No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars with a thick center layer of gooey chocolate and peanut butter and a sweet oatmeal crust. That’s it. That’s what we’re making. Done.

We’ve taken the classic cookie and turned it into a no bake chocolate oatmeal bar – with peanut butter, obviously.

Extreme Goodness Ahead – No Oven Needed.

Is it true that we only get what feels like one week of super hot summer weather here in central Illinois? Yes.

But, like any true Illinoisan, let me tell you – it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity that’ll get ya.

We’re not turning on the oven during the summer, is where I’m going with this. I don’t care if it’s too hot or too humid, it’s too something and that means we’re making these no bake chocolate oat bars when the urge for a simple sweet treat hits.

Do the kids like these? Yeah, but who cares. These are for me, if we’re being perfectly honest.

They take me straight back to childhood with all the flavors of a classic no bake cookie turned into a bar with an extra thick layer of chocolate peanut butter goodness.

♥ Why You’ll Love These Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars:

• Easy: 10 minutes of prep, 6 ingredients, no oven. I don’t think dessert really gets much simpler than that.

• Kid-Friendly: First of all, who cares if the kids like these because these are for YOU. But if you are inclined to share, I can confirm that they’ll be well received by all ages.
• Make Ahead Bake Sale Vibes: Whether you make them in advance and package them up for a bake sale or you just keep a pan of these ready to go in the fridge for when neighbors stop by, they’re nice to have on hand and keep for about a week.

Step by Step:

Add the chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter to a microwave safe bowl and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until it has melted and blended.

Melt the butter in a sauce pan and then stir in the brown sugar, vanilla, and oats. Cook for 3-4 minutes to soften up the oats just a bit.

Sprinkle half of the oatmeal mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 baking dish and use your hands to firmly press it into an even layer.

Pour the melted chocolate and peanut butter over the crust and then sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture and press to form the top layer.

No baking required here! Just cover the dish and refrigerate for 3 hours before cutting and serving these up to hungry friends and family. Or save them for yourself to eat under cover of darkness at 2am when the mood hits.

Freezing & Storage Instructions:

You can keep these no bake chocolate oat bars stored in an airtight container at room temperature for about 5 days. They should last a few more days if you keep them in the fridge.

The oat bars can also be frozen! Either wrap individual bars in plastic and foil or store in a freezer safe container or bag for up to a few months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge.

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