Description
These Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious treat combining ripe bananas, creamy peanut butter, and rich chocolate chips with hearty oats. Perfect as a nutritious snack or breakfast on the go, they are baked to a soft, chewy texture and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and applesauce. These bars are dairy-free by default and easily customizable to vegan diets by choosing dairy-free chocolate chips.
Ingredients
Wet 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 (60g) unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup (120ml) almond milk (or any nondairy milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Dry Ingredients
- 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
Add-ins
- 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (use dairy free for vegan)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there’s enough overhang on the sides to lift the bars out after baking. Set the pan aside.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mash the bananas thoroughly. On medium speed, beat or whisk in the peanut butter, coconut sugar, applesauce, almond milk, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla bean paste in the order listed. The batter will be thick but still pourable.
- Bake the Bars: Pour or spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until the center is set but still soft to the touch. This texture ensures a chewy, moist bar.
- Cool the Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Then place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to chill, which makes cutting easier and helps the bars set.
- Cut and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into 16 bars. Optionally, drizzle melted peanut butter over each bar for extra richness. Note that the parchment may be slightly moist from the bars’ moisture.
- Store the Bars: Cover leftover bars tightly and refrigerate for up to 10 days to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Choose dairy-free chocolate chips to keep the bars vegan.
- Old-fashioned or quick oats work best; avoid instant oats for texture.
- Chilling bars before cutting is essential to prevent crumbling.
- Optional peanut butter drizzle adds extra flavor but is not necessary.
- Bars can be frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
