Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars (Print View)

Chewy bars with creamy peanut butter, ripe banana, and hearty oats for a quick energy lift.

# Components:

→ 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

# Method:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving 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. Stir until well combined.
04 - Add oats, salt, cinnamon, and any optional mix-ins such as nuts or chocolate chips. Stir until evenly combined.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or spatula.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm enough to cut.
07 - Lift bars out using parchment overhang. Slice into 12 bars and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under 20 minutes of actual work, with zero oven anxiety.
  • They taste indulgent but your body knows you fed it real food.
  • One batch disappears faster than you'd expect, which feels like a win.
02 -
  • The refrigeration time is not negotiable—cutting them warm will give you a crumbly mess that tastes good but looks like a crime scene.
  • Don't use bananas that are still mostly yellow or you'll end up with bars that never quite set properly, no matter how long you wait.
03 -
  • A tiny pinch of cinnamon in the initial banana mixture (before adding the oats) somehow makes the whole thing taste more sophisticated and less like basic sweetness.
  • If your peanut butter is the natural kind with oil on top, mix that oil back in before measuring—it makes the bars more cohesive and less crumbly.
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