Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

I love making these easy banana peanut butter oat bars that blend ripe bananas with natural peanut butter and hearty rolled oats. A hint of vanilla and a drizzle of honey combine with optional crunchy peanuts or chocolate chips, offering a satisfying mix of flavors and textures to intrigue anyone.

I’m excited to share my newest creation: Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars. I discovered these bars while trying to whip up something new for busy mornings, and they turned out just perfect.

I mashed 2 ripe bananas until smooth, mixed that with 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, and added 2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats for that hearty texture. A sweet touch of 1/3 cup honey, 1 beaten large egg, and a splash of vanilla extract bring everything together.

To give it the right lift, I included 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda along with a pinch of salt. Sometimes, I toss in a bit of extra crunch by adding 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or even some chocolate chips.

This recipe is a modern twist on classic banana nut breakfast bars and its simplicity makes it a quick, satisfying breakfast that keeps you feeling energized throughout the day. I highly recommend it.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe cause it’s super simple to make even when I don’t feel like spending too much time in the kitchen. I really love how the ripe bananas mix with the natural peanut butter to create a sweet and salty flavor that reminds me of my favorite treats. Another thing is the texture; the bars come out soft on the inside but get a nice crunch if I add extra peanuts, which makes every bite interesting. Lastly, I feel good about eating them cause they’re made with wholesome ingredients like old-fashioned oats and real honey, so it’s not just a yummy snack but kinda healthy too.

Ingredients

• Bananas: rich in carbohydrates and potassium, they add natural sweetness and a soft, smooth texture.
• Peanut Butter: offers healthy fats and protein, giving a nutty flavor and creamy consistency.
• Rolled Oats: full of fiber and carbohydrates, they help keep you full and add a hearty bite.
• Honey: a natural sweetener containing antioxidants, balancing out the flavors with gentle sweetness.
• Egg: provides extra protein and helps bind the ingredients, creating a firm yet tender bar.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances the overall aroma and rounds off the flavors in a subtle way.
• Baking Soda: helps the bars rise and adds a lighter texture.
• Salt: a pinch boosts flavor and balances the overall taste.

Ingredient Quantities

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed until smooth
• 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• A pinch of salt
• Optional: 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or chocolate chips if you want a bit of crunch

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mash 2 ripe bananas until they are really smooth, then stir in 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, 1 large lightly beaten egg, 1/3 cup honey or maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

3. Mix the wet ingredients well until they are combined.

4. Now add in 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until just combined.

5. If you want a bit of crunch, fold in about 1/4 cup chopped peanuts or chocolate chips.

6. Spread the mixture evenly in your prepared baking pan.

7. Bake it in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until the bars are golden brown and feel firm when you press on them.

8. Take the pan out of the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes.

9. Once slightly cooled, transfer the bars to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before cutting.

10. Cut into bars and enjoy your treat!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven preheated to 350°F
2. 8×8-inch baking pan or parchment paper
3. Large mixing bowl
4. Fork or potato masher for mashing bananas
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Whisk or sturdy spoon for mixing
7. Spatula for spreading the mix evenly
8. Cooling rack for letting the bars cool completely
9. Knife for cutting the bars into pieces

FAQ

Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have natural peanut butter, you can use almond or cashew butter instead.
• You can swap honey or maple syrup out for agave syrup or brown rice syrup, they work just fine.
• Worried about the egg? Try mixing one tablespoon of chia seeds or flaxseed with three tablespoons water for a vegan substitute.
• If you dont have old-fashioned rolled oats, you could use quick oats, though the texture might change slightly.
• You can also use mashed cooked sweet potato instead of banana; it gives a different flavor but is worth a try.

Pro Tips

1. When mashin the bananas, really try to get em as smooth as possible so the bars stick together better later on.

2. If you’re addin extra stuff like chocolate chips or chopped peanuts, be careful not to overmix the batter, cuz that can mess up the texture and make it a bit crumbly.

3. Keep an eye on the baking time if you change the pan size or even if your oven runs a little hot, since a few minutes off can change how firm the bars get.

4. Let the bars cool completely before cuttin them, even if it’s temptin to dig in right away, coz they firm up more and cut cleaner.