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Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
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Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome, flavorful snack or quick breakfast option made with simple pantry ingredients. Combining creamy peanut butter, ripe bananas, and hearty oats, these bars are naturally sweet, filling, and easy to customize to your dietary needs.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 to 3 ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Optional Mix-ins

  • Nuts (e.g., chopped peanuts or walnuts)
  • Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
  • Dried fruit (e.g., raisins or cranberries)
  • Protein powder (for protein boost)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing or lining an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to ensure easy removal later.
  2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash 2 to 3 ripe bananas until smooth but still slightly chunky to keep some texture in the bars.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until the mixture is creamy and combined fully.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and any optional spices or mix-ins you desire.
  5. Mix Everything Together: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, folding gently until all oats are coated and the batter is sticky but not overly wet.
  6. Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and smooth out the top evenly. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are golden and the center is set.
  7. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper and slicing into squares or rectangles.

Notes

  • Use ripe bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor.
  • Do not overbake to keep bars moist and chewy.
  • Add mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips just before baking.
  • Press the batter firmly into the dish for bars that hold together well.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing.

Nutrition

Keywords: peanut butter, banana, oatmeal, bars, healthy snack, breakfast, gluten-free, no refined sugar, easy bake, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/peanut-butter-banana-oatmeal-bars/