Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
These Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack or breakfast option, combining ripe bananas, rolled oats, and your choice of mix-ins for a naturally sweet and satisfying treat. Perfectly baked to a golden finish, they offer a nutritious boost with every bite.
- Author: liam
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars (depending on size) 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 2 pieces 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 salt
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup mix-ins (such as chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit)
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake.
- Prepare the baking pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, which will prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add almond milk, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to distribute the leavening and spices evenly.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry oat mixture to the wet banana mixture, stirring until fully incorporated. If you are using any mix-ins, gently fold them in at this stage.
- Pour batter into pan: Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula for uniform baking.
- Bake the bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating they are cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for a few minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper. Slice into bars and enjoy as a healthy snack or breakfast.
Notes
- Use well-ripened bananas for natural sweetness and better texture.
- Feel free to customize mix-ins based on your dietary needs and flavor preferences.
- Honey or maple syrup can be substituted with agave or a sugar-free sweetener for a lower sugar option.
- Almond milk can be swapped with any plant-based milk or dairy milk depending on preference or dietary restrictions.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 9 bars per batch)
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 3.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, healthy snack, baked oatmeal, breakfast bars, easy banana recipe, vegetarian snack