Soft & Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares

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If you’re craving something rich, chocolatey, and irresistibly fudgy—but want to keep it wholesome and nourishing—these Soft & Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares are exactly what your day needs. Made with simple, real ingredients like peanut butter, cocoa powder, oats, and Greek yogurt, these bars deliver decadent flavor without the guilt.

They’re naturally sweetened, packed with fiber, and baked to perfection with melty chocolate chips in every square. Whether you’re in the mood for a better-for-you dessert, a snack that fuels your energy, or a cozy baked good with a fudgy bite, this recipe is going to be your new favorite.

Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Squares

✅ Soft, Fudgy Texture

Thanks to the blend of peanut butter, Greek yogurt, and cocoa powder, the result is a chewy, soft center that feels like a brownie crossed with a chocolate bar.

✅ Naturally Sweet

These bars are sweetened with honey or maple syrup—no refined sugar needed. The bananas and chocolate chips add extra natural sweetness.

✅ Made with Wholesome Ingredients

There’s no butter, no white flour, and no heavy cream. Just clean, real-food ingredients that taste indulgent and still support your health goals.

✅ Quick and Easy

One bowl. Minimal prep. No special tools. You’ll have these in the oven in under 10 minutes.

Ingredient Breakdown & Health Benefits

Let’s take a closer look at the powerhouse ingredients that make this recipe both tasty and nourishing:

🥜 Peanut Butter

A great source of plant-based protein and healthy fats, peanut butter brings richness and structure to the bars while keeping you full longer.

🍫 Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

This adds deep, intense chocolate flavor with zero sugar. It’s packed with antioxidants and mood-boosting compounds like theobromine.

🍯 Honey or Maple Syrup

These natural sweeteners provide subtle sweetness without spikes in blood sugar like refined sugars.

🧁 Greek Yogurt

Not only does Greek yogurt add protein, but it also ensures these squares stay soft and fudgy inside. It’s a nutritious substitute for butter or oil.

🌾 Rolled Oats & Oat Flour

These whole-grain ingredients create structure, provide fiber, and give the squares that perfect balance of chew and softness.

🍫 Chocolate Chips

Optional—but recommended! Chocolate chips add melty bursts of indulgence and richness that take the texture to the next level.

Soft & Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares – Full Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter

  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 cup rolled oats

  • 1/2 cup oat flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven
Set oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang on the sides for easy removal.

2. Mix wet ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), cocoa powder, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth and fully blended.

3. Add dry ingredients
Stir in rolled oats, oat flour, baking soda, and chocolate chips (if using). Mix until a thick batter forms. The batter will be dense—this helps create the fudgy texture.

4. Bake
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm and the center is just set (don’t overbake!).

5. Cool and slice
Let cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before lifting out and slicing into squares. They’ll firm up as they cool, but the centers will remain soft and fudgy.

Customization Ideas

Want to switch it up? Here are some simple variations:

  • Nut-Free: Use sunflower seed butter or tahini instead of peanut butter.

  • Vegan Option: Use a plant-based yogurt and maple syrup, and ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free.

  • Extra Protein: Add a scoop of protein powder (reduce oat flour slightly).

  • Add Crunch: Stir in chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts.

  • Top It Off: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips, flaky salt, or crushed almonds on top before baking.

Storage & Freezing

These bars are great for make-ahead snacking and storing:

  • Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

  • Fridge: Keeps fresh and fudgy for up to 6–7 days.

  • Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave for 10–15 seconds.

Nutritional Info (Per Square – Approximate, based on 9 servings)

  • Calories: 190

  • Protein: 6g

  • Carbs: 18g

  • Sugar: 7g

  • Fiber: 3g

  • Fat: 10g

  • Saturated Fat: 2g

These squares offer a smart balance of protein, complex carbs, and healthy fats—making them perfect for a pre-workout snack, healthy dessert, or mid-day pick-me-up.

When to Enjoy These Squares

  • ☕ With your morning coffee

  • 💪 As a pre/post-workout treat

  • 🎒 In your lunchbox or your kids’

  • 🧁 As a healthy dessert after dinner

  • 🍫 Whenever you crave chocolate without the crash

Final Thoughts

These Soft & Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Squares are the kind of recipe you make once—and keep making again and again. They’re quick, clean, and deliver all the gooey richness of brownies without the sugar overload.

Whether you’re meal prepping, baking for friends, or just treating yourself, this wholesome take on a fudgy favorite is sure to satisfy. So grab your mixing bowl and get baking—your kitchen (and your sweet tooth) will thank you.

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