars!
Love that this recipe has all the ingredients most people have on hand!
These bars were Absolutely delicious!
Definitely a recipe I will make again and again.
Ann, I know we will love this! Have you ever tried putting the chocolate chips in the mix before baking? Just wondering if that would work…thanks for all your wonderful recipes.
Whipped up in minutes. This was easy. And an A++ Yummy recipe. Definitely will make again and again. This is going into the Gann recipe box. Love you Ann!
I immediately printed the recipe. You’re right, I have all the ingredients already. I plan to bake them tomorrow. I’ll leave a recipe rating after. They look delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Karen B.
Another great recipe! Thanks, Ann, for sharing with us!
I added some peanut butter chips & milk chocolate chips to the batter. Yum!!!
Thank you for the rating!
Would the recipe be okay if I double it? Would a 9×13 inch pan work? How long would I bake it?
Thank you!
Hi Paula…yes it works great to double the recipe and bake in a 9×13. Start with 30 minutes and then add time in 5 minute increments until the bars are done. I’m not totally sure how long they will take so this would be the safest method. Enjoy!
I can’t wait to try this! If it is as good as your blueberry coffee cake it will be a hit. Thank you
Yummy!!! I will definitely be making this again!! Thanks for the great recipe!
Thank you for the rating!
These bars were excellent! So easy to whip together for a quick dessert. Thank you!!
Loved this so much. Definitely going to be a regular in my home. Thank you
Thank you for your comment and the rating. I really appreciate it!
Made these bars last week. Love them. The only change I made was after taking them out of the oven, I covered the top with milk chocolate chips, let them melt, them spread it around like a frosting. Delicious!
Easy and delicious. We enjoyed!!
I made these and they were a HIT!
Thank you for the recipe.
Sue Ellen
Super good. Thank you for this recipe.
Look really good! Will definitely be making this
The recipe makes me drool! Yummy, thanks for sharing.
Already have plans to make these for a family get together next week – thanks for sharing the recipe!
Your recipe for the peanut butter oatmeal bars sounds yummy! I’m going to make them tomorrow!! Thank you for the recipe!!
I love anything peanut butter and these bars look amazing! Thank you for sharing!
These look so yummy! I’ve already printed out the recipe and can’t wait to try them! Love your blog and your style!
I love it when there’s a recipe using things I already have in the pantry. This peanut butter bar is going to be a hit with my hubby.
These look like a perfect summer treat!
These sound yummy. I will have to try them for a quick tasty out the door breakfast bar.
These look fabulously yummy! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
My first time on this site and wow I am a winner already. I needed a dessert recipe to take to a July 4th celebration….. This bar recipe will be perfect!!! Can’t wait to make it for the family….. Thank you Ann
You just can’t go wrong with peanut butter and oatmeal! Can’t wait to try your recipe Ann.
Thanks, Ann, for the recipe – my “grands” loved them!
You always share such yummy recipes! Definitely going to try this one!
These Oatmeal Peanut Butter Bars are awesome!! I have made them twice already.
Thanks for the gluten free version! These look so yummy!
I just made the bars……delicious…..thanks for sharing the recipe 💐
Yay! I’m so glad you liked them. XO
Big hit!! Thank you.
Made these today planning to take them to a party this evening. When my husband tasted them, he told me, “Don’t take them; they probably wouldn’t like them,” as he was licking both his lips and his fingers!
Yummmmy, I DO have all the ingredients in my pantry and am going to make these this week for sure. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Always inspired by your simple approach to cooking, decorating and life in general. We all need easy and more relaxed approach to everything these days. Blessings to you for all the ideas you share!
I’ve made these twice now and they were a big hit both times. And so easy too. Thank you!
Made these for the grands today and they LOVED them! Thank you!
You are a blessing at this time when there is no much negative stuff. May God bless you
every day and encourage you as you encourage me.
Hugs,
Phyllis
Thanks for this recipe. I made a pan yesterday and they are fantastic – they’re chewy and delicious. They taste like they’re good for you due to the oatmeal. Definitely a keeper that I will make again and again.
I just love this blog, and it’s such a treat to see when you’ve posted. Everything is beautiful here.
These oatmeal peanut butter bars were amazing! Thank you for sharing.