Looking for a wholesome and convenient breakfast option? Look no further than this banana oatmeal bar recipe. Packed with whole ingredients, these bars not only offer a great start to your day but also ensure you have a quick grab-and-go option at your fingertips.
Don't let the thought of baking intimidate you – I'll walk you through the simple steps to create these delicious banana oatmeal bars. Even if you're new to baking, this recipe is designed to be approachable and straightforward. The end result is a batch of bars that your family will undoubtedly adore. The natural sweetness of ripe bananas combined with the heartiness of oats makes for a winning combination that's sure to become a breakfast favorite.

What is a baked oatmeal bar?
Baked oatmeal bars, reminiscent of banana bread and granola bars, present a wholesome and convenient addition to your breakfast routine or snacking habits.
These bars boast a texture akin to baked oatmeal, offering a soft, moist, and chewy experience, reminiscent of comfort baked goods.
Combining the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, the heartiness of oats, and a hint of cinnamon, these bars are a delicious blend of all good things. Ideal for those busy mornings or as a great pick-me-up, these baked oatmeal bars seamlessly blend the essence of homemade comfort with the practicality of a grab-and-go snack.

Ingredients
The bars are made with wholesome ingredients that are easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Bananas: Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture to the bars, eliminating the need for excessive sugar. They don't need to be overripe bananas, but just ripe.
- Peanut Butter: You can use creamy or crunchy peanut butter.
- Brown Sugar: A touch of brown sugar enhances sweetness and helps achieve a desirable chewy texture in the bars.
- Egg: The egg acts as a binder, helping to hold the ingredients together and giving structure to the bars.
- Almond Milk: Almond milk adds moisture to the mixture and keeps the bars tender while making the recipe dairy-free if desired.
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract infuses a pleasant aroma and flavor into the bars, enhancing their overall taste.
- Cinnamon: A dash of cinnamon introduces warmth and depth of flavor, complementing the bananas and oats.
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Oats are the star ingredient, providing heartiness, fiber, and a satisfying texture to the bars. These can also be called rolled oats.
- Salt: A pinch of salt balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Flax seeds- I love adding these for extra nutrients. If you are vegan, they can also replace the egg in this recipe.
- Chia seeds- Another good addition that also adds protein.
- Chocolate Chips (optional): For a fun indulgence, you can add chocolate chips, providing bursts of chocolatey goodness throughout the bars. My personal favorite is dark chocolate chips.

How to make
This is a simple recipe, let me walk you through the steps.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will prevent the bars from sticking to the pan and make for easy removal once they're baked.
Step 2: In a large bowl or using a stand mixer, take the ripe bananas and mash them until they turn into a smooth and creamy consistency. This forms the base of the bars and provides a natural sweetness.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients to the mashed bananas. Be sure to mix well, you want everything incorporated thoroughly.
Step 4: Top with the dry ingredients and mix well.
Step 5: Once it is evenly mixed, pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer.
Step 6: Place the pan into the preheated oven and bake the bars for about 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they should turn a lovely golden-brown color and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when they're done.
Step 7: Once baked to perfection, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Let the bars cool slightly in the pan before attempting to cut them. This will help them set and make slicing them into neat portions easier.



Substitutions and variations
- Nut Butter Substitution: If you're looking to switch up the nutty flavor, you can replace peanut butter with alternatives like almond butter or cashew butter. These options offer a similar creamy texture and bring their unique taste to the bars.
- Egg Replacement: If you're aiming for an egg-free version, flax eggs can be used as a replacement. Mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg required. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until it thickens, then incorporate it into the recipe as a binding agent.
- Oats Variation: If you prefer a different oat texture, you can swap out old-fashioned oats for quick oats. Quick oats are smaller and slightly more processed, which could lead to a slightly different texture in the final bars.
- Other seeds- Nuts and seeds are delicious add-ins to the mix, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds being one of my favorites. Do not add in more than ¼ cup as that will change the texture.

Tips and tricks
- For perfectly soft-baked banana oatmeal bars, ensure your bananas are ripe with brown spots. This guarantees a natural sweetness and a moist texture.
- Consider making a double batch if you're a fan of having these bars handy. They store well and can save you time on busy mornings.
- When mashing the bananas, use a fork or a potato masher to achieve a smooth consistency, creating an even base for your bars.
- When mixing the ingredients, whether by hand or with a mixer, focus on achieving a uniform blend. This ensures that every bar is packed with consistent flavor.
- To simplify cleanup, lay a piece of parchment paper in the baking pan. This makes it easy to lift the bars out once they're baked, and it keeps your kitchen counter clean.
- When spreading the mixture in the pan, an offset spatula can be the best way to ensure an even layer throughout. This promotes even baking and a uniform texture.
- Remember that patience is key. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them. This allows them to set properly and makes for clean, neat cuts.
- To add a personal touch, consider mixing in your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to the mixture before baking. Just keep the overall proportions in mind for the best bar form.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the fridge for extended freshness. They're perfect for quick snacks or a grab-and-go breakfast option.

Other baked oatmeal recipes
I love baked oatmeal in almost every form! Chocolate-baked oatmeal is a great indulgence for a breakfast idea. If you aren't into chocolate, how about this berry-baked oatmeal? Or if you want a recipe without bananas, how about this baked oatmeal? Another easy recipe is overnight oats with instant oats- it doesn't not get simpler than this!

Banana Oatmeal Bar Recipe
Equipment
- 1 9x9 pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed bananas This was about 2- 2 ½ bananas when I have made it.
- ⅓ cup peanut butter or almond butter
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 egg
- 1 teapsoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon If you love a stronger cinnamon flavor, add 1- 1 ½ teaspoons
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar you can also use maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix really well. Everything needs to be incorporated for it to bake well.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper, this isn't necessary but makes it so much easier to remove it.
- Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until the bars are set.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Gently remove the parchment paper and place it on a cooling rack. Cool completely.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days.
Notes
- For perfectly soft-baked banana oatmeal bars, ensure your bananas are ripe with brown spots. This guarantees a natural sweetness and a moist texture.
- Consider making a double batch if you're a fan of having these bars handy. They store well and can save you time on busy mornings.
- When mashing the bananas, use a fork or a potato masher to achieve a smooth consistency, creating an even base for your bars.
- When mixing the ingredients, whether by hand or with a mixer, focus on achieving a uniform blend. This ensures that every bar is packed with consistent flavor.
- To simplify cleanup, lay a piece of parchment paper in the baking pan. This makes it easy to lift the bars out once they're baked, and it keeps your kitchen counter clean.
- When spreading the mixture in the pan, an offset spatula can be the best way to ensure an even layer throughout. This promotes even baking and a uniform texture.
- Remember that patience is key. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before attempting to cut them. This allows them to set properly and makes for clean, neat cuts.
- To add a personal touch, consider mixing in your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips to the mixture before baking. Just keep the overall proportions in mind for the best bar form.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days, or in the fridge for extended freshness. They're perfect for quick snacks or a grab-and-go breakfast option.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!