Fill your kitchen with the aroma of sweet and salty peanut butter banana oatmeal bars. This will make you fall in love with baking again!
Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Just when you thought healthy foods meant bland, boring, or funky aftertaste, these bars come along to shake that thinking up! In fact, one bite and you'll swear they taste way too good to be healthy for you.
Homemade peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are the best way to treat yourself to something sweet. They are made with whole, healthy ingredients (like maple syrup and whole bananas) and are the perfect way to keep you feeling full between meals.
In fact, these bars are so good for you that you can make them a part of your well-balanced lunch.
They are so high in protein and potassium that these bars also make a perfect post-workout recovery snack too. Feel free to throw in some pecans or walnuts for an added crunch!
Plus, they are fantastic for your gut health too! Oatmeal and bananas are high in dietary fiber, which is amazing for digestion and feeding healthy gut bacteria.
If you are allergic or sensitive to peanut butter, any nut butter will do! Just replace the peanut butter with sun butter or cashew butter.
Ingredients Needed for Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
These healthy banana oatmeal bars are made with a base of rolled oats and peanut butter, followed up with some scrumptious cinnamon.
Here’s a bit more about what I used:
- Bananas: Make sure the 3 bananas you use are really ripe so they are easier to completely mash.
- Natural Peanut Butter: Add protein and salty peanut butter flavor with 1 cup of natural peanut butter. Make sure there isn't any sneaky sugar in there. You can also sub almond butter to get the same texture!
- Maple Syrup: To sweeten the bars naturally, add ¼ a cup of real maple syrup.
- Egg: You only need 1 egg to bind the ingredients together and emulsify them.
- Vanilla: Create velvetty vanilla notes in the bars with a teaspoon of real vanilla extract.
- Rolled Oats: 2 cups of rolled oats will fortify the bars with fiber.
- Cinnamon: Add a little spice to the bars with a teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Baking Powder: The teaspoon of baking powder makes the bars lighter and less dense.
- Salt: Add a pinch (¼ teaspoon) of salt to enhance all the other flavors.
- Chocolate Chips: Include ¾ cup of chocolate chips for the obvious reasons - to add more chocolate!
Kitchen Tools Required
If you have ever baked sweet bread or bars before, then you probably already have all the tools you need. This is what I used when I made them.
Gather the following items before you begin:
- 9x9 Baking Dish
- Parchment Paper
- Small Bowl
- Wooden Spoon
- Toothpick
For measuring, you will need the following sized cups and spoons: 1 cup, ¾ cup, ¼ cup, 1 teaspoon, and ¼ teaspoon.
How To Make Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Now that you have all the ingredients and kitchen tools ready, it's time to start baking these amazingly nutritious dessert bars!
First, preheat the oven to 350F. Don't forget to preheat the oven, because it takes the longest. Then, grease and line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
Next, mash the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl. I like to mash the bananas with a potato masher for optimal smoothness. Stir in the peanut butter, maple syrup, egg, and vanilla until it is well combined.
In a small bowl, add the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir them together until they are combined. Add in the chocolate chips and mix it all together.
Pour the batter into a greased baking dish and bake the bars for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cool slightly before cutting them into bars.
Step-by-step Instructions for Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Recipe Tips
Below are some common peanut butter oatmeal bars questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!
Is creamy or crunchy peanut butter best for these bars?
Whether you use creamy or crunchy peanut butter is entirely up to you and your taste buds. Do you like little bits of peanuts in your cookies or dessert bars? Then use crunchy! If you prefer sweet dessert bars that melt in your mouth, then smooth and creamy peanut butter is going to be more your speed.
How do you ripen bananas faster?
The best way to speed up the ripening process is to use a paper bag. Any size bag will do, but I like to use the small kind that people use for lunches. Place the bananas in the paper bag and close it completely.
Keep the bananas in the bag for a day or two. They should soften and ripen up very quickly.
Can I make them into cookies?
Yes, you can easily turn these bars into cookies - the only difference will be the cooking times. Cookies bake faster than bars. I would cut the baking time down to about 10-15 minutes and check them for doneness.
How do you know when peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are fully cooked?
I use a toothpick to check to see if the bars are fully baked. Insert a toothpick into the middle of the bars. If it comes out clean, then they are ready to be pulled out. If there is still batter on the toothpick, let it bake for about 5-10 more minutes.
Is maple syrup healthier than table sugar?
The reason maple syrup is considered healthier than granulated sugar is because it has a lower glycemic index. It isn't a 1:1 replacement either because maple syrup is sweeter than white sugar. You'll use less maple syrup than you would sugar, so you'll consume fewer calories.
Are these oatmeal bars gluten-free?
Yes, these banana oatmeal bars are gluten-free. I did not use any kind of flour in them at all. You can also make them vegan by substituting a flax egg.
Storing leftovers
Store leftover peanut butter oatmeal bars in an airtight container, like a resealable pyrex dish, at room temperature. They will last about a week – if you don’t eat them all first!
These cookies will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months.
If you liked this recipe, you’ll want to try these!
Here are some more of my favorite sweet bars to make. Enjoy!
- Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Bars With Pretzels
- Healthy Cherry Pie Oatmeal Bars
- Peanut Butter Energy Bars
- Healthy Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
- Healthy Cookie Dough Bars
Recipe by Erin Antoniak and Photos by Bake and Bacon
Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease and line with parchment paper a 9x9 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas. Stir in peanut butter, maple syrup, egg and vanilla until well combined.
- In a small bowl, add oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet and stir until combined. Add in chocolate chips and mix.
- Pour into greased baking dish and bake for 28-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let cool before slightly before cutting into.
Britni says
These are delicious! I like that they aren’t made with added sugar. Was so nice to have as an easy breakfast in the morning or a sweet treat throughout the day. I had visitors in town who also really enjoyed them. Can’t wait to make again!
Erin says
Hi Britni, so happy you loved the bars! 🙂
Megan says
Such a simple and delicious recipe, I love these for an on the go breakfast! I’ve made twice now and will definitely be making again
Erin says
Hi Megan, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Katie says
These are incredible! Already making them again 1 week later. Such a yummy snack or breakfast with coffee. Highly recommend!
Erin says
Hi Katie, so glad you love them!! 🙂
Abby says
I have an egg allergy can I make them egg free? I know you can use applesauce can be an egg substitute in baking but can't eat those either.
Linda larsen says
Just made your bars so good 😊 thank for the recipe.. I sprinkled a little sea salt on top ❤️
Erin says
Hi Linda, so happy you enjoyed them and great idea! 🙂
T says
These have quickly become a staple in our home! Kid friendly too!
Erin says
Hi, so happy they're a hit! 🙂
Kerry says
Hi! Just wondering if you have a preferred method for freezing these? Should I wrap individually? Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Kerry, you can wrap individually or just store in a tupperware- completely up to you!!
carly says
made this as part of my weekly meal prep and its fantastic! Perfect level of sweetness, great texture. So nice with a cup of coffee!
Erin says
Hi Carly, so happy you loved them so much! 🙂
Celesta says
Do you have the nutrition facts for these bars? Calories, fat, carbs etc
Erin says
Hi Celesta, yes, the nutrition facts are towards the bottom within the recipe card.
Cherie O. says
Finally found an oat bar I can’t get enough of!
These Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars we’re so good!
Nutritious and delicious! Go make them you won’t be disappointed. My kitchen smelled amazing while these were in the oven. 😋
Erin says
Hi Cherie, so happy you loved them so much!! 🙂
Kellen says
Made these as a freezer snack for family that just had a baby. Delicious!
Erin says
Hi Kellen, such a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Christina says
These came out so tasty! I substituted the peanut butter for a caramel expresso peanut butter and the smell is amazing!
Erin says
Hi Christina, so glad you loved them and made them your own!!
Melissa Donaldson says
These were so good! Do you think they would work as muffins?!
Erin says
Hi Melissa, definitely give it a try and let me know how they come out!!
Luna says
So I've tried this two ways now and I'm reporting my findings to hammer in: USE NATURAL PB!
One way: Honey instead of syrup, a T of peanut butter protein powder, and a generous sprinkle of mixed dried fruit on top: 10/5, SO GOOD, perfect, super filling. I'm making this again, and often, it's a great energetic breakfast.
Other way: used JIF. It was salty, mushy and horrid. So there you go, people, I took the hit for you and tried cheap PB. Doesn't work at all.
Erin says
Hi Luna, thank you so much for sharing!! 🙂
Susan says
I used simply Jif and sprinkled chopped walnuts on top before baking. They were delicious!
Erin says
Hi Susan, so happy you enjoyed them!! 🙂
Sharon Seed says
JIF peanut butter isn't cheap! And they do have a natural variety. I use JIF in baking all the time and never have issues.
Kelli says
We make these multiple times a month! Best way to use up bananas. Can't recommend enough
Erin says
Hi Kelli, so glad you loved them so much! 🙂
Kristin says
Do you think I swap out a can of pumpkin purée for the bananas?? Wondering if I would just keep everything else the same.
Erin says
Hi Kristin, you can try it - won't be as sweet! Let me know how your bars come out!
Karen king says
I was thinking that exact same thing.
Erin says
Hi Karen, feel free to give it a try and let me know how they come out!
Kayla says
SO delicious. I was looking for something different to make with bananas besides my usual muffins. These turned out perfect and are so tasty!
Erin says
Hi Kayla, so happy you loved them!
Tonya Delaune says
Hi. Can you substitute honey for maple syrup? Thanks
Erin says
Hi Tonya, that should work! Let me know how they come out!
Kristina says
It’s hard to pick a favorite ELW recipe but this might just be mine. I make these at least 2x a month. Always have the ingredients on hand. I like that they’re not super sweet. The texture is delish!
Erin says
Hi Kristina, so happy you loved them! 🙂
Kerry says
These are delicious! Great for quick breakfast or snack between meals, very flavorful!
Erin says
Hi Kerry, so glad you loved them! 🙂
Emma says
These are delicious and so easy to make.!
Erin says
Hi Emma, so happy you enjoyed them!! 🙂
Alena says
Made these into cookies and they are phenomenal! Made my house smell great which was an added bonus. I baked for 18 minutes and they came out great!
Erin says
Hi Alena, so glad you liked them and made them work for you!