Banana Chocolate Oat Bars
servings: 9
These banana chocolate oat breakfast bars are dense, filling, and made with simple pantry ingredients. Naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and studded with chocolate chips, they’re perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts, snacks, and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 3 large very ripe bananas mashed well
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup peanut butter
- 2½ cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line or grease an 8×8 baking pan.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth.
- Stir in the eggs, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt.
- Fold in the oats and chocolate chips.
- The mixture should be very thick and scoopable, not pourable.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until the center is set.
- Cool in the pan, then refrigerate before slicing for clean, sturdy bars.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and flavor.
- The mixture should be thick and scoopable, not pourable. Pressing it firmly into the pan helps keep the bars dense.
- Refrigerating before slicing makes the bars easier to cut and helps them hold their shape.
- For slightly richer bars, use ⅓ cup peanut butter. For lighter bars, use ¼ cup.
- If your bananas are not very ripe and you prefer a sweeter bar, add 1–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup.
- Replace chocolate chips with 2–3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder.
- If the mixture feels dry, add 1–2 tablespoons milk or water to bring it together.