Banana Oatmeal Bars

These Banana Oatmeal Bars are the ultimate solution for a quick, healthy snack or a portable breakfast that feels like a treat. Made with just four simple ingredients, they offer a soft and chewy texture that is naturally sweetened and incredibly easy to customize. Whether you need a grab-and-go morning meal or a wholesome dessert, these bars are a perfect addition to your weekly meal prep.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There is so much to love about these Banana Oatmeal Bars. First, they are extremely versatile, catering to various dietary needs as they are naturally vegan, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Because they rely on the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, you can feel good about serving them to kids or enjoying them as a guilt-free late-night snack. Plus, the preparation takes less than ten minutes, making it one of the most efficient recipes in your healthy baking repertoire.

Ingredients

• 3 large ripe bananas (approximately 1 ½ cups mashed)
• ½ cup creamy almond butter (or peanut butter)
• 2 cups rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if necessary)
• 1 cup chocolate chips (dairy-free for a vegan version)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt (optional)
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9-inch by 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or a potato masher until they are creamy and most of the large chunks are gone.
3. Add the creamy almond butter to the mashed bananas. Stir them together until the mixture is well-combined and forms a thick, smooth consistency.
4. Pour in the rolled oats and the chocolate chips. If you are using any optional additions like cinnamon, vanilla, or nuts, add them now. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, smoothing out the top.
6. Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 18 to 25 minutes. You will know they are done when the edges are lightly golden-brown and the center feels set.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This is crucial for ensuring they hold their shape when sliced.

Expert Tips / Pro Tips

To get the best results with your Banana Oatmeal Bars, use bananas that are very ripe—the ones with plenty of brown spots. These provide the most sweetness and the best moisture for the bars. If you prefer a cleaner cut, place the pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes after they have cooled to room temperature before slicing. For those who enjoy a bit of texture, old-fashioned rolled oats are superior to quick oats, as they provide a heartier, chewier bite.

Variations & Substitutions

These bars are a blank canvas for your favorite flavors. If you have a nut allergy, you can easily substitute the almond butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini. For a different flavor profile, swap the chocolate chips for raisins, dried cranberries, or blueberries. If you want to boost the protein content, you can stir in a tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseeds without significantly altering the texture.

Serving Suggestions

While these Banana Oatmeal Bars are fantastic on their own, you can elevate them by serving them warm with a small dollop of Greek yogurt or a drizzle of extra nut butter. They also pair perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up. If you are serving them as a dessert, try topping a warm bar with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.

Storage, Freezing & Reheating

Because these bars are dairy-free, they can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 days. For longer-term storage, keep them in the refrigerator for up to one week. These bars also freeze exceptionally well; simply wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, pop a bar in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Note: Nutrition facts are calculated without chocolate chips. With chocolate chips, each slice is approximately 176 calories and 12 grams of sugar.

Banana Oatmeal Bars

These Banana Oatmeal Bars are the ultimate solution for a quick, healthy snack or a portable breakfast that feels like a treat. Made with just four simple ingredients, they offer a soft and chewy texture that is naturally sweetened and incredibly easy to customize.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 9 bars

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Calories: 139

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 3 large ripe bananas approx. 1 ½ cups mashed
• 1/2 cup creamy almond butter or peanut butter
• 2 cups rolled oats certified gluten-free if necessary
• 1 cup chocolate chips dairy-free for a vegan version
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract optional
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon optional
• 1/4 tsp sea salt optional
• 2/3 cup walnuts or pecans chopped, optional

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9-inch by 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or a potato masher until they are creamy and most of the large chunks are gone.
   3 large ripe bananas
3. Add the creamy almond butter to the mashed bananas. Stir them together until the mixture is well-combined and forms a thick, smooth consistency.
   1/2 cup creamy almond butter
4. Pour in the rolled oats and the chocolate chips. If you are using any optional additions like cinnamon, vanilla, or nuts, add them now. Stir until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
   2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 2/3 cup walnuts or pecans
5. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer, smoothing out the top.
6. Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 18 to 25 minutes. You will know they are done when the edges are lightly golden-brown and the center feels set.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. This is crucial for ensuring they hold their shape when sliced.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best natural sweetness and moisture. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing to ensure they hold their shape.

FAQ