Banana Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips Recipe
These Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack perfect for breakfast or a quick energy boost. Made with mashed bananas, rolled oats, nut butter, and sweetened naturally with maple syrup, these bars offer a chewy, flavorful treat with a touch of cinnamon and chocolate chips for extra indulgence. Easy to prepare and bake, they are great for meal prepping and can be enjoyed on the go.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1½ cups mashed bananas (approx. 3 bananas)
- ½ cup nut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix mashed bananas, nut butter, rolled oats, cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup, chocolate chips, and salt until well combined.
- Transfer and Flatten: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to flatten it into an even layer, pressing down so the mixture holds together well. Optionally, sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges turn golden and the bars are set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, lift out the parchment paper and cut into 16 bars for serving.
Notes
- You can substitute nut butter with sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
- For vegan variation, ensure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- The bars keep well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Feel free to add nuts, dried fruit, or seeds for added texture and nutrients.
