Description
Soft, chewy Banana Oat Dessert Bars made in one bowl with ripe bananas and rolled oats. Naturally sweet, freezer friendly, and perfect for snacks, breakfast, or a lighter dessert.
Ingredients
2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 450 g, about 3 large very ripe bananas)
2 large eggs
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter (80 g) or almond butter (80 g)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup (60 ml), optional if bananas are very ripe
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 ml)
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (180 g)
1 teaspoon baking powder (4 g)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2.5 g)
1/4 teaspoon fine salt (1.5 g)
1/2 cup chocolate chips (85 g) or chopped walnuts (60 g), optional
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8 x 8 inch (20 x 20 cm) pan with parchment, leaving overhang for lifting.
2. Mash bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
3. Whisk in eggs, nut butter, maple syrup (if using), and vanilla until glossy and well combined.
4. Stir in oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until no dry pockets remain.
5. Fold in chocolate chips or nuts, if using.
6. Spread evenly into the pan and smooth the top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until edges are golden and the center is set but still soft.
7. Cool in the pan 30 minutes, then lift out and cool completely before slicing into 9 or 12 bars.
Notes
Sweetness tip: If your bananas are deeply spotted and very sweet, you can reduce or skip the maple syrup.
Egg free option: Replace each egg with 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 2.5 tablespoons water (mix and rest 5 minutes).
Texture tip: Do not overbake. The center should look set with a slight softness. Bars firm up as they cool.
Storage: Refrigerate up to 5 days or freeze up to 3 months. Reheat 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave if desired.
Mix in ideas: Blueberries (3/4 cup, 110 g), shredded coconut (1/3 cup, 30 g), or chopped dark chocolate (1/2 cup, 85 g).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg