Warm, chewy, and naturally sweet, these Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars are an easy, healthy treat you can make in under an hour. Ripe bananas and oats form the base, while peanut butter (or almond butter) adds richness and a tender texture. They smell warmly of cinnamon and baked banana, with edges that turn golden and a soft, cake-like center. These bars work as quick breakfasts, portable snacks, or a lunchbox favorite.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 9 bars
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving — recipe yields 9 bars; values exclude optional chocolate chips or nuts)
- Calories per serving: 130 kcal
- Protein: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fat: 4 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 11 g
- Sodium: 37 mg
Why Make This Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars
These bars are quick, wholesome, and forgiving. They use pantry staples and require almost no hands-on cooking skill. The bananas keep the bars moist and naturally sweet, while oats add a nutty chew and make them filling. They smell comforting as they bake, with warm notes of cinnamon, and they slice into portable bars that are perfect for busy mornings or an afternoon pick-me-up.
How to Make Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars
This recipe is straightforward. Mash bananas, stir in oats and a few simple mix-ins, press into a pan, and bake until golden. The result is soft, slightly dense bars with crisp edges and a tender crumb. Follow the steps below for best results.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or nuts (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it so the bars release easily. Gather and measure all ingredients so the mixing step goes quickly.
Step 2: Mixing
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the rolled oats, honey (or maple syrup), peanut butter (or almond butter), vanilla extract, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until all ingredients are well combined and you have a uniform batter. If you like, fold in the chocolate chips or nuts now.
Step 3: Cooking
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Lift them out using the parchment paper and transfer to a wire rack (if available) to cool completely for easier slicing. Slice into 9 bars once cooled to your preferred size.
How to Serve Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars
Serve warm with a smear of nut butter for a gooey treat, or pair a cooled bar with yogurt and fresh fruit for breakfast. They work well alongside coffee for morning snacks, or wrapped individually for lunchboxes and hikes. The texture is best slightly warm — it intensifies the banana aroma and softens the peanut butter.
How to Store Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars
- At room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- In the refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
- In the freezer: Wrap bars individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or warm briefly in the microwave.
Expert Tips for Perfect Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars
- Use very ripe bananas (lots of brown speckles) for the best sweetness and moisture.
- Mash the bananas well so the oats bind evenly — a few small lumps are fine.
- If your batter seems too wet, add a tablespoon or two of oats. If too dry, add a little extra mashed banana or a splash of milk.
- Press the batter firmly into the pan so the bars hold together after baking.
- Let bars cool before cutting for clean edges. Warm bars will hold together less well.
- For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter and check oats are processed in a nut-free facility.
Delicious Variations
- Chocolate-peanut: Fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips and a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
- Nut-free seed: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter and add 2 tablespoons of ground flax for extra fiber.
- Fruit and spice: Stir in 1/4 cup raisins or chopped dried apricots and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Protein boost: Add 1 scoop (about 20–25 g) of vanilla protein powder and reduce oats by 2–3 tablespoons to keep texture balanced.
- Apple cinnamon: Replace half the banana with 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce and increase cinnamon to 3/4 teaspoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
A: Yes. Quick oats will work but give a softer, less chewy texture. They absorb moisture faster, so check the batter and add a touch more oats if it feels too wet.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Use certified gluten-free rolled oats to avoid cross-contamination. All other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
Q: How ripe should the bananas be?
A: Very ripe is best. Look for bananas with brown spots; they mash easily and provide more sweetness and banana flavor.
Q: Can I skip the peanut butter or use a different binder?
A: You can replace peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. If you omit nut butter entirely, add 2–3 tablespoons of mashed banana or 2 tablespoons of applesauce for moisture and binding.
Q: How can I make these less sweet?
A: Reduce the honey/maple syrup to 2 tablespoons and consider using unsweetened nut butter. Adding a pinch more salt can also balance sweetness.
Q: How do I know when the bars are done baking?
A: They should have golden edges and a slightly firm top. A toothpick in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter.
Q: Can I double this recipe?
A: Yes. Use a 9×13-inch pan and increase bake time slightly—check at 30 minutes and add time as needed until set.
Conclusion
These Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars are a simple, comforting recipe you can customize easily for taste or dietary needs. They bake up soft and fragrant, with a warm banana and cinnamon aroma and a satisfying chew from the oats. For another simple take on banana oatmeal bars and extra inspiration, see 4-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars – The Roasted Root. Give this recipe a try—once you taste the warm, tender bars, you’ll see how handy they are for busy mornings and quick snacks.
Print
Delicious Banana Oatmeal Bars
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Description
Warm, chewy, and naturally sweet, these banana oatmeal bars are an easy, healthy treat perfect for breakfast or snacks.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips or nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. Add the oats, honey, peanut butter, vanilla extract, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Lift them out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing into 9 bars.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness. Adjust ingredients for desired texture and sweetness. The bars are best served warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 37mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
