Easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

A hand holding a bar with a bite taken out of it.

Looking for a quick and easy treat that combines the rich flavor of peanut butter with the hearty texture of oats? Look no further than these delicious Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars. Only 6 ingredients needed and it starts with an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie mix. Thick, chewy, soft-baked, and best of all they're so easy to make.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword easy peanut butter oatmeal bars, oatmeal cookie bars, peanut butter oatmeal bars

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Servings

Calories 221kcal

Author Jessica - Together as Family

Equipment

Ingredients

1 bag (17.5 oz) oatmeal chocolate chip cookie mix
1 cup whole old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
2 large eggs
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
^{* I like to use the pre-cut parchment paper sheets and cut one in half. Place one half horizontally in the pan and the other vertically. There will be a slight overhang for the edges to easily pull the bars out with.}
In the bowl of a stand mixer, or use a mixing bowl, whisk together the dry cookie mix, oats, and chocolate chips until combined.
1 bag (17.5 oz) oatmeal chocolate chip cookie mix, 1 cup whole old-fashioned oats, 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Add in the eggs, peanut butter, and heavy cream.
Use the stand mixer with the paddle attachment, or hand mixer with the mixing bowl, and beat until a thick dough forms. About 1-2 minutes.
2 large eggs, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream
Spread the dough into the prepared pan and press into an even, thick layer.
Bake for 25-35 minutes or until cooked through and the edges are just starting to turn golden brown.
You can also stick a toothpick into the center of the bars and make sure it comes out clean.
Allow the bars to cool inside the warm pan for about 1 hour before cutting into squares and serving.

Notes

Heavy Cream : If you are using anything other than heavy cream (2%, whole milk, half and half) then start with 2 tablespoons and add more if needed. Because heavy cream is so thick and high in fat, you need more of it to bring the dough together. Anything thinner and lower in fat, you will need less.

Chocolate Chips : You can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet, dark chocolate, peanut butter chips, white chips, m&m's, Reese's Pieces, etc.

Peanut Butter : I have never used this recipe with anything other than regular creamy peanut butter (Jif, Skippy, Peter Pan). I've never tried it with the all-natural, no-stir peanut butter varieties. Be careful if using those varieties because they do tend to dry out baked goods. I recommend using regular creamy peanut butter.

Cookie Mix : This is just like a cake mix that includes all the dry ingredients you need to make cookies. Use the dry cookie mix inside the bag and disregard the instructions on the back of the package. Found in the baking aisle. It comes in a bag-like pouch.

Nutrition