Gluten Free Peanut Butter Oat Fudge Bars

This gluten-free peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars recipe makes a generous pan of rich, chewy dessert bars, making it a great choice for potlucks, parties, family gatherings, bake sales, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing gluten-free treat. The bars have a soft oatmeal cookie-style base, a creamy chocolate peanut butter fudge layer, and tender pieces of dough scattered over the top. They are gooey, fudgy, and satisfying, and they taste so good that most people will never guess they are gluten-free.

If you have ever heard of revel bars, this recipe is very similar. Revel bars are classic oatmeal fudge bars with a thick chocolate filling layered between oat cookie dough. This version adds peanut butter to the chocolate filling for an extra creamy texture and a deeper, more indulgent flavor. If you already love revel bars, you can think of these as gluten-free peanut butter revel bars.

The combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and oats is simple but incredibly comforting. The oatmeal dough gives the bars a chewy, buttery structure, while the filling stays soft and fudgy even after baking. Because this recipe is made in a large jelly roll pan, it yields plenty of bars for sharing. It is also easy to cut the bars smaller for a dessert tray or larger for a more substantial treat.

These gluten-free oatmeal fudge bars are made with pantry-friendly ingredients. You will need certified gluten-free oats, a reliable gluten-free flour blend, brown sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla, chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and creamy peanut butter. The recipe comes together in three main steps: mixing the oatmeal dough, melting the chocolate peanut butter filling, and layering everything in the pan before baking.

Notes on ingredients for these gluten-free oatmeal peanut butter chocolate bars:

• Certified gluten-free oats: Use oats that are clearly certified gluten-free. Oats are often at risk for cross-contact, so certification matters. Rolled oats work best for a hearty, chewy texture.
• Gluten-free flour: Choose a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Avoid blends that contain bean flours or blends that are mostly rice flour, as they can create a gritty texture or an unpleasant flavor.
• Xanthan gum: If your gluten-free flour blend already contains xanthan gum or guar gum, omit the xanthan gum listed in the recipe.
• Peanut butter: Use a creamy, salted peanut butter that is not too oily. A standard creamy peanut butter blends smoothly into the chocolate filling. If you need a peanut-free version and can tolerate almonds, almond butter may be used as an equal substitute.
• Chocolate: Semi-sweet chocolate chips give the filling a balanced sweetness, but you can use your favorite chocolate chips if you prefer a slightly different flavor.

You’ll need a 15×10-inch jelly roll baking pan for this recipe. A pan with a lid is especially useful if you plan to transport the bars or store them without the topping sticking to plastic wrap or foil.

When assembling the bars, press about two-thirds of the oatmeal dough into the bottom of the pan. Spread the warm chocolate peanut butter filling evenly over the dough, then drop small spoonfuls of the remaining dough across the top. The filling will still look moist when the bars come out of the oven, which is exactly what helps keep the center soft and fudgy after cooling.

Let the bars cool completely before cutting so the fudge layer has time to set. Store the finished gluten-free peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. They also freeze well. For lunchbox treats, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a larger freezer-safe bag. Add a frozen wrapped bar to a lunch in the morning, and it should thaw by lunchtime.

These bars are rich, easy to serve, and perfect for anyone who enjoys the classic flavor of chocolate and peanut butter. Make them for your next gathering, or keep a batch on hand for a homemade gluten-free dessert everyone can enjoy.

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Oatmeal Fudge Bars Recipe:

Yield: 32-36 bars

Gluten-free Peanut Butter Revel Bars

These gluten-free peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars are chewy, chocolatey, and rich, with a creamy peanut butter fudge center. The recipe makes a large pan, so it is ideal for sharing at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
25 minutes

Total Time
45 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups certified gluten-free rolled oats
• 2 1/2 cups good gluten-free all-purpose flour*
• 1 1/4 tsp. xanthan gum* (see note)
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup butter or non-dairy alternative
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°. Use an ungreased 15×10-inch jelly roll pan.
2. In a medium or large bowl, stir together the certified gluten-free oats, gluten-free all-purpose flour, xanthan gum, baking soda, and salt.
3. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined.
4. With the mixer on low speed, add the oat and flour mixture. Mix until the dough is fully combined, then set it aside.
5. In a medium saucepan, combine the chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and peanut butter. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring often, until the chocolate and peanut butter have melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.

To assemble bars:

1. Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the ungreased 15×10-inch jelly roll pan. To make pressing easier, lightly wet your fingers or use plastic wrap sprayed with a little cooking spray.
2. Spread the warm chocolate peanut butter filling evenly over the dough layer.
3. Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to drop small portions of the remaining dough over the chocolate layer.
4. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes. The chocolate layer will still look moist when the bars are done.
5. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Cut into squares and serve.
7. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze individual bars for easy lunchbox treats.

Notes

*Use a good-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Avoid blends with bean flours or blends that are mainly rice flour, as they may create a gritty texture or strong flavor.

*If your gluten-free flour blend already contains xanthan gum or guar gum, omit the xanthan gum listed in the ingredients.

For the best texture, allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. The fudge layer needs time to set after baking.

Save this gluten-free peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars recipe for the next time you need an easy dessert that feeds a crowd.

These gluten-free revel bars are a delicious choice when you want a homemade dessert with chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, and a rich chocolate fudge layer.

I hope you and your family enjoy these peanut butter oatmeal fudge bars as much as we do.