Healthy Banana Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips Recipe
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.
- 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
