These peanut butter oatmeal bars are a delicious mix of chocolate and peanut butter that will make your mouth water. They’re easy to make, great for meal prep, and satisfy that chocolate craving.
There’s nothing better than that chocolate peanut butter combination. These are perfect for school lunches, family events, or even a grab and go breakfast. Plus, all you need is a short chunk of time and pantry staples.
This recipe is also gluten-free so that those with gluten allergies or intolerances can enjoy it too. As someone who’s been baking/cooking gluten-free since 2008, I can promise you I know a thing or two!
One of the best things about this recipe is the creamy peanut butter. If you’re a peanut butter lover like me, you’ll love these bars and these peanut butter reindeer cookies. These protein balls are also packed with peanut butter but have less sugar for a healthy snack.
Another great thing about this recipe is that it’s made with oatmeal which is good for your overall health. My baked oatmeal bars are another oatmeal recipe that makes a great option for breakfast.
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Why this recipe
- They’re easy to meal prep and store
- Made with simple ingredients you probably have at home
- They have a yummy chocolate layer
- A cost effective homemade granola bars the kids will love
- They’re an easy snack or the perfect treat
- An excellent source of whole grains
- Made without corn syrup
What you’ll need
For the bars:
- Butter – Unsalted butter works best but use whatever you have on hand.
- Sugar – You’ll need brown sugar and white sugar for this recipe. A one to one ratio of brown and white sugar gives baked goods the perfect crumbly texture.
- Eggs
- Vanilla – To keep this recipe gluten-free, make sure to use gluten-free vanilla extract.
- Peanut butter – You can use natural peanut butter for a healthier version or classic peanut butter.
- Flour – A combination of gluten-free all purpose flour and almond flour gives these peanut butter bars their flawless texture.
- Baking soda
- Oatmeal – Old fashioned rolled oats work much better than quick oats or instant oats. Be sure your old-fashioned oats are certified gluten free as well.
For the frosting:
- Peanut butter frosting – This peanut butter frosting recipe is one of my favorites and you can make it in minutes.
- Chocolate chips – Milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips work best depending on you sweetness preference.
- Butter – For the chocolate drizzle, you can sub butter for coconut oil if necessary.
How to make peanut butter oatmeal bars
Step 1: Mix wet ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar in a stand mixer before adding the eggs and vanilla. Once all wet ingredients are mixed well, combine peanut butter.
Step 2: Add dry ingredients
Add flour, almond flour, salt, and baking soda to the peanut butter mixture. Mix until just combined, then stir in the oats.
Step 3: Bake
Add the batter to a prepared 10×14 baking dish and bake peanut butter oatmeal bars at 350 for 20 minutes.
Step 4: Cool and frost
Let the peanut butter bars cool for at least 20 minutes before adding peanut butter frosting. Melt chocolate chips and butter in a microwave-safe bowl in intervals until melted, then drizzle on top of the bars.
Step 5: Cut, and serve
Cut bars after chocolate has hardened. Top with sea salt before serving!
Pro tip: Add pan to the fridge or freezer to speed up the cooling process.
Tips and FAQs
- Use parchment paper – Spraying your pan with nonstick spray will prevent most of the batter from sticking, but for the best result, use parchment paper. It makes it easier to remove the peanut butter cookie bars from the pan for cutting.
- Plastic knife over silverware – For easy cutting, you can use a plastic butter knife rather than silverware to cut baked goods. Peanut butter bars (or brownies, cake, etc) doesn’t stick to plastic like it does a regular knife. Leaving you with cleaner cuts and less dishes.
- Crunchy or creamy peanut butter? – This is completely up to your personal preference but I think that creamy peanut butter blends better than crunchy. In addition, all natural peanut butter is runnier than normal peanut butter which is easier to mix.
Storage and freezing
Storing – Make sure the bars cool to room temperature before placing in the fridge. Keep them in an airtight container, ziplock bag, or plastic wrap with parchment paper between the bars to preserve freshness. You can also store them on the counter for up to 3 days.
Freezing – Again, make sure your bars are cooled before freezing. Freeze for up to 3 months in a tight, sealed, ziplock bag.
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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Bars
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla
- 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups certified gluten-free oats
Frosting
- peanut butter frosting
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Using a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars
- Add eggs and vanilla and mix well
- Blend in peanut butter
- Combine remaining dry ingredients except oats and mix them into the cream mixture a little at a time
- Add the oats and blend well
- Spread into a large greased 10×14 baking pan
- Bake for 20 minutes
- Let cool 20 minutes or so
- Spread peanut butter frosting on top of peanut butter bars
- To prepare chocolate frosting, melt the butter and chocolate chips together then drizzle on top of peanut butter frosting. Using a butter knife cut the peanut butter and chocolate frosting frosting to make a decorative pattern
- Let bars cool completely before cutting
Notes
- Use parchment paper – Spraying your pan with nonstick spray will prevent most of the batter from sticking, but for the best result, use parchment paper. It makes it easier to remove the peanut butter cookie bars from the pan for cutting.
- Plastic knife over silverware – For easy cutting, you can use a plastic butter knife rather than silverware to cut baked goods. Peanut butter bars (or brownies, cake, etc) doesn’t stick to plastic like it does a regular knife. Leaving you with cleaner cuts and less dishes.
- Crunchy or creamy peanut butter? – This is completely up to your personal preference but I think that creamy peanut butter blends better than crunchy. In addition, all natural peanut butter is runnier than normal peanut butter which is easier to mix.
Nutrition
This post was originally posted on June 15, 2017. It has been updated on January 13, 2023 with new information and tips. Here is the original photo from the post and our cookbook, Gluten-Free on a Budget.
Sydney Wynne says
This is my dads favorite dessert to make for the family on special occasions. Its always so cute how proud he is to make it for all of us. Its a great recipe and a family favorite 🙂