Description
Soft, chewy, and naturally sweet banana oatmeal bars that are perfect for a quick treat, portable breakfast, or wholesome snack for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2–3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (smooth or chunky)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds (optional)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit (optional)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang to make it easy to lift the bars out later.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth using a fork or potato masher.
- Add the peanut butter, honey or maple syrup (if using), cinnamon, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, chia seeds or flaxseeds, and a pinch of salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until everything is evenly combined.
- If you’re adding chocolate chips or dried fruit, fold them into the batter at this stage.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly and press it down firmly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown and set. The edges should start to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Notes
[‘Use ripe bananas with brown spots for natural sweetness.’, ‘Don’t overmix the batter to maintain a soft texture.’, ‘Feel free to customize with add-ins like nuts, seeds, or dried fruit.’, ‘Let the bars cool completely before cutting to avoid crumbling.’, ‘Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 2 months.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, healthy snack, easy dessert, gluten-free, vegan option, kid-friendly, meal prep