Description
Delicious and nutritious Banana Oatmeal Bars that are perfect for a quick breakfast or a healthy snack. Made with ripe bananas, oats, and natural sweeteners, these bars are easy to prepare and customizable with chocolate chips or nuts for added texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup milk or dairy free milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth to create a natural sweet base for the bars.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add peanut butter, honey, milk, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and mix well until fully combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt, mixing until everything is evenly incorporated.
- Add Optional Ingredients: Fold in chocolate chips or chopped nuts if desired for extra flavor and texture.
- Prepare for Baking: Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan and gently press it down with a spatula to compact the ingredients.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bars are set and lightly golden on top.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into 9 bars for serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- You can substitute almond butter or sunflower seed butter for peanut butter depending on preference or dietary needs.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These bars can also be frozen for longer storage; thaw before serving.
