Oh Henry Bars

Let's take a delicious trip down memory lane with these classic Oh Henry Bars! They're rich, chewy, and everything you loved about the original candy bar.

This recipe isn't an exact replica of the OG. To me, it's even better.

This version starts with a chewy, buttery oat base. On top, you get a thick layer of chocolate and peanut butter that firms up into a fudgy finish. Together, it’s sweet, salty, chocolatey, and downright addictive.

Good luck stopping at just one square.

What is an Oh Henry Bar?

An Oh Henry! bar is a classic candy made with peanuts, caramel, and milk chocolate. It’s known for its chewy, nutty texture and rich, chocolatey coating.

First introduced in 1920 by the Williamson Candy Company, it actually came before Baby Ruth and Snickers. Nestlé took over U.S. distribution in 1984, but after Ferrara Pan bought the rights in 2018, the bar quietly disappeared from shelves.

Enter, this copycat recipe. With an oat base and a chocolatey peanut butter layer on top, it’s not quite the original, but it’s just as good.

Ingredients

For the Base:

• Oats: I prefer quick-cooking oats for a softer, more uniform texture. You can use old-fashioned oats if you want a heartier, chewier base.

• Butter: Use salted butter to add richness and balance out the sweetness.

• Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work. Just note that dark sugar adds a richer molasses flavor and deeper color.

• Light Corn Syrup: Helps bind the oats and keeps the bars chewy. You can substitute honey if you prefer.

For the Topping:

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Feel free to swap in milk or dark chocolate, or even chocolate chunks if that's what you have on hand.

• Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter. It mixes more easily with the chocolate. Avoid natural peanut butter; it doesn’t blend well and will make the topping oily. 

How to Make Oh Henry Bars

This recipe is beginner-friendly and is easy to customize with whatever you have on hand.

1. Prep. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. Make the oat base. Melt butter in a large saucepan. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla. Cook until mixture begins to bubble. Remove from heat and stir in the oats.

3. Bake. Press oat mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan using a spatula or the back of a spoon. Bake for 15 minutes.

4. Prepare the topping. Melt chocolate chips and peanut butter in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between until smooth. 

5. Pour the topping. Immediately pour the mixture over the warm oatmeal base and spread it evenly with a spatula. 

6. Cool and set. Let the bars cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

7. Slice and serve. Slice into squares and enjoy!

Tips and Substitutions

Make it just the way you like it with these tips and ingredient substitutions.

• Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth chocolate ganache topping. Natural peanut butter won’t work as well.

• Wet the spoon. To keep the base from sticking to your spoon while spreading, wet the back of the spoon with a little water.

• Oats swap: Use old-fashioned oats for a heartier texture, though the bars will be slightly more crumbly.

• Corn syrup swap: You can use honey instead.

• Chocolate swap: Dark or milk chocolate works, too. 

• Add chopped peanuts to the topping for a crunchier twist.

• Top with flaky sea salt to cut through the richness and for a prettier presentation.

How to Store and Freeze

To Store: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the fridge for 5. If stacking them up, place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. 

To Freeze: Place the bars in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Let them thaw on the counter for about an hour before serving.