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Decadent Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 367 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings 1x

Description

These Decadent Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars combine the hearty goodness of rolled oats with creamy peanut butter and a touch of sweetness from maple syrup and brown sugar. With a soft baked base, a rich peanut butter layer, and a crumbly oat topping, these bars are perfect for a satisfying snack or dessert that you’ll crave daily.

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

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 175°C (350°F) to ensure it’s ready for baking the bars.
  2. Prepare the baking dish: Line a 20 x 20cm (8 x 8 inch) baking dish with non-stick baking paper for easy removal and cleanup.
  3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, rolled oats, sea salt, and baking soda thoroughly.
  4. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, melt the butter and mix it with brown sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and homogeneous.
  5. Combine mixtures: Mix the contents of the dry and wet ingredient bowls until you have an even dough.
  6. Form the base layer: Press about ¾ of the mixture firmly into the lined baking dish, keeping about 100g (½ cup) of mixture aside for the topping.
  7. Bake the base: Bake the base layer in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to set it partially.
  8. Prepare peanut butter layer: Blend the peanut butter and maple syrup together in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
  9. Apply peanut butter layer: Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over the baked base to create a rich middle layer.
  10. Add topping: Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over the peanut butter layer to form the topping.
  11. Bake again: Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the topping is golden and set.
  12. Cool the bars: Allow the bars to cool on your countertop for 30 minutes to firm up.
  13. Chill the bars: Transfer the bars to the fridge for another 30 minutes to get a perfect texture for cutting.
  14. Serve: Cut into 16 squares once completely cooled and chilled, then enjoy your delicious peanut butter oatmeal bars.

Notes

  • Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth spreadable layer; crunchy peanut butter can be used but will change texture.
  • Ensure the butter is melted but not hot when mixing with sugar to avoid cooking the sugar.
  • Pressing the base firmly helps it hold together after baking.
  • Allowing the bars to cool and chill properly makes cutting easier and results in cleaner squares.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: peanut butter bars, oatmeal bars, baked snack bars, peanut butter dessert, easy bar recipe

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/decadent-peanut-butter-oatmeal-bars-recipe/