Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars made with only a handful of basic ingredients! Flourless, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, these fudgy, rich cookie bars are reminiscent of fudge brownies with big peanut butter flavor!

Chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars cut into individual squares

If you find joy in chocolate, peanut butter, and/or oats, I have great news for you, my friend!

These easy double chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars are a spectacular combination of these three favorites.

They only require a handful of basic ingredients, most of which you probably keep on hand already.

Plus, you donโ€™t need any fancy equipment like an electric mixer. Just a large mixing bowl and some sort of baking dish (both a square pan or round pan work!).

The concept is similar to my Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars, but with a couple added ingredients to make them extra chocolatey and fudgy. 

These soft cookie bars have a chewy texture and are such an easy dessert recipe.

If youโ€™re a chocolate fiend and love brownies, youโ€™re bound to love this explosion of chocolate delight with big peanut butter undertones. 

You could compare them to brownies, although the texture isnโ€™t as fudgy due to the oats.

Stack of peanut butter chocolate cookie bars, ready to eat.

Letโ€™s discuss the simple ingredients for these double chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars.

Ingredients for Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars:

Creamy Peanut Butter: Any kind of well-stirred peanut butter works here! I use unsweetened natural peanut butter but regular peanut butter works too.

This ingredient takes the place of all purpose flour and butter in the sense that it keeps ingredients held together and provides richness. 

If you use sweetened peanut butter, it wonโ€™t be the end of the world! The bars will just taste even better.

Avocado Oil (or Coconut Oil or Butter): We need to add a little additional fat to the bars to moisten them up a bit. I like using avocado oil because it adds healthy omega 3 fats and doesnโ€™t add any flavor. You can also use melted coconut oil or melted butter.

Pure Maple Syrup: Sweetening the bars with pure maple syrup makes them refined sugar-free and the liquid sweetener also adds to the moisture content of the bars.

The way the recipe is written, the bars are not super sweet. If you prefer very sweet treats, add 1 to 3 tablespoons of brown sugar to the batter.

Eggs: Bringing some rise to the peanut butter bars, we need a couple regular eggs. Flax eggs will likely work as a replacement for a vegan option, although the bars will have a denser consistency.

Vanilla Extract: Although optional, pure vanilla extract brings some warm flavor to this delicious dessert.

Oats: Pick your favorite oats for baking. Rolled oats, old-fashioned oats, quick oats, and instant oats all work. Old-fashioned rolled oats will give you more texture whereas instant oats incorporate into the bars with less of a noticeable texture.

If you need the recipe to be gluten-free, be sure you use certified gluten-free oats. I use gluten-free sprouted oats in all of my recipes that call for oats. 

Cocoa Powder: A good portion of the chocolate flavor can be attributed to cocoa powder. I like using raw cacao powder which has a creamier flavor, but you can use regular unsweetened cocoa powder for a little bitter flavor.

Chocolate Chips: We have chocolate chips to thank for extra chocolate flavor and for fudginess. It is because of the chocolate chips that the texture turns out fudgy so just be aware that the bars will seem a little dry if you skip the chocolate chips.

Ground Cinnamon and Sea Salt: Cinnamon is entirely optional here but I love adding it to my baked goods for a unique nuance. Salt enhances flavors like a champ so be sure you include it!

Looking for ways you can customize this recipe? Here are some ideas.

Recipe Adaptations:

  • Add ยฝ to โ…” cup of chopped walnuts or pecans if you love nutty treats.
  • Replace the peanut butter with almond butter, sunflower seed butter (sunbutter), tahini, or any well-stirred nut or seed butter you love.
  • Use dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips, or sugar-free chocolate chips. For dairy-free, use dairy-free chocolate chips. You can also chop up a chocolate bar or peanut butter cups and add them into this great recipe!
  • If you love dried fruit, dried cranberries or dried cherries are great here.
Pile of double chocolate oatmeal peanut butter cookie bars

Now that weโ€™re experts on the yummy ingredients for this easy recipe, letโ€™s bake!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.

Transfer the eggs, peanut butter, pure maple syrup, avocado oil, and vanilla extract (the wet ingredients) to a mixing bowl and stir well until everything is well-combined.

Note: If your peanut butter has been sitting in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature, microwave it for 30-60 seconds, or until it stirs very easily.

Wet ingredients in a mixing bowl to make double chocolate oatmeal bars.

Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl (oats, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt) and stir until everything is completely combined.

Wet ingredients in a mixing bowl with dry ingredients added on top, ready to mix.

Stir in the chocolate chips. 

Double chocolate peanut butter bar dough in a mixing bowl with chocolate chips on top, ready to be mixed in.

Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. If youโ€™d like, you can sprinkle the top with extra chocolate chips.

Double chocolate oatmeal peanut butter cookie bars in a baking dish.

Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cookie bars have set up. You can sprinkle the oatmeal bars with flaky sea salt if youโ€™d like.

Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Store leftover bars in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze these bars in a zip lock bag or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

If you’re a peanut butter lover looking for a sweet treat, you’ll love the chewy texture of this delicious treat!

Double chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars cut into squares.

Make these chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies on a regular basis whenever those sweet tooth cravings arise!

If you love easy oatmeal dessert recipes like this, also try out these reader favorites!

More Oatmeal Desserts:

Enjoy this double chocolate adventure!

Chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars cut into individual squares

Double Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Bars

4.67 from 21 votes
A handful of ingredients and one bowl results in rich, fudgy, delicious cookie bars that are an incredible celebration of chocolate, oats, and peanut butter! Easy to make and no baking experience needed!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment paper.
  • Transfer the eggs, peanut butter, pure maple syrup, avocado oil, and vanilla extract (the wet ingredients) to a mixing bowl and stir well until everything is well-combined. Note: If your peanut butter has been sitting in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature, microwave it for 30-60 seconds, or until it stirs very easily.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the mixing bowl (oats, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt) and stir until everything is completely combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. If youโ€™d like, you can sprinkle the top with extra chocolate chips.
  • Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the cookie bars have set up. You can sprinkle the oatmeal bars with flaky sea salt if youโ€™d like.
  • Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Notes

*I use unsweetened natural creamy peanut butter but any type of peanut butter will work as long as it is well-stirred. I donโ€™t recommend using a reduced fat peanut butter, as the bars will turn out dry and not as flavorful.
**You can also use melted coconut oil or 4 tablespoons of melted butter.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container or zip lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze these bars in a zip lock bag or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Slice (of 12) ยท Calories: 368kcal ยท Carbohydrates: 40g ยท Protein: 9g ยท Fat: 20g ยท Saturated Fat: 5g ยท Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g ยท Monounsaturated Fat: 2g ยท Cholesterol: 31mg ยท Sodium: 111mg ยท Fiber: 7g ยท Sugar: 23g
Author: Julia Mueller
Course: Desserts & Treats
Cuisine: American
Keyword: double chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars, easy oatmeal recipe, gluten free dessert recipes, gluten-free oats, healthy dessert, healthy dessert bars, healthy dessert recipes, oatmeal cookie bars, peanut butter oatmeal cookie bars
Did You Make This Recipe?I want to see it! Tag @the.roasted.root on social media!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

Julia Mueller
Meet the Author

Julia Mueller

Julia Mueller is a recipe developer, cookbook author, and founder of The Roasted Root. She has authored three bestselling cookbooks, – Paleo Power Powers, Delicious Probiotic Drinks, and The Quintessential Kale Cookbook. Her recipes have been featured in several national publications such as BuzzFeed, Self, Tasty, Country Living, Brit.co, etc.

Read More

Need Help With Dinner?

View More Dinner Ideas
4.67 from 21 votes (20 ratings without comment)

Join The Discussion

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Questions and Reviews

    1. Hi Tammi! Honey works, but I would probably bake the cookies for slightly less time. Honey begins to burn at a lower temperature than pure maple syrup so the cookies will likely brown up more than usual. In addition, you’ll be able to taste the honey. If you’re okay with all of that, I say proceed forth! Let me know if you have any other questions ๐Ÿ™‚ xo

  1. I like the recipe but there is a lot of maple syrup and a lot of peanut butter. I did try to substitute banana for some of the peanut butter and apple purรฉe for some of the maple syrup. I also think this could see some vegetables.

    1. Hi Beverly! Flax eggs should work in this recipe but I haven’t tested it myself. My one concern is sometimes baked goods made with flax eggs can have a sort of “raw” consistency in the center. I don’t think that would actually be too devastating in a bar/brownie recipe like this where a little gooeyness is nice. Let me know if you try it!

  2. Soooo good. Adding to my favorites.

    Used coconut oil instead of avacado and added some white chocolate chips on top.

    This recipe is incredible. The best comfort dessert, sure to cure a bad day.

    1. I’m thrilled you enjoy the recipe and that it helped brighten your day, Baylie! I love the white chocolate chips and coconut oil idea – sounds great! xoxo

    1. Hi Jennifer! Honey works great as a replacement for pure maple syrup as long as you enjoy the flavor ๐Ÿ™‚ My one cautionary note is honey tends to burn at a lower temperature than pure maple syrup so you may need to bake the bars for slightly less time. Hope you enjoy! xo