Aunt Betty swore by this 3 ingredient miracle whenever she needed a quick cookout treat. I never believed it could be this easy until I watched my family devour the whole pan.

There are some recipes that hardly seem like recipes at all, just a little bit of pantry wisdom passed from one good cook to the next, and these peanut butter oat bars are exactly that kind of treasure.

Around here, a simple pan of sweet, chewy bars has saved many a church supper, picnic table, and last-minute family cookout, and with only peanut butter, maple syrup, and rolled oats, they come together with the kind of practical ease Midwestern kitchens have always prized.

These bars are mighty fine on their own with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee, but they also fit right in beside a spread of cookout favorites like grilled burgers, baked beans, fresh fruit, or a bowl of vanilla ice cream for dessert.

Peanut butter oat bars served with coffee on a simple dessert plate

If you are packing them along for a picnic or potluck, they travel well and make a sturdy little sweet to round out a plate.

3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Oat Bars

Servings: 12 bars

Ingredients

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 cups rolled oats

Directions

1. Line an 8-inch square baking dish or small casserole dish with parchment paper, or lightly grease it if you prefer, and set it aside.

Prepared glass baking dish lined with parchment

2. In a medium saucepan over low heat, stir together the peanut butter and maple syrup until smooth, warm, and fully combined.

Peanut butter and maple syrup melting together in a saucepan

3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rolled oats until every bit is well coated and the mixture is thick and sticky.