Description
Delicious and wholesome Banana Oatmeal Bars made with ripe bananas, oats, natural nut butter, and a touch of honey or maple syrup. These bars are perfect for a nutritious snack or a quick breakfast, featuring a blend of cinnamon and vanilla for added flavor, with optional nuts and chocolate chips or dried fruit for extra texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
Add-Ins
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch (20×20 cm) baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, mashed bananas, honey or maple syrup, peanut butter or almond butter, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add Mix-ins: Fold in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips or dried fruit if using, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
- Spread Batter: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon to create a uniform layer.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set and firm to the touch.
- Cool: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool completely in the pan, allowing the bars to firm up.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, cut the baked mixture into bars of desired size and serve as a nutritious snack or breakfast option.
Notes
- You can substitute honey with maple syrup to keep the bars vegan.
- Use almond butter instead of peanut butter for a different nutty flavor or if you have peanut allergies.
- Adding chocolate chips will increase sugar content slightly but enhances taste.
- For gluten-free option, ensure the oats are certified gluten-free.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can also be frozen for up to a month—wrap tightly and thaw before serving.