Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack, combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with hearty rolled oats and creamy nut butter. Enhanced with cinnamon and vanilla for warmth, and studded with chocolate chips, these bars are perfect for a healthy breakfast on-the-go or a satisfying afternoon treat.
- Author: Caleb
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients
- 1½ cups mashed bananas (approx. 3 ripe bananas)
- ½ cup nut butter (such as almond or peanut butter)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mix the mashed bananas, nut butter, rolled oats, cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup, chocolate chips, and salt until well combined into a sticky batter.
- Transfer and Flatten: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and use a spatula to flatten it into an even layer, pressing down to compact the ingredients. Optionally, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top for extra indulgence.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the bars are set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and cut into squares or rectangles for serving.
Notes
- For a nut-free version, replace nut butter with sunflower seed butter.
- Use dark chocolate chips or dairy-free chips to keep the bars vegan.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Add chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- Make sure bananas are ripe for natural sweetness and best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (approx. 1.5 x 2.5 inches)
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, healthy snack, breakfast bars, easy homemade bars, vegan oatmeal bars