Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
peanut butter banana chocolate chip oatmeal bars

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 73 reviews
  • Author: Sally
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours (includes cooling)
  • Yield: 16 bars
  • Category: Bars
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These quick and easy peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are adaptable in many different ways. See my blog post above and recipe notes below. They’re a more solid form of my delicious baked oatmeal.


Ingredients

  • 1 cup (230g) mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large ripe bananas)
  • 1/2 cup (125g) creamy or crunchy peanut butter*
  • 1/4 cup (50g) coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (45g) unsweetened applesauce*
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) almond milk (or any nondairy milk)
  • 2 and 1/2 cups (213g) old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats (not instant)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (use dairy free for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper with enough overhang on the sides to easily remove the bars from the pan. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl or in the bowl of your stand mixer, mash the bananas. On medium speed, beat or whisk in the remaining ingredients in the order listed. Batter will be a little thick, but still pourable.
  3. Pour/spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 25-28 minutes or until the center is set (it will still look relatively soft!).
  4. Remove from the oven and cool in the pan at room temperature for 30-60 minutes. After that, place the pan in the refrigerator for 1 hour until chilled. The bars are difficult to cut if they haven’t been chilled.
  5. Remove bars from the pan using the overhang on the sides then cut into bars. Sometimes I drizzle melted peanut butter over each, but that’s optional. (Note: the parchment paper is always a little moist from soaking up some moisture from the bars.)
  6. Cover leftover bars tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Notes

  1. Freezing Instructions: Freeze squares in single layers between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
  2. Special Tools (affiliate links): Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Glass Mixing Bowl | 9-inch Square Baking Pan
  3. Peanut Butter: You can use any nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew) you want—natural, homemade, or processed.
  4. Applesauce: I used to make these bars with 1 egg instead of the applesauce, but love their flavor with applesauce a bit better. You can, of course, use an egg instead or even use a flax egg substitute. Flax egg = mix 1 Tbsp ground flax with 3 Tbsp warm water and let it sit for 10 minutes while it “gels” up. Use the “flax gel” as a replacement for the applesauce/egg.
  5. Oats: Use certified gluten free oats to ensure the bars are gluten free.
  6. Chocolate Chips: You can skip the chocolate chips or replace with peanut butter chips, chopped nuts, or raisins. Or use a combination of any of those add-ins.
  7. Vegan: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and nondairy milk to ensure the bars are vegan.
  8. Gluten Free: Make sure your oats are certified gluten free to ensure these bars are gluten free.