Dessert

Chewy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

ByEthan Lark December 25, 2025December 25, 2025

Introduction

These chewy peanut butter oatmeal bars are a delightful treat that combines rich peanut butter, sweet condensed milk, and colorful candy-coated chocolate buttons. Perfect for a snack or dessert, they’re easy to make and wonderfully satisfying.

Two square, thick cookie bars are stacked on a white plate resting on a light gray cloth over a white marbled surface. Each bar has three visible layers: a firm golden-brown crust at the bottom, a chewy middle layer with bits of nuts and oats in a beige color, and a crunchy crumbly layer on top with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces in red, blue, green, yellow, and orange scattered all over. The overall texture looks soft with a crumbly top and a dense middle. A small bowl of similar colorful candies and a baking tray with more bars are blurred in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3/4 cup Jif® Extra Crunchy Peanut Butter
Nonstick Cooking Spray, as needed
1 cup Brown Sugar
3/4 cup Butter
2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
1 1/2 cups Quick Cooking Oats
1 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup Candy Coated Chocolate Buttons

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 13 x 9-inch baking pan by coating it with nonstick cooking spray, or line it with butter or parchment paper.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract on medium speed until the mixture becomes fluffy.
Step 3: Stir in the quick cooking oats, baking soda, and salt until a dough forms. Set aside 1 cup of this dough for the topping, then press the remaining dough evenly into the prepared pan to form the crust.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the dough crust in the pan.
Step 5: Crumble the reserved dough over the peanut butter layer, then sprinkle the candy-coated chocolate buttons evenly on top.
Step 6: Bake for 34 to 36 minutes, or until the bars turn golden brown. Allow them to cool completely before cutting into squares and enjoying.

Tips & Variations

Use creamy peanut butter if you prefer a smoother texture without crunch.
Swap candy-coated chocolates for chocolate chips or chopped nuts for a different flavor.
For extra softness, slightly underbake the bars by a minute or two.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat slightly in the microwave if you prefer them warm before serving.

How to Serve

This image shows two stacked square dessert bars on a white plate over a light gray cloth. Each bar has three visible layers: a light brown crumbly base, a middle chewy layer with pieces of nuts, and a top layer scattered with colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces in red, yellow, blue, green, and brown. The bars have a textured look with nuts visible in the middle layer. The background is a wooden surface with a blurred baking tray and a small glass bowl filled with more candy pieces. The overall tone is warm and cozy. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use old-fashioned oats instead of quick cooking oats?

Yes, but the texture will be chewier and less uniform. You may want to pulse old-fashioned oats briefly in a food processor to achieve a finer texture closer to quick oats.

Do I have to use sweetened condensed milk?

Sweetened condensed milk adds moisture and sweetness that’s key to these bars. Using a substitute may affect texture and flavor, so it’s best to stick with it for the best results.