Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
These Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are warm, chewy, and packed with comforting flavors of banana and peanut butter. Perfect for a snack, dessert, or breakfast on-the-go.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas about 1 to 1 1/4 cups mashed
- 1 cup natural peanut butter smooth or slightly chunky; can swap for almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup use maple syrup to keep it vegan
- 2 large eggs or flax eggs for vegan option: 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed + 6 tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats old-fashioned; pulse half through a food processor for a heartier texture
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour or oat flour for gluten-free option
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional, for warmth
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts optional for an indulgent finish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out easily.
- In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth with a fork. Stir in the peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, eggs (or flax eggs), and vanilla until glossy and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. The oats should smell slightly nutty when stirred.
Baking
- Add the dry mixture to the wet bowl and fold until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if using — the batter will be thick and spoonable.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges turn golden and a toothpick in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a rack (about 30 minutes) before lifting them out and slicing into squares.
Notes
For a dog-friendly treat, see canine dessert ideas like peanut butter dog cake. They can be made nut-free using sunflower seed butter. Store cooled bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days or refrigerate for a week. Can freeze individual bars for up to 3 months.