No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a simple and delicious treat that requires minimal ingredients and effort. Here’s how to make them:

Ingredients:
2 cups of old-fashioned oats
1 cup of peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
1/2 cup of honey or maple syrup
1/4 cup of chocolate chips (optional, for drizzling or mixing in)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
A pinch of salt (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Pan: Line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter and honey (or maple syrup). Microwave the mixture for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until it’s warm and easily stirrable. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Combine with Oats: Add the oats to the peanut butter and honey mixture, stirring until the oats are fully coated. If you want to add chocolate chips directly to the mixture, let it cool slightly before mixing them in to prevent melting.

Press into the Pan: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press the mixture firmly and evenly into the pan.

Add Chocolate Drizzle (Optional): If you'd like a chocolate drizzle, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave in 20-30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until smooth. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the bars.

Chill: Place the baking dish in the refrigerator for about 1-2 hours, or until the bars are firm and set.

Cut and Serve: Once set, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper and cut them into squares or bars.

These No-Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are perfect for a quick snack, breakfast on the go, or a healthy dessert. They’re easy to customize by adding dried fruit, nuts, or seeds to suit your taste.