These healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars taste just like Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies and are easy to make with just 8 ingredients.
Recipe introduction
These Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars are the perfect healthy snack for the whole family.
Made with just 8 ingredients and minimal effort, these bars are perfect for when you want something sweet that’s quick and easy to prepare.
Here is the recipe Gluten-free, vegan, low added sugar, refined sugar-free and made with wholesome ingredients Such as rolled oats, peanut butter, bananas and maple syrup.
They have one Delicious crispy exterior and soft, gooey interiorYes, they’re naturally sweetened with banana and maple syrup and they’re sweetened Tastes like a peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookie! What not to love?
Gather your ingredients, Try them out and be sure to let me know what you think!
What you will need
- Banana: You will need a medium-sized ripe, lightly-stained banana. You can substitute applesauce or pumpkin puree, but the bars will be less sweet.
- Nut butter: Use natural peanut butter. You can substitute peanut butter or sunflower seed butter to make it nut-free.
- Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup or substitute agave syrup.
- Vanilla: Artificial or pure vanilla extract is better.
- Oats: Use old-fashioned oats (rolled oats).
- Job’s: You can use store bought oat flour or homemade oat flour. If you are making your own oat flour, make sure it is finely milled.
- Baking soda: You try baking sodaNot baking powder.
- cinnamon: Technically optional but always a nice addition!
- Chocolate chip: You can use any dairy-free chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips like Enjoy Life or Camino. Chopped dark chocolate will also work.
How to Make (with Pictures)
Step 1: Prepare to Bake
Prepare to bake by preheating the oven to 350 F and either spraying an 8×8-inch pan with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper.
I would suggest parchment to make the bars easier to lift from the pan and slice.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, mash the bananas to a paste with a fork then add the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla. Blend until completely smooth.
Step 3: Add the dry ingredients
Add the oats, oat flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and mix to combine, then stir in the chocolate chips.
Step 4: Bake the bar
Spread the mixture into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula, wooden spoon or even your fingers. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top – Optional but recommended!
Don’t smooth the top completely, just make sure it spreads evenly around the pan. Leaving some texture on top will help crisp them up.
Bake your bars at 350 F for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
You must not check with a toothpick. The bars should be fairly firm and crisp on top, and golden brown around the edges when they’re done.
Step 5: Cool and slice
Once out of the oven, let cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes before slicing. This helps ensure the bars hold together.
Don’t skip chilling or they may get too mushy and fall apart. I would recommend chilling for at least 30 minutes if not allowing them to cool completely.
Frequently Asked Questions
no You can make it with almond butter, cashew butter, tahini or sunflower seed butter.
Use tahini or sunflower seed butter if you need to go nut-free.
This recipe is gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free certified oats and oat flour.
These bars are vegan (egg-free and dairy-free) as long as you use dairy-free chocolate chips or dark chocolate.
The top and edges of the bars are crispy and the inside is soft, gooey and very tasty. The perfect combo!
How to save
- Let them do it Cool completely before storing.
- fridge: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week
- the freezer: Freeze bars by wrapping tightly in pans or slices and transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container and store for up to 3 months.
Have you tried this recipe?
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I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review and be sure to tag me @runningonrealfood if you post it on social media.
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description
These Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars are super easy to make and just as delicious as Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies. Made with 8 simple ingredients in one bowl – you’ll love these delicious and healthy bars!
- Preheat oven to 350˚F (177˚C) and coat an 8×8 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- Mix the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the bananas to a smooth paste using a fork or immersion blender. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients: Combine old fashioned oats, oat flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and mix into a thick dough.
- Stir in chocolate chips.
- Bake Bars: Transfer the dough to the prepared 8×8 inch pan and use a spatula, wooden spoon, or your fingers to press it into an even layer. You don’t want to completely smooth them over, just be sure to spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired. Bake at 350˚F (177˚F) for 16-18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool, then slice: Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This helps ensure the bars stay together. I recommend letting them cool completely.
Comment
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 174
- Sugar: 8 grams
- Sodium: 221 mg
- Fat: 10 grams
- Sugars: 17 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 5 grams