This O'Henry Bars recipe is loaded with all the flavors of the classic bar discontinued in 2019. Quick oats combined with peanut butter, chocolate chips, and a handful of other ingredients create a sweet, chewy bar that has everyone coming back for more.
The O'Heny Bar was a bite of classic Americana for many of us growing up. Unfortunately, it was discontinued, and now the only way to enjoy it is at home. Like our Golden Graham S'Mores Bars, we made a homemade version of O'Henry Bars that are so sweet and delicious, you'll have a hard time putting them down.
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Why You’ll Love These O'Henry Bars
- Limited Ingredients: This recipe uses just a few simple pantry staples.
- Easy: This recipe only takes a little mixing and baking. It's ready in about 30 minutes.
- Classic Flavor: This yummy dessert is full of the classic peanut butter and chocolate flavors we love in O'Henry Bars.
- Save for Later: These treats are freezer-friendly, so you can make a big batch and save them for later.
Ingredients
- Quick Oats: Quick oats make the chew base for these bars.
- Light Karo Syrup: Karo Syrup adds a kick of sweetness and helps hold the bars together.
- Chocolate and Peanut Butter: Melted chocolate and peanut butter are mixed to give them their classic O'Henry flavor.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities of each ingredient.
Flavor Variations and Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips: You can use milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate chips to change the flavor of these bars.
- Rolled Oats: Use rolled oats instead of quick oats for chewier bars.
- Chopped Peanuts: Add chopped peanuts for more texture.
How To Make O'Henry Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Using a stand mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar.
- Step 2: Next, add the vanilla extract, and Karo Syrup. Slowly add in the quick oats. Mix well to make sure the oats are completely covered.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove it from the oven. Cool for 20 minutes to allow the base to set up.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring between each one. Once melted, stir in the peanut butter. Spread this mixture over the bars and let them set for about an hour or until the chocolate is firm.
Hint
Microwave the chocolate chips at 25-second intervals to ensure they don't scorch during the process.
Storage
Store in a covered container at room temperature for up to 4 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap them in plastic wrap and freeze them for up to 3 months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag.
Defrost in the refrigerator overnight or on the counter for faster defrosting.
What To Serve With This Oh Henry Bar Recipe
These delicious bars make a quick, grab-and-go breakfast or afternoon snack. You can also make it part of a larger breakfast with other fun hand-held items like sausage cream cheese crescent rolls or sausage egg muffins.
These homemade O'Henry Bars are also a delicious, sweet treat after a meal with classic flavors like smoked meatloaf or Sloppy Joe garlic bread.
Tips
- Thoroughly coat your baking dish with non-stick spray, but be sure it doesn't pool.
- Press the bar mixture firmly into the bottom of the dish so it forms a uniform sheet that won't break apart when you cut it.
- Add the peanut butter to the melted chocolate while it's still hot to make mixing easier.
FAQ
Oh Henry bars were an American candy bar made with peanuts, caramel, and fudge coated in chocolate.
Oh Henry bars were discontinued in 2019. Although, there is still a version of them sold in Canada.
If you don't press the mixture firmly enough into the bottom of the pan, the bars won't meld together well. The loosely packed mixture will then fall apart when it's cut into bars.
More Cookie Bar Recipes
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O'Henry Bars
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter room temperature
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 cups quick oats
- ½ cup Light Karo Syrup
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips milk or semi-sweet
- ⅔ cup peanut butter creamy or chunky
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Spray non-stick cooking spray into a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Cream together butter and granulated sugar using a stand mixer.
- Next, add the vanilla extract, and Karo Syrup. Slowly add in the quick oats. Mix wells.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove it from the oven. Cool for 20 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 25-second intervals, stirring between each one. Once the Chocolate has melted stir in the peanut butter.
- Spread the Chocolate and peanut butter mixture over the top of the bars. Let the bars set for about an hour or until the chocolate has set.
- Serve and Enjoy!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
These take me back to my childhood and are way better than the original.