Banana Oatmeal Bars (One Bowl and Healthy!)
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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.
Try my banana bars with cream cheese frosting and chocolate chip banana bread next time!
Quick Look: Banana Oatmeal Bars (One Bowl and Healthy!)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 24 people
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free if using certified gluten-free oats, can be made nut-free and vegan
- Method: One-bowl mixed batter baked until soft and lightly golden
- Technique: Mash ripe bananas, mix with oats and simple pantry ingredients, then bake until tender and set
- Flavor/Texture: Soft, chewy, naturally sweet, hearty
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.
Try my banana oatmeal cookies next!
Made With Amore,
“I made these healthy and delicious banana bars this morning. I can’t stop eating them! Easy recipe, as I had all the ingredients on hand. I think I’ll try mixing in raisins instead of chocolate next time or maybe use both! I’ll be making these often. Thanks Elena!”
– Maria
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
Made with wholesome pantry staples, these banana oatmeal bars are simple, nourishing, and so tasty!
- Ripe Bananas: Add natural sweetness, moisture, and help bind the bars together without needing excess sugar
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Create the hearty texture and make these bars wholesome and filling
- Peanut Butter: Adds creamy richness, nutty flavor, and extra protein that pairs perfectly with banana
- Eggs and Avocado Oil: Help keep the bars soft, tender, and structurally balanced while baking
- Chocolate Chips: Add rich, melty bites throughout for the perfect sweet finish
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Nut Butter Swap: Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a different flavor or nut-free option.
- 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. You’ll love my Chocolate Covered Bananas.
- Berry Boost: Fold in fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries for a fruity twist. If you love berries, try my Overnight Blueberry French Toast Casserole!
How To Make Banana Oatmeal Bars
Soft, wholesome, and naturally sweetened, these banana oatmeal bars are an easy grab-and-go snack everyone will love. Follow the step-by step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
- Add the peanut butter, eggs, and oil to the bowl and mix to combine.
- Add all the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients.
- Add the chocolate chips and mix until well combined.
- Pour the batter into a prepared and greased baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes.
- Cut into squares and enjoy! Watch them disappear before your eyes!
Banana Oatmeal Bars FAQs
Yes, but the texture may be slightly different.
Yes, you can add a scoop of your favorite protein powder. The batter will be a bit firmer.
Absolutely! Spoon the batter into a greased or lined muffin tin and bake at 350°F for 18–22 minutes.
You can prep and bake these bars up to 2 days in advance. Let cool completely before storing. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to one week in the fridge.
To freeze, put the sliced bars in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight or warm in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
These banana oatmeal bars are perfect for easy breakfasts, afternoon snacks, or healthy meal prep throughout the week. I love serving them slightly warm with Greek yogurt, Italian Fruit Salad, or drizzled with Homemade Nutella. They also pair beautifully with other make-ahead breakfast favorites like Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches or Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe with Potato and Egg.
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Use super ripe bananas for natural sweetness and extra moisture—brown spots are your friend!
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Press extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a bakery-style look.
- Let the bars cool fully before slicing so they hold their shape better.
- For chewier bars, bake on the shorter end of the time range; for firmer bars, bake a few minutes longer.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
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Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 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
- Use super ripe bananas for natural sweetness and extra moisture—brown spots are your friend!
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean edges.
- Press extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a bakery-style look.
- Let the bars cool fully before slicing so they hold their shape better.
- For chewier bars, bake on the shorter end of the time range; for firmer bars, bake a few minutes longer.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This recipe is so delicious. I was surprised how easily this came together. I doubled this recipe and cooked in a 9×13 glass pan with parchment paper on the bottom. I ended up adding 7 minutes to the maximum amount recommended. Talk about incredibly moist and delicious. Utilized avocado oil instead of applesauce. Otherwise made as instructed. 🥰
So happy you loved! Yes, it is a good idea to double this one- yumm!
can you use quick oats for this recipe?
Yes! You can use quick oats. Enjoy!
is there a substitute for eggs to make these vegan?
Yes! You can use “flax eggs”. Enjoy!
Made these bars. So insanely delicious! I had them for breakfast every day!! Will be making them often!!😍
Great news! I am so happy you loved these as much as we do!
Made these bars. So insanely delicious! I had them for breakfast every day!! Will be making them often!!😍
So good I can’t stop eating it, definitely will be making often. I used quick oats as that is all I had, turned out perfect, added peanut butter chips on top along with chocolate chips, all done in one bowl.
It doesn’t get easier than this easy treat! So YUMMY! I am happy you love it.
I made these healthy and delicious banana bars this morning. I can’t stop eating them! Easy recipe, as I had all the ingredients on hand. I think I’ll try mixing in raisins instead of chocolate next time or maybe use both! I’ll be making these often. Thanks Elena!
So happy you loved this easy and tasty snack. I love the idea of raisins. Yum!
Can I use canola oil instead of avocado oil?
Yes, you can absolutely make that swap.
Can’t wait to try! If using a 9×9 pan, would the baking time be 35 min or so?
Yes! Check at 30 min. Enjoy!
My kids love these as an afterschool snack! I know you and yours will, too!