Healthy Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars: Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe
These healthy peanut butter banana oat bars are a quick, easy, and delicious snack made with just a few simple ingredients. Perfect for meal prep, they’re soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on two opposite sides.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas with a fork or potato masher until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
- Add the peanut butter, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined and smooth.
- Add the rolled oats and salt. Stir until all oats are evenly coated. If using, fold in chocolate chips or nuts.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Press it down evenly with a spatula or lightly wet hands to compact it.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and the center is slightly soft. For crispier bars, bake 2-3 minutes longer.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting (about 30 minutes).
- Cut into 9 or 16 squares with a sharp knife. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat edges.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and moisture. For a vegan version, use maple syrup instead of honey. Toasting the oats before mixing adds a deeper flavor. Bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the fridge for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 1.5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 7
Keywords: peanut butter banana oat bars, healthy snack, easy recipe, gluten-free, vegan, meal prep