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These layered peanut butter oat bars are the ultimate treat for anyone who loves peanut butter and chocolate. The combination of sweetened condensed milk, creamy peanut butter, oats, and chocolate chips creates rich, chewy bars with a soft center and crisp edges. Every bite has layers of sweet, nutty, chocolaty goodness.
They’re easy to assemble, bake quickly, and are perfect for parties, potlucks, bake sales, or simply satisfying a sweet craving. Because the layers don’t require precise spreading or shaping, the bars come together beautifully even for beginner bakers.
The bars are portable, too. Pack them in a lunchbox or backpack, or take them on a road trip for a tasty, convenient treat. Bar cookies also make a fantastic addition to a dessert platter with other pastries, pies, and cakes.
What You’ll Like About This Dish
Multiple layers of flavor. Peanut butter, oats, sweetened condensed milk, and chocolate chips create a rich, decadent bar.
Easy to assemble. The dough presses in easily and the filling drizzles over the top.
Great texture. Chewy, crisp, soft, and gooey all in one bite.
Perfect make-ahead treat. Bars slice well and hold up beautifully for parties and gifting.
Ingredient Notes
- Sweetened condensed milk – Creates a rich, caramel-like layer when baked.
- Peanut butter – Creamy peanut butter blends best with the condensed milk.
- Vanilla extract – Enhances the sweetness and flavor of the filling.
- Rolled oats – Quick-cooking oats give the bars structure and chew.
- All-purpose flour – Helps bind the crumbly oat mixture.
- Brown sugar – Adds moisture and caramel flavor.
- Butter – Softened butter mixes smoothly with the oat base.
- Chocolate chips – Semisweet chips balance the sweetness.
- Salt and baking soda – Improve the structure and flavor of the oat layers.
Steps to Make Layered Peanut Butter Oat Bars With Chocolate Chips
- Prepare the baking pan and heat the oven.
- Whisk the sweetened condensed milk with peanut butter and vanilla.
- Mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda.
- Beat the butter until smooth, then mix in the dry ingredients.
- Press two-thirds of the crumb mixture into the pan.
- Drizzle the peanut butter filling over the crust.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the filling.
- Add the remaining crumb mixture over the top.
- Bake until lightly browned.
- Cool completely before slicing into bars.
Tips
- Wet your hands lightly to press the oat mixture into the pan without sticking.
- Drizzle the peanut butter filling rather than spreading to avoid lifting the crust.
- Use parchment paper for easier lifting and slicing after cooling.
- Cool thoroughly so the layers set before cutting.
Recipe Variations
- Peanut butter swirl. Add small dollops of peanut butter on top before baking and swirl gently.
- Nutty version. Add chopped peanuts or pecans to the top layer for crunch.
- Chocolate-forward. Use half chocolate chips and half chocolate chunks.
- Salted version. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt after baking to balance sweetness.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with cold milk or hot coffee for a classic pairing.
- Pair with vanilla ice cream for a dessert-style treat.
- Add them to a holiday cookie tray or bake sale lineup.
- Enjoy as an after-school snack or lunchbox treat.
How to Store
Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The layers stay firm and the flavors meld beautifully.
Freeze: Not recommended; the condensed milk and peanut butter layer can become grainy and separate when thawed.
Layered Peanut Butter Oat Bars With Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- Butter or baking spray, for greasing the pan
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups quick cooking oats, (180 grams)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, (128 grams)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, (213 grams)
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup butter, softened
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, (170 grams)
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or spray it with baking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F.Butter or baking spray
- In a medium bowl, whisk the sweetened condensed milk with the peanut butter and vanilla until smooth and well blended. Set aside.14 ounces sweetened condensed milk | 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter | 1 tsp vanilla extract
- In a separate bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and baking soda. Mix to blend.2 cups quick cooking oats | 1 cup all-purpose flour | 1 cup light brown sugar | 1/2 tsp fine sea salt | 1/2 tsp baking soda
- In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth and creamy. Add the oat mixture and mix until crumbs are formed.3/4 cup butter
- Pat about 2/3 of the oat mixture in the prepared baking pan. It will be sticky, so you might need to wet your hands a few times.
- Drizzle with the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk mixture. The mixture will be thick, but will slowly drizzle. Try to avoid spreading with the spoon at this point as it will lift the oat mixture. When all of the peanut butter mixture is drizzled evenly over the oat crust, wet a spatula and gently spread it over the crust.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the peanut butter and sweetened condensed milk layer.1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the chocolate chips.
- Bake the peanut butter bars until lightly browned, about 20 minutes.
- Remove the bars from the oven and place the pan on a rack. Cool for at least 1 hour before slicing into bars.
Nutrition
Disclaimer:
Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.
