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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Chewy Bars

These chewy bars are a delightful combination of soft, dense texture with pockets of melty chocolate, achieved by mixing oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips into a sticky batter. Baked until golden around the edges, they boast a rustic, cracked appearance with a rich, peanutty aroma. Perfect for a satisfying, homemade treat that comes together effortlessly.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup peanut butter natural, creamy preferred
  • 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup for vegan version
  • 1/2 cup butter melted (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
  • 1 1/2 cups rolled oats old-fashioned preferred
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup chocolate chips dark or milk

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • 8-inch square pan
  • Spatula
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line your 8-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy lifting.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter, honey, and melted butter until the mixture is smooth and fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. It should feel slightly oily and smell nutty.
  3. Add the rolled oats, vanilla extract, and salt to the wet mixture. Fold everything together with a spatula until the oats are evenly coated and the mixture is thick but still slightly sticky.
  4. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, distributing them throughout the batter. The mixture will be dense with pockets of melted chocolate.
  5. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan. Use the back of the spatula to press the mixture firmly into an even layer, smoothing out the top with gentle pressure. You should hear a slight crunch as you press down.
  6. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the edges are golden and fragrant. The center will be slightly soft but set, with a toasted aroma wafting up.
  7. Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. The bars will firm up slightly as they cool, and the smell of toasted oats and chocolate will intensify.
  8. Transfer the whole block to a wire rack using the parchment overhang. Allow it to cool completely for at least 30 minutes—this helps the bars set and makes slicing easier.
  9. Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment and place on a cutting board. Slice into 12 even squares, revealing the chewy interior with pockets of melted chocolate.
  10. Serve these bars at room temperature, or warm them briefly in the microwave for a gooey, melty treat. Enjoy the imperfect, satisfying crunch and chewy texture with a glass of milk or your favorite beverage.

Notes

For extra texture, stir in chopped nuts or dried fruit before pressing into the pan. Using room temperature peanut butter helps the batter come together smoothly.