Description
Soft-baked banana oat bars with chocolate chips. These bars use wholesome ingredients, natural sweetening, and are ready fast, making them great for lunchboxes or on-the-go. They have the flavor of banana bread in an easy bar format.
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides.
- Mash bananas in a large bowl until smooth with small lumps remaining.
- Add peanut butter, honey, applesauce, and vanilla extract. Stir until creamy.
- Whisk oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Pour the wet banana mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing.
- Fold in chocolate chips, saving one tablespoon for the top.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Press down gently.
- Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips on top. Bake for 23 to 26 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before lifting out with the parchment overhang.
- Transfer to a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting into 12 to 16 bars.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and moisture.
- Press the batter firmly into the pan for bars that hold their shape.
- Allow bars to cool totally before slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Toast oats briefly for a deeper, nuttier flavor.
- Store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze bars individually wrapped for storage up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack/Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American