Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Squares... Need I say more? Chocolate, Peanut Butter... that's all you need to know, right? Oh, and also vegan, gluten-free, made with a bunch of wholesome ingredients, super quick and easy to make. But really, who cares? Peanut butter and chocolaaaaate! Oh yeah, I know!
Line a 9" square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of an overhang on 2 sides and set aside.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the ingredients for the base and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until thoroughly combined. The dough will be quite thick and difficult to stir.
Dump the mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread it loosely across the pan with your fingers, then press it firmly to form an even crust, either with your fingers or with the help of a flat bottomed object. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter and chocolate chips to make the top layer. Place the saucepan over very low heat and as soon as the peanut butter and chocolate start to melt, remove from heat and stir constantly until the chocolate chips have completely melted and the mixture is perfectly smooth. Return the pan to the heat source for a few seconds if and as needed to finish melting all the chocolate chips.
Pour this chocolate mixture over the peanut butter base layer and then spread the chocolate all the way to the sides. If desired, let the chocolate set for a few minutes and when it's thick enough, draw little swirls into it with a spatula.
Place the pan in the refrigerator and let the bars set for at least 1 hour, or until fully hardened.
Remove the bars from the pan and cut into individual squares.
Store the finished squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several weeks.