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Banana Oatmeal Bars

Banana oatmeal bars with a soft, chewy center and golden edges—baked until set and ready for easy meal prep. Ripe mashed bananas bind rolled oats and nut butter, with optional chocolate chips for pockets of sweetness.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Banana oatmeal bars base
  • 3 ripe bananas Mash until completely smooth for the chewy texture.
  • 2 cup rolled oats Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
  • 0.25 cup honey or maple syrup Choose honey or maple syrup.
  • 0.333 cup peanut butter or almond butter Natural nut butter works well; stir well before measuring.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.25 tsp salt
  • 0.5 cup chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts Optional add-ins—fold in after the oat mixture is combined.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep the pan and heat the oven
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 or 9x13 pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
Mash and combine ingredients
  1. Mash the ripe bananas until completely smooth in a large bowl.
  2. Add rolled oats, honey (or maple syrup), peanut butter (or almond butter), vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt, then mix until fully combined.
Add-ins and bake
  1. Fold in chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts if using.
  2. Press the mixture evenly into the pan and smooth the top.
  3. Bake for 22–25 minutes at 350°F, until the edges are golden and the center is set.
Cool and slice
  1. Cool completely before cutting into bars so the center firms up for clean slices.

Notes

For the smoothest, softest chew, mash the bananas until no lumps remain and press the mixture firmly into the pan. Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freeze up to 2 months (thaw overnight in the fridge). For a gluten-free option, use certified gluten-free rolled oats—most other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.