Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious treat made with ripe bananas and rolled oats, sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup. Perfect for a nutritious breakfast, snack, or dessert, these bars also include warm cinnamon and customizable mix-ins such as nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and flavor.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of your choice)
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit)
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready to bake the bars evenly.
- Prep the Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper; this will help you lift the bars out easily after baking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add the almond milk, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, stirring until fully incorporated but avoiding overmixing. Gently fold in your chosen mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts.
- Pour Batter and Bake: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool for a few minutes in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Slice into nine bars and enjoy.
Notes
- Customize your bars by adding your favorite mix-ins such as seeds, nuts, or dried fruits for texture and flavor variety.
- Use well-ripened bananas for maximum sweetness and moistness in the bars.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the texture light and tender.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- To freeze, wrap bars individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag; they keep well for 2-3 months.
- Reheat frozen bars in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy warm.
Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, baked oatmeal bars, healthy breakfast bars, snack bars, banana snack, oat bars, easy baked bars