Description

Banana Oatmeal Bars are quick, healthy, and delicious snacks made from ripe bananas and wholesome rolled oats. These bars offer natural sweetness, a chewy texture, and the nourishing benefits of fiber and vitamins. Perfect for breakfast on the go, an afternoon energy boost, or a kid-friendly snack, they are simple to make with pantry staples and can be customized with nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, or berries.

Ingredients

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Main Ingredients

2 to 3 ripe bananas, well mashed
2 cups rolled oats
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Optional Add-ins

1/3 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds) or seeds (sunflower or pumpkin seeds)
1/4 cup dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup fresh or dried berries (blueberries or cranberries)
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg or ground ginger
1 scoop protein powder (adjust wet ingredients as needed)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or line a baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy removal of the bars.
Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth. This provides natural sweetness and moisture that binds the bars together.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and any nuts or seeds you plan to use. This ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients.
Mix Wet and Dry Together: Pour honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and the mashed bananas into the oats mixture. Stir gently until combined into a sticky, uniform batter—avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
Bake the Bars: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into squares or rectangles for easy serving and storage.

Notes

Use ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor.
Do not overmix the batter to avoid tough bars; combine oats just until mixed.
Adjust the sweetness by adding less or more honey/maple syrup depending on banana ripeness.
For crunchier texture, lightly toast oats before mixing.
Line your baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make lifting bars easier.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 to 25 minutes
Category: Appetizers
Method: Baking

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 150
Sugar: 8g
Sodium: 35mg
Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 0mg