Description
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome, chewy, and naturally sweet snack or breakfast option made with simple pantry staples. Combining creamy peanut butter, ripe bananas, and hearty oats, these bars offer a nutritious, protein-packed treat perfect for families and busy mornings.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Mash the Bananas: In a medium bowl, mash together ripe bananas until smooth but still slightly chunky to maintain moisture and texture in the bars.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix thoroughly until fully blended and creamy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients Separately: In another bowl, whisk together rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening and spices.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet banana and peanut butter mixture, stirring gently until just combined without overmixing.
- Transfer and Bake: Pour the batter into your prepared pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before slicing into squares to ensure they hold their shape perfectly when cut.
Notes
- Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better—they add natural sweetness and ideal moisture.
- Don’t Overmix: Stir until just combined to maintain a soft, chewy texture.
- Press Batter Firmly: Packing the mixture evenly into the pan helps the bars hold together well.
- Check Doneness Early: Ovens vary, so start testing a few minutes before the timer to avoid drying out the bars.
- Store Properly: Once cooled, keep bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness and chewiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 9 bars)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg