Peanut Butter & Berry Oat Bars

These are somewhere between a flapjack and a granola bar. Soft, chewy, and packed with oats, peanut butter, and berries. They require no baking if you use the fridge to set them, but I prefer them baked for a bit of crunch. They travel well, freeze well, and are excellent for mornings when you've forgotten to eat breakfast until 11am.

Ingredients (Makes 8 bars):

• 150g rolled oats
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 3 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 50g dried cranberries or blueberries
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Line a small baking tin with parchment.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Press the mixture firmly into the tin. Smooth the top.
4. Bake for 18–20 minutes until golden at the edges.
5. Cool completely in the tin before slicing. They firm up as they cool.

Why it's gut-friendly: Oats are packed with beta-glucan, a prebiotic fibre. Bananas add potassium. Peanut butter provides protein and healthy fats. Dried berries add antioxidants and fibre.