4-Ingredient Banana Oat Bars
Soft and chewy Banana Oat Bars made with ripe bananas, peanut butter, oats, and chocolate chips. High in fiber and protein, naturally sweet, and perfect for breakfast, snack, or meal prep
Equipment
- 1 mixing bowl (medium)
- 1 9-inch square baking pan
- Parchment paper (to line pan)
- Cooking spray or a small amount of oil
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas ≈4 large bananas
- ¾ cup natural peanut butter or almond/cashew/sunflower seed butter
- 2¾ cups old-fashioned rolled oats gluten-free if needed
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts, seeds, or dried fruit
Optional Flavor Boosters:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped nuts
Optional Protein Boosters:
- ½ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder add ¼ cup almond milk if using protein powder for moisture
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the paper overhangs on two sides for easy removal later. Lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray or brush a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Proper preparation of the pan ensures your bars will lift out cleanly and hold their shape once baked.
- Mash the Bananas: Peel 4 large, ripe bananas and place them in a large mixing bowl. Use a fork or potato masher to mash them thoroughly until smooth, ensuring there are no large lumps. Measure out exactly 2 cups of mashed banana, packing lightly into a measuring cup for accuracy. Ripe bananas will provide natural sweetness and moisture, forming the base of these healthy bars.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add ¾ cup of natural peanut butter to the mashed bananas. If desired, stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor. Then, add 2¾ cups of old-fashioned rolled oats and ½ cup of dark chocolate chips. For optional protein boosts, include ½ cup hemp seeds or ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (adding ¼ cup almond milk if using protein powder to maintain moisture). Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix all ingredients until evenly combined, forming a thick, uniform batter.
- Transfer to Baking Pan: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. .Using the back of the spatula or your hands, press the mixture down evenly, smoothing the surface so the bars will bake uniformly.If desired, sprinkle additional chocolate chips, nuts, or seeds on top for added texture and visual appeal. Properly pressing the mixture ensures the bars hold together after baking and slicing.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30–40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are firm. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out mostly clean with only a few moist crumbs attached. Baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so monitor closely to avoid overbaking.
- Cool in the Pan: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for about 15 minutes. Use the overhanging parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let the bars cool completely for 2–3 hours. Cooling is essential to set the bars fully, making them easier to slice and handle without crumbling.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into 12 even squares or rectangles. Serve them as a healthy breakfast, snack, or post-workout bite. These bars pair wonderfully with fresh fruit, yogurt, or a glass of milk for a complete meal.
- Optional Customizations: For variety, swap chocolate chips with chopped nuts, shredded coconut, dried cranberries, or seeds. Adjust sweetness with a drizzle of maple syrup or honey if desired. You can also experiment with different nut butters to suit your taste preferences, such as almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and moisture.
- Natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oil works best; almond, cashew, or sunflower seed butter are good alternatives.
- Measure oats accurately and do not overmix; overmixing can make bars dense.
- For added protein, incorporate vanilla protein powder or hemp seeds, adjusting moisture with almond milk if necessary.
- Allow bars to cool completely before slicing to ensure they hold together.
- Optional chocolate chips, nuts, or seeds can be added on top for extra flavor and texture.
- Bars can be frozen in individual portions for convenient grab-and-go snacks.