Introduction

Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious treat perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack. Made with simple ingredients like bananas, oats, and nut butter, these bars are naturally sweet and packed with flavor.

The image shows several square bars of oatmeal chocolate chip baked treats on parchment paper. Each bar has one textured layer made of golden-brown oats with melted dark chocolate chips scattered and partially sunk into the surface. The oats are large and rough, while the melted chocolate is smooth and glossy. The bars look soft and moist with some slightly darker, caramelized spots. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1½ cups mashed bananas (approx. 3 bananas)
½ cup nut butter
2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 cup chocolate chips
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix well until smooth.
Step 3: Add the rolled oats, cinnamon, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir until everything is fully incorporated.
Step 4: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the mixture.
Step 5: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Press down gently with a spatula to compress the mixture.
Step 6: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.

Tips & Variations

For added crunch, mix in chopped nuts or seeds.
Swap the chocolate chips for dried fruit like raisins or cranberries for a different flavor.
Use almond or peanut butter according to your preference or dietary needs.
If you prefer sweeter bars, increase maple syrup slightly, but keep in mind the natural sweetness from bananas.

Storage

Store the banana oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat refrigerated bars briefly in the microwave for a warm treat.

How to Serve

The image shows several oat and chocolate chip bars placed close together on brown parchment paper. Each bar has a rough, textured surface with visible oat flakes that are light golden brown. Dark, melted chocolate chips are scattered throughout the bars, partially sunk into the oat layer, adding dark brown spots of gooey texture. The bars appear soft and chewy with some slightly crisp edges. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?

Yes, quick oats can be used but the texture may be softer and less chewy than when using rolled oats.

Are these bars gluten-free?

They can be gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.

Healthy Banana Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 67 reviews

These Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome, naturally sweetened snack perfect for breakfast or an energy boost during the day. Combining ripe mashed bananas, nut butter, and rolled oats, these bars are flavored with cinnamon and vanilla, lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and studded with chocolate chips for a touch of indulgence. They are easy to make, require no baking, and are ideal for on-the-go nutrition.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including chilling time)
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Category: Snack
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1½ cups mashed bananas (approx. 3 ripe bananas)
½ cup nut butter (such as peanut butter or almond butter)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons maple syrup

Dry Ingredients

2 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt

Add-ins

1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly until smooth. Add the nut butter, vanilla extract, and maple syrup, mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly distributed.
Mix Wet and Dry Components: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Add Chocolate Chips: Fold the chocolate chips into the batter evenly, ensuring they are well incorporated but not melted.
Press Mixture into Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer the batter and press it down firmly and evenly into the pan to create a uniform layer.
Chill to Set: Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so the bars can firm up. This step is critical since these bars do not require baking.
Slice and Serve: Once set, remove from the refrigerator and lift the bars out using the parchment paper. Cut into squares or rectangles as desired and serve. Store extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

You can substitute nut butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
If you prefer, add nuts or seeds for extra texture and nutrition.
For vegan-friendly bars, ensure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.
These bars keep well for up to 5 days refrigerated and can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best natural sweetness and texture.

Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, no bake bars, healthy snack, vegan bars, chocolate chip bars, easy breakfast bars