Description
These easy, no-bake cookie bars are the perfect stress-free dessert for summer parties. They require zero oven time, survive the heat, and combine chewy oats, salty peanut butter, and sweet chocolate for a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
- 3 cups (270g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup (128g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (255g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup mini marshmallows (optional)
- Sea salt flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and milk. Place over medium-high heat and stir constantly until the butter melts and the mixture comes to a rolling boil.
- Once at a rolling boil, start a timer and boil for exactly 1 minute. Do not overboil.
- Remove the pan from heat immediately. Add the peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring vigorously until the peanut butter is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Add the oats to the peanut butter mixture and stir until every oat is coated. If using, fold in the mini marshmallows.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Wet your hands with water or use parchment paper to press the mixture down evenly and firmly into the pan.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between intervals, until smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the oat mixture and spread evenly to the edges.
- If using, sprinkle sea salt flakes on top. Let the bars cool at room temperature for at least 1 hour, or until the chocolate is completely set.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 24 squares or rectangles.
Notes
Do not boil the sugar mixture for more than 1 minute, or the bars will become hard. Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats, for the best texture. If using natural peanut butter, ensure it is well-stirred before measuring. These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 80
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: no-bake cookies, summer dessert, backyard party recipe, peanut butter bars, chocolate oat bars, easy dessert, make-ahead dessert