No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are made with a buttery oat base and a chocolate peanut butter inside. The chocolate peanut butter mixture is nestled in between two layers of the buttery oat bars, with more chocolate drizzled on top. It’s a simple 5 ingredient no bake recipe that comes together within minutes.

These fudgy No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars are very easy to make! No bake allows it to become the perfect summer treat!
For more simple oat based recipes, try 4 ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies, Blueberry Crumble Bars, or Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins.
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Why this recipe works
- No bake – perfect for summer!
- Easy – this recipe is only 5 ingredients and takes 10 minutes to put together!
- Grab & Go – make it ahead of time as a snack on the way out the door.
- Chocolate – the chocolate peanut butter mixture is sandwiched in between the buttery oat base, helping everything stick together!
Key Ingredients
Full recipe and ingredients are in the recipe card below. Feel free to scroll through this section to view the five ingredients we’re using!
Butter – Unsalted. This is going to be melted.
Brown sugar – I used golden yellow, but dark brown works as well.
Chocolate chips – Semi-sweet are recommended, dark works as well if you’d like a more bitter filling. Milk or white would be too sweet.
Peanut butter – Creamy must be used.
Oats – Quick oats were used. Rolled oats work as well.

Step by Step Instructions
Here is a more detailed step-by-step than the recipe card. Scroll down for a full recipe video and measurements.
Step 1 – Line and grease an 8×8 square pan with foil or parchment paper.
Step 2 – Melt chocolate chips and creamy peanut butter in the microwave or using the double boiler method. Set aside.

Step 3 – Melt butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s melted together, stir in the vanilla and oats.

Step 4 – Turn the stove onto low, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the mixture is well combined. Make sure to stir constantly or else it’ll burn! This step is crucial so check out my tips section down below if needed.
Step 5 – Press half of the oatmeal mixture into the prepared square pan and press down firmly with a greased spatula.
Step 6 – Pour 3/4 of the chocolate peanut butter mixture on top and gently spread around.
Step 7 – Sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Make sure the entire top is covered. Drizzle with remaining chocolate/peanut butter.


Step 8 – Place into the refrigerator to chill until completely set. 2-3 hours, or overnight. Slice and enjoy! Keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 5 days, or in the fridge for up to 10 days.

Expert Baking Tips
Here are four awesome baking tips from my kitchen to yours
When cooking the oat mixture, make sure to stir constantly.
Pour the chocolate peanut butter mixture all over the pan, for easier gentle spreading.
You will know the oat mixture is ready when you press it down in the saucepan and it is sticking/coming together.
When layering, gently spread the chocolate mixture so you don’t disturb the base! You may also pick up the pan and tilt it around.
FAQ
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! Double the ingredients in a 9×13″ pan.
My oatmeal mixture burned when I cooked it. What happened?
This is due to the mixture not being constantly mixed and stirred while it’s cooking. The bottom of the oats will burn if you leave it untouched while it’s on the stovetop. I used a spatula.
My bars are crumbly. Why?
Ensure you are using quick or rolled oats. If you did and the bars are still falling apart, this means that the oatmeal mixture was cooked for too long or the temperature was to high. Next time, decrease the cooking time and/or lower the temperature.

Check out these recipes
- Strawberry Chocolate Chunk Brownies
- Easter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Mini Egg No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
- Blueberry Muffin Cookies
PS : Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you enjoyed this recipe! Let’s stay connected on Instagram @sweettreatsyt. To get more recipes follow me on TikTok @sweettreatsyt!

No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp vanilla optional
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup peanut butter creamy
Instructions
- Line an 8×8" square baking dish with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease if it's foil, set aside.
- Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a microwave or on a stovetop using the double boiler method and set aside.1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter
- Melt butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan together over medium heat.1 cup butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar
- Turn the heat down to low. Stir in vanilla. Add in oats. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly2 tsp vanilla, 3 cups quick oats
- Press half of the oatmeal mixture into the prepared dish and press down firmly.
- Add 3/4's of the chocolate peanut butter mixture and gently spread it on top. Make sure not to disrupt the base.
- Gently sprinkle the remaining oat mixture on top and press it into place. Make sure the entire top is covered with the oat mixture.
- Drizzle the remaining chocolate peanut butter mixture on top.
- Set in the fridge to cool for 2-3 hours, or overnight, until the chocolate has completely set. Slice & enjoy!
Can I do it with regular oat? Would I need to bake it or it bakes in the saucepan?
Yes this works. No, this is a no bake recipe!
Did you really mean 1 cube of butter? Made these as listed in the recipe and they are EXTREMELY buttery, like puddles of butter.
Hi Tina! Yes. This recipe calls for 1 cup (227g) of butter. Perhaps the mixture was not cooked long enough over the heat so it wasn’t absorbed properly, or the oats were different than what I used? I’m sorry to hear this!
What can you use instead of peanut butter? I am allergic to all nuts
Hi Heather! So sorry for the late reply. The only substitute I can think of is SunButter. As long as it has the same consistency it should work though!
Delicious, so very rich. Thank you.
It really is! Thank you Jody for the comment!
I made these per the recipe yesterday and they disappeared! Today I made a double batch to take to a dinner tonight. They’re easy to make and super yummy!
I’m so glad to hear that Sandi! They never last more than a day in my house haha. Enjoy the dinner!! Thanks for the sweet comment 🙂
Can these bars be frozen?
Hi Kathryn! Yes they can. Individually wrap each one and store in an airtight container for up to 2 months 🙂 Remove from freezer at least 1 hour before serving.
If I double the recipe do you think that work work in a 13×9 pan?
Yes! 🙂
Thank you! Sorry I saw the answer in your post after I sent my question to you.
These look so good. The unbelievable thing is that I’m not a fan of chocolate. I can hear a collective gasp. Can I just heat the peanut butter to melty stage & spread it on? I use an organic natural peanut butter.I could possibly sprinkle some mini chocolate chips on top.just wonder if there has to be all that chocolate?
Hi Jenni! I’m not sure if natural peanut butter is a good idea since we’re not baking this and the consistency of natural peanut butter won’t set the bars at room temperature. You can definitely add less chocolate, but once again it does act like a ‘glue’ and help keep them together! So I can’t guarantee they will slice and hold well (delicious though, I can) 😉 I hope this helps!