Description
These easy, one-bowl banana oat bars are chewy, sweet, and packed with fiber. Made with ripe bananas, rolled oats, and dark chocolate, they are a healthy, gluten-free friendly snack that tastes like a brownie.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large ripe bananas (about 1.5 cups mashed)
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (160g)
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup (60ml)
- ⅓ cup almond butter (85g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chunks (85g)
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- Optional: 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Optional: ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, and lightly grease.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth.
- Add maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to the bananas. Stir vigorously until well combined and smooth.
- Stir in the rolled oats until fully coated in the wet mixture. The mixture should be thick and sticky.
- Gently fold in the dark chocolate chunks (and nuts if using).
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press down firmly and evenly with a spatula or greased hands to pack it tight.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until edges are golden brown and the center is set but slightly soft.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 30 minutes) to allow bars to set.
- Lift bars out using parchment overhang and cut into 12 squares or 9 larger bars.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas for maximum sweetness. Press the mixture down firmly to ensure bars hold together. Do not cut while warm, or they will crumble. For extra chewiness, let the mixed dough sit for 10 minutes before pressing into the pan. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
Keywords: healthy banana oat bars, gluten-free snacks, one-bowl recipe, kid-friendly snacks, oatmeal bars, dark chocolate banana bars, meal prep snacks