Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (gluten-free flour can be substituted)
– 2 cups old fashioned oats (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
– 1 teaspoon fresh baking soda
– 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
– 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
– 1 cup creamy peanut butter (natural peanut butter not recommended)
– 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 2 large eggs
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (milk or dark chocolate can be used)
– 1 1/2 cups M&M’s, divided (holiday or themed colors can be used)
– Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
1-First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray to avoid any sticking drama.
2-In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, baking soda, and 3/4 teaspoon of the sea salt set that aside for now.
3-Using a stand mixer, cream the butter, peanut butter, and sugars until smooth, which takes about 2 minutes while scraping the sides as needed.
4-Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract; mix until everything combines into a dreamy batter.
5-Then, add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined don’t overmix, or you’ll lose that chewy goodness!
6-Fold in the chocolate chips and 1 cup of M&M’s for those colorful surprises, then spread the mixture evenly into your prepared pan using a spatula.
7-Top it off with the remaining 1/2 cup of M&M’s and pop it in the oven.
8-Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown and set, but remember to avoid overbaking for that soft texture we love.
9-Once out, immediately sprinkle with flaky sea salt, then let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
🍴 Dough can be prepared ahead and chilled up to 48 hours for convenience.
🧈 Use creamy peanut butter for the best texture and flavor.
⏲️ Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar