Banana Oatmeal Bars with Chocolate Chips
Banana Oatmeal Bars combine ripe bananas, oats, nut butter, and maple syrup.Cinnamon, vanilla, and chocolate chips add warm, sweet flavor.Mix everything in one bowl and bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas about 3 medium bananas
- 1/2 cup nut butter
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon alcohol-free vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to easily lift out the baked bars.
- Add the mashed bananas and nut butter to a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
- Add the rolled oats, cinnamon, alcohol-free vanilla, maple syrup, chocolate chips, and salt.
- Stir everything together until the oats are evenly coated and the chocolate chips are distributed throughout the mixture.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to press it into a flat, even layer.
- Sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips over the top, if desired.
- Bake the Banana Oatmeal Bars for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center appears set.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely.
- Lift the cooled oatmeal mixture from the pan using the parchment paper. Slice into squares or rectangular bars and serve.
Notes
Peanut butter gives these healthy banana oat bars a familiar peanut-butter-and-banana flavor, while almond or cashew butter provides a milder result.
For a nut-free variation, try sunflower seed butter. Keep in mind that different seed and nut butters can slightly change the texture.
Chopped walnuts, pecans, raisins, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut can replace some of the chocolate chips.