Banana Oatmeal Bars (One Bowl and Healthy!)

A great alternative to banana bread for those old bananas on your counter! One-Bowl Banana Oatmeal Bars are soft, wholesome, and perfect for breakfast or snacking. They come together easily with simple pantry ingredients.

Try my banana bars with cream cheese frosting next time!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These banana oatmeal bars are everything you want in a wholesome snack or breakfast—made in just one bowl for easy cleanup, naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and maple syrup, and packed with nourishing ingredients like oats and peanut butter. They’re perfect for gluten-free or dairy-free diets (with simple swaps) and stay fresh for days, making them ideal for busy mornings, lunchboxes, or on-the-go snacking.

Simple Ingredients

• Ripe Bananas – Naturally sweet and moist, they act as a binder and reduce the need for added sugar. The riper, the better for flavor!
• Eggs – Provide structure and help bind the bars together while keeping them soft.
• Pure Maple Syrup – A natural sweetener that adds rich flavor and helps balance the earthiness of oats and peanut butter.
• Peanut Butter – Adds creaminess, protein, and a nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with banana and chocolate.
• Avocado Oil or Applesauce – A healthy fat (or fat substitute) that keeps the bars moist and tender.
• Vanilla or Almond Extract – Adds a warm, aromatic depth to the bars. Choose almond for a slightly more unique twist.
• Old-Fashioned Oats – The base of the bars, creating a hearty texture and making the bars naturally gluten-free (if using gluten-free oats). I like the rolled oats best.
• Baking Powder – Gives the bars a little lift and helps them bake evenly.
• Cinnamon – Adds cozy warmth and complements the banana and chocolate.
• Salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Chocolate Chips – Provide rich, melty bites throughout. A crowd-pleasing addition that makes every bite extra special.

See the recipe card for exact quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

• Nut Butter Swap: Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor or nut-free option.
• Oil Alternative: Swap avocado oil with melted coconut oil.
• Vegan Option: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg).
• Chocolate Lovers: Add white chocolate chips or swirl in homemade Nutella or homemade pistachio butter.
• Berry Boost: Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries for a fruity twist.
• Spiced Up: Add nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin spice for seasonal flair.
• Protein Boost: Mix in a scoop of vanilla protein powder—just reduce the oats slightly.
• Crunch Factor: Add chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans on top before baking.

How To Make Banana Oatmeal Bars

This is a step-by-step photo overview of these healthy banana bars; the full instrcutions are in the recipe card below.

Step #1: Mash the bananas in a large bowl.

Step #2: Add the peanut butter, eggs, and oil to the bowl and mix to combine.

Step #3: Add all the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients.

Step 4: Add the chocolate chips and mix until well combined.

Step #5: Pour the batter into a prepared and greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes.

Step #6: Cut into squares and enjoy! Watch them disappear before your eyes :).

FAQ’s

Make-Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: Prep and bake up to 2 days in advance. Let cool completely before storing.
• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Fridge: Keeps well for up to 1 week—great for grab-and-go breakfasts!
• Freezer: Freeze sliced bars in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight or warm in the microwave.

More Easy Dessert Recipes

Banana Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Easy Italian Pear Cake Recipe (Torta di Pere)

Bananas Flambe (With Grand Marnier)

Italian Almond Cake Recipe (One Bowl!)

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5 from 8 votes

Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

By: Elena Davis

Servings: 24 servings

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

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A great alternative to banana bread for those old bananas on your counter! One-Bowl Banana Oatmeal Bars are soft, wholesome, and perfect for breakfast or snacking. They come together easily with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 ripe medium bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ ½ cup pure maple syrup
• ▢ ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
• ▢ ¼ cup avocado oil or unsweetened applesauce
• ▢ 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or almond extract
• ▢ 2½ cups old-fashioned oats
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ▢ ¾ cup chocolate chips, plus more for topping
• ▢ 1 tablespoon flaky sea salt, for topping (optional but delicious!)

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it. You can also use a 9×13-inch baking pan they turn out a little thinner. I love both ways!
• In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
• Add eggs, maple syrup, peanut butter, avocado oil (or applesauce), and vanilla extract. Whisk until fully combined and smooth.
• Stir in oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well to form a thick batter.
• Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips and flaky sea salt on top.
• Bake for 28–35 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set. A toothpick should come out mostly clean.
• Cool completely in the pan before slicing into bars. Store covered at room temp for 2 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.

Notes

Make Ahead and Storage:

• Make Ahead: Prep and bake up to 2 days in advance. Let cool completely before storing.
• Room Temp: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Fridge: Keeps well for up to 1 week—great for grab-and-go breakfasts!
• Freezer: Freeze sliced bars in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight or warm in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 24gCalories: 208kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 6gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.001gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 157mgPotassium: 227mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 30IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Baking, Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: American

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