Peanut Banana Oat Bars (Printable version)

Wholesome bars with peanut butter, banana, and oats for a quick, nourishing energy boost.

# What you 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

# Steps to follow:

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 fully incorporated.
04 - Incorporate oats, salt, cinnamon, and any optional nuts or chocolate chips. Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
05 - Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan using the back of a spoon or spatula.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to cut.
07 - Using the parchment overhang, lift the bars out of the pan and slice into 12 equal pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • No oven required—just a fridge and ten minutes of mixing, which means you can make these while your coffee brews.
  • They taste like a treat but deliver real nutrition without any of that processed bar aftertaste.
  • The texture is perfectly chewy in a way that keeps you satisfied, not the hard, disappointing crunch of some homemade bars.
02 -
  • Don't skip the salt—I learned this the hard way when I made a batch without it, and the flavors just felt flat and one-dimensional instead of bright and harmonious.
  • Use bananas that are actually ripe enough; underripe bananas won't mash smoothly and will leave you with little chunks throughout, which changes the whole tender texture you're aiming for.
  • The refrigeration time is non-negotiable if you want clean, uniform bars instead of a crumbly mess that falls apart when you bite into it.
03 -
  • Press your mixture into the pan with real intention and weight—this is the difference between bars that hold together and ones that crumble when you bite into them.
  • If the peanut butter is thick and stubborn, warm it slightly before mixing so it incorporates smoothly and doesn't leave streaks throughout your bars.
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