½cuphoney(or ¼ cup honey & ¼ cup maple syrup, see notes)
2tbspchia seeds
2tbspflax seeds
4tbsphemp hearts
½ - 1tspcinnamon(adjust amount by preference)
35gprotein powder(optional, see notes)
1pinchsalt
Instructions
If desired, blend 1/2 cup of the oatmeal into oat flour. Or, partially blend the full 1 ½ cups so that you have a mixture of course flour and some partial oat pieces.
Combine in a heat-proof bowl: oatmeal, oat flour, seeds, cinnamon, salt, and any additional ingredients. Mix to evenly distribute.
Combine the peanut butter, honey, and maple syrup (if using) in a saucepan (non-stick preferred).
Heat on medium heat, stirring often, until fully combined and runny enough to easily pour. This should take just a few minutes.
Pour peanut butter mixture over remaining ingredients, and stir to combine. It will become the consistency of a very thick cookie dough.
Transfer to a small cookie sheet and press out to desired shape/thickness. I recommend lining the cookie sheet with parchment paper, and also putting a piece of parchment on top of the bars so you can press them into shape without the bars sticking to your hands or utensil.
Place in fridge for at least 1 hour to cool before cutting into bars.
Store in a sealed bag or container in the fridge for up to 10 days.
If they are too chewy straight out of the fridge, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before enjoying.
Notes
Other optional ingredient:
Protein powder
Walnuts or other nuts
Dried fruit (bananas, apples...)
Other spices like Chinese 5 spice, nutmeg, ginger
Chocolate chips. Save out to add on top - they will melt if mixed in with the rest of the ingredients! Sprinkle them on the bars after they are pressed into shape, and then gently press them into the top of the bars.
To add protein powder - mix in up to one scoop (35g) protein powder into the dry ingredients. See what you think of that taste/texture, and then adjust up or down in subsequent batches.Nutrition information included in this recipe reflects 35g of protein powder included in the bars.If you don't have seeds, don't worry! I add them because I like the nutrition content they bring. But you can leave them out, or add whatever you have instead (other seeds, chopped nuts, etc). I suspect these bars would be equally delicious with just sweetener, peanut butter, and oatmeal. And I'm guessing those are ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!