Healthy Banana Oatmeal Bars for Easy Meal Prep
I am so glad you are here. These banana oatmeal bars use simple ingredients to create a satisfying, grab-and-go breakfast or wholesome snack. This recipe is perfect for busy mornings and meal prep routines.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large, very ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup mix-ins (chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruit)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth.
- Add the rolled oats, maple syrup (or honey), milk, vanilla extract, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt to the bowl with the mashed bananas. Mix everything together until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in your chosen mix-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts.
- Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Pat it down firmly to help the bars hold their shape.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper overhang.
- Once cool, slice the mixture into 12 bars. Store the bars in an airtight container.
Notes
- Using very ripe, spotty bananas provides the best natural sweetness for these bars.
- These bars store well at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- For a gluten-free option, make sure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg