Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars (4 Ingredients)

Energize your day with simple and healthy 4-ingredient Banana Oat Bars - a delightful combination of ripe bananas, oats, peanut butter, and chocolate chips! Enjoy these delicious bars as a guilt-free dessert, an on-the-go breakfast, or a satisfying snack. 

Let's face it, when there are ripe bananas to use up we all turn to banana bread. These soft-baked banana oatmeal bars are a healthy and delicious alternative for using up those pesky bananas, and they only require four ingredients. 

The healthy bars utilize pantry staples and are entirely adaptable to modifications. They are not only delicious but also packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a great choice for a quick and satisfying energy boost. This healthy banana bar recipe requires few dishes and minimal prep time. 

Enjoy banana oat bars as a low-sugar healthy dessert or a leisurely breakfast. Eat them straight from the fridge, at room temperature, or slightly warmed with a scoop of delicious ice cream. Get ready to fall in love with this easy recipe that's as delicious as it is simple!

Jump to:

• 4-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars
• Ingredients
• Step-By-Step Instructions
• Variations
• Suggested Equipment
• Storage
• Delicious Banana Recipes
• Expert Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

4-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars

• When it comes to a quick breakfast, nothing is better than something that can be made ahead and eaten on the go. Banana oat bars are a great way to consume nutrients and healthy fats while satisfying sweet cravings. 
• Utilizing only four simple ingredients means these bars can be made anytime. 
• Not only do these yummy snack bars use minimal ingredients, but they provide ample nutritional benefits. Wholesome ingredients like oats and bananas provide fiber, natural probiotics, and plant-based protein. 
• The satiating fiber and energizing carbohydrates from the oats and other ingredients make these bars an ideal workout snack. Each bar is under 150 calories with 4g of protein and 2g of fiber.
•  The delicious bars are customizable, so you can tailor them to your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients

• Ripe Bananas: Because of the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, no additional sweetener is needed for these peanut butter oatmeal bars - this means 3g of sugar per serving. The mixture of mashed banana and peanut butter binds the bars without additional fats or ingredients. 
• Creamy Peanut Butter: Use processed, homemade, or natural peanut butter in this recipe. Swap it for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter if desired. 
• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats have a thick, chewy texture ideal for this recipe. The oats soften once baked but retain their desirable chewiness. 
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (or chunks): Peanut butter and banana naturally pair perfectly with chocolate. You can also use peanut butter or white chocolate chips. 

See the recipe card for the ingredient quantities.

Step-By-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. 
2. Mash the bananas in a large bowl. 
3. Add the peanut butter and mix until incorporated. 
4. Mix the oats and chocolate chips until everything is combined. 
5. Transfer the banana-oat mixture to the prepared baking pan and smooth it into an even layer.
6. Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes, until set and golden brown. 

Variations

• Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats. 
• Cinnamon: Mix in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• Sweetener: For a sweeter taste, stir in 1-2 tablespoons of honey or pure maple syrup.
• Sea Salt: Sprinkle banana bars with flaky sea salt for a salty-sweet taste. 
• Vanilla: Mix 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the batter. 
• Mix-Ins: Stir in ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, or raisins. Add one tablespoon of flax seeds or chia seeds.

Suggested Equipment

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Potato Masher
• Rubber Spatula
• Square Baking Dish: 8-inch Square Baking Pan or 9-inch Square Baking Pan

Storage

Store cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. 

Delicious Banana Recipes

• 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
• Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
• Banana Pound Cake Loaf
• Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
• Banana Bread with Self-Rising Flour

Expert Tips

1. Use ripe or overripe bananas. 
2. Use a potato masher to mash the soft bananas easily.
3. Grease or line the baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
4. Bake bars in a preheated oven for even baking time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you make the recipe, remember to rate it, and let me know what you think in the comments below! Take pictures, tag #sugarylogic, and share them with me on Instagram or Facebook. 

📖 Recipe

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