Easy Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These Easy Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack or breakfast option, combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with creamy peanut butter and hearty oats. Packed with nutritious ingredients like ground flaxseed and chopped nuts, these bars are customizable with chocolate chips or dried fruit for extra flavor. Perfectly moist and naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup, they offer a satisfying and energizing treat that’s quick to prepare and great for on-the-go enjoyment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (natural peanut butter preferred)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free oats if needed)
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed (optional, for added nutrition)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips or dried fruit (optional, for extra sweetness)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the bars.
- Prepare the Wet Mixture: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly until smooth. Add the creamy peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir well to combine all the wet ingredients into a creamy mixture.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, ground flaxseed (if using), chopped nuts, and a pinch of salt. If you want to add mini chocolate chips or dried fruit, mix these in as well.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture bowl and stir until all ingredients are well incorporated, forming a sticky batter.
- Transfer to Baking Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Spread the mixture evenly into the pan and press down firmly using a spatula or your hands to compact the batter.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bars are set and the edges start to turn golden brown.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and slice into squares or rectangles.
- Serve and Store: Enjoy immediately or store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. They also freeze well for longer storage.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Natural peanut butter without added sugar or oils is healthier.
- Gluten-free oats can be used to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Adding ground flaxseed boosts fiber and omega-3s.
- Customize with nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit according to preference.
- Press the mixture firmly in the pan to ensure bars hold together.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.
- Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, peanut butter bars, healthy snack bars, easy baking recipe, gluten-free snack, no refined sugar bars, breakfast bars
