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- 2 ripe bananas, mashed - 1 cup natural peanut butter - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 2 cups rolled oats - 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds) - 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or raisins - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt These ingredients bring together taste and nutrition. Ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture. Natural peanut butter gives healthy fat and protein. Honey or maple syrup serves as a sweetener, making the bars delightful. Rolled oats create a chewy base full of fiber. Chopped nuts add crunch and healthy fats. Dark chocolate chips or raisins bring in a sweet touch. Cinnamon adds warmth and flavor, while sea salt enhances all the tastes. - Best peanut butter options: Look for brands like Smucker's or Justin's for natural peanut butter. These have no added sugars or oils. - Recommended oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quaker and Bob's Red Mill are great choices for quality. - Alternatives for sweeteners: You can swap honey with agave or use date syrup for a different flavor. Both work well in this recipe. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the edges. This helps with easy removal later. 2. Mixing wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine 2 ripe bananas, 1 cup of natural peanut butter, and 1/4 cup of honey or maple syrup. Use a fork to mash the bananas and mix everything until it’s smooth. 3. Combining dry ingredients. In another bowl, mix 2 cups of rolled oats, 1/2 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or raisins, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt. Stir well to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly mixed. 1. Transferring the mixture to the baking dish. Pour the dry mixture into the wet banana mixture. Fold everything together until well combined. Then, transfer the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to press it down evenly. 2. Baking time and temperature. Bake the bars in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Look for golden edges and a set center. This shows they are ready. 3. Cooling and cutting the bars. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, lift it out using the parchment paper. Place it on a wire rack to cool completely. After cooling, cut into bars and enjoy! To get the texture just right, watch your bake time. If you want chewier bars, bake for 20 minutes. For firmer bars, let them bake for up to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the edges; they should turn golden brown. Measuring your ingredients is key. Too much peanut butter or oats can change the final product. Use a kitchen scale for accurate measuring. This helps you get the same great texture every time. These bars are tasty on their own, but you can make them even better. Serve them with fresh fruit like sliced bananas or berries. They also pair well with yogurt for added creaminess. Get creative with toppings! Drizzle some honey on top or sprinkle with nuts. You can even add a dollop of your favorite nut butter for an extra treat. One common mistake is overmixing the ingredients. Stir until just combined. If you mix too long, your bars can turn out tough. Another mistake is not baking long enough. If the center is too wet, the bars won't hold together. Use a toothpick to check; it should come out clean when done. Avoid these errors for perfect bars every time! Pro Tips Use Overripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be. Look for bananas with brown spots for the best results. Nut Variations: Feel free to experiment with different nuts or seeds. Chia seeds, flaxseeds, or sunflower seeds can add a nice crunch and extra nutrients. Storage Tips: For longer shelf life, store bars in the refrigerator. They can also be frozen for up to three months—just thaw before enjoying! Customization: Get creative with mix-ins! Add dried fruit, coconut flakes, or even a scoop of protein powder to tailor the bars to your taste. {{image_2}} You can easily change some ingredients in Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars. Here are some fun ideas: - Nut butter alternatives: If you want to switch it up, try almond butter or sunflower seed butter. Both options work well and add unique flavors. - Sweetener choices: Instead of honey or maple syrup, use agave or coconut sugar. These sweeteners change the taste and texture just a bit. Adding different flavors can make your bars even better. Here are some ideas: - Adding spices: Try adding nutmeg for a warm taste or vanilla extract for sweetness. A little goes a long way! - Adding dried fruits or seeds: Mix in dried fruits like cranberries or apricots. You can also add seeds like chia or flax for a nice crunch. These variations make it easy to create a snack just for you. To keep your peanut butter banana oat bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. You can keep them at room temperature for up to a week. This makes them easy to grab on busy days. If you want them to last longer, put them in the fridge. This can keep them fresh for up to two weeks. Just make sure they are sealed well to prevent drying out. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the bars. First, cut them into individual pieces. Wrap each bar in plastic wrap or foil. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing. This helps prevent freezer burn. When you're ready to eat them, take out a bar and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. You can also microwave it for about 20 seconds for a warm treat. Enjoying these bars later is just as tasty! Yes, you can use rolled oats. Rolled oats are thicker than quick oats. They add a nice chew to the bars. Quick oats blend into the mix better, but rolled oats give more texture. If you use rolled oats, the bars may be a bit denser but still taste great. Look for golden edges and a firm center. The bars will also pull away from the sides of the pan. You can poke a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the bars are done. If it has wet batter, bake a little longer. Yes, you can! To make them vegan, swap honey for maple syrup. Use dark chocolate chips that are dairy-free. This way, you keep the bars tasty and plant-based. You learned how to make tasty peanut butter banana oat bars. From choosing the right ingredients to perfecting the bake time, you now have all the tips you need. Remember to experiment with flavors and adjust textures to suit your taste. Store them well for lasting freshness, and enjoy them with fun toppings. Whether you’re snacking or sharing, these bars are a hit. Try making them today, and see how easy and rewarding it can be!

Nourishing Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars

Delicious and healthy oat bars made with bananas, peanut butter, and oats.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 none ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup natural peanut butter
  • 1 4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or almonds)
  • 1 2 cup dark chocolate chips or raisins
  • 1 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 4 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, peanut butter, and honey (or maple syrup). Mix until smooth and well combined.
  • In another bowl, combine the rolled oats, chopped nuts, dark chocolate chips (or raisins), cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and fold together until the mixture is well combined.
  • Transfer the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spatula to press it down evenly into the dish.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting out using the parchment paper. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Once cooled, cut into bars and enjoy!

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or in the fridge for longer freshness.
Keyword banana, healthy snack, oat bars, peanut butter