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Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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4.3 from 8 reviews

These quick and easy peanut butter banana oatmeal bars combine the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate chips. Baked to a soft, chewy texture, these bars are perfect for a healthy snack or breakfast on the go. They’re highly adaptable and provide a wholesome alternative to traditional baked oatmeal in bar form.

  • Total Time: 2 hours (including cooling and chilling time)
  • Yield: 16 bars

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup (230g) mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large ripe bananas)
  • 1/2 cup (125g) creamy or crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup (50g) coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup (60g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) almond milk (or any nondairy milk)
  • 2 and 1/2 cups (213g) old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats (not instant)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (use dairy free for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. Set the pan aside.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mash the bananas thoroughly. Using medium speed, beat or whisk in the peanut butter, coconut or brown sugar, unsweetened applesauce, almond milk, and vanilla extract in the order listed, until well combined.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the oats, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon to the banana mixture. Stir or mix gently until the batter is thick but still pourable. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly.
  4. Transfer and Bake: Spoon or pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top as needed. Bake for 25-28 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly soft to the touch.
  5. Cool Bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Then refrigerate the pan for at least 1 hour to chill the bars, which will make them easier to cut.
  6. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 16 equal bars. Optionally, drizzle melted peanut butter over each bar for extra flavor.
  7. Storage: Store any leftover bars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Notes

  • Use ripe bananas for maximum natural sweetness and soft texture.
  • For a vegan version, ensure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.
  • Allow the bars to chill completely before cutting to avoid crumbling.
  • You can substitute almond milk with any other nondairy or regular milk.
  • Adding a drizzle of melted peanut butter on top is optional but adds extra richness.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/peanut-butter-banana-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-bars-recipe/