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. - Page 2

4. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared dish, smoothing the top with the back of a spoon or a piece of parchment paper.

Oat bar mixture pressed into a glass casserole dish

5. Chill for 1 to 2 hours until firm, then lift from the dish and cut into squares or bars to serve.

Chilled oat bars being lifted from the pan with parchment

6. For the neatest slices, refrigerate the bars a little longer before cutting, then store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.

Finished peanut butter oat bars cut into squares and plated

Variations & Tips

For a softer bar: If you like a tender, more snack-like bar, do not pack the mixture too tightly into the pan. A gentle press will give you a slightly softer bite.

Soft textured peanut butter oat bars with a tender crumb

For a firmer bar: Press the mixture down very firmly and chill it thoroughly before slicing. That little bit of patience gives you cleaner edges and bars that hold together beautifully for travel.

Firmly packed peanut butter oat bars with clean cut edges

Use old-fashioned oats: Rolled old-fashioned oats give these bars the best hearty texture. Quick oats can work in a pinch, but the bars will be more compact and less pleasantly chewy.

Peanut butter oat bars highlighting hearty rolled oat texture

Pantry note: Natural peanut butter can be used, but be sure it is stirred very well first.

Jar of stirred natural peanut butter beside sliced oat bars

If it is too oily or too dry, the bars may not set as evenly as they do with regular creamy peanut butter.