Description
These Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars are a soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened treat perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Made with wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, peanut butter, oats, and maple syrup, they’re quick to make and kid-friendly. Vegan, gluten-free (if using GF oats), and refined sugar-free, they’re a healthier alternative to traditional snack bars.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats: for structure and chewiness
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon: adds warmth and depth
- 1/4 tsp salt: enhances overall flavor
- 1/2 tsp baking powder: helps the bars rise slightly
- 2 ripe bananas (approx. 1 cup mashed): natural sweetness and moisture
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or runny): adds richness and healthy fats
- 1/3 cup maple syrup: natural sweetener
- 1 tsp vanilla extract: enhances flavor
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips: adds indulgent texture and flavor
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, mash the bananas. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, and stir until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, reserving a few to sprinkle on top.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips on top if desired.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges begin to turn golden brown.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing. Allow to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and texture.
- Don’t overmix the batter to avoid dense bars.
- Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- Cool completely before slicing to prevent the bars from crumbling.
- Can be stored in the fridge for 7 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/15th of the recipe
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 30mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg