Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars (Printable)

Wholesome bars with peanut butter, banana, oats, perfect for a quick and easy energy boost on the go.

# What You'll Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
03 - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

05 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
06 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
07 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Directions:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there is an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
03 - Add peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and stir until thoroughly combined.
04 - Mix in oats, salt, ground cinnamon, and any optional nuts or chocolate chips, stirring until evenly distributed.
05 - Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or spatula.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to slice.
07 - Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang, slice into 12 bars, and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent but you're basically eating bananas, oats, and peanut butter—no guilt required.
  • No baking means no heating up the kitchen and no babysitting anything in an oven.
  • They're sturdy enough to throw in a backpack or lunchbox and survive the journey.
02 -
  • If your bananas aren't ripe enough, the bars will taste bland and feel more crumbly than chewy—overripe is genuinely better here.
  • Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan makes the difference between bars that hold together and a pile of crumbs masquerading as bars.
03 -
  • If your mixture feels too dry after mixing, add a little more honey drizzle—you want it to hold together but still be slightly tacky, not stiff.
  • A sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry between cuts gives you clean edges instead of ragged ones.
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