Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars

4.99 from 92 votes
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Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars are made with just 7 ingredients for a healthy, simple snack. Rich in fiber and protein, these oat bars will keep you full and fueled.

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Banana peanut butter bars stacked on top of one another on a white work surface.

Why You’ll Love These Banana Peanut Butter Bars:

Wholesome, nutritious and easily adaptable using your favorite mix-ins. These bars my go-to for healthy, homemade snacks.

Here are all the times these bars come in clutch:

  • When that 3 o’clock crash hits and you just need a little something to tide you over.
  • For breakfast-on-the-go when you need something fueling (see also my Banana Bread Bars.
  • For dessert when you’re craving something sweet but trying to avoid a sugar crash.

Basically, any time the snack craving strikes, these bars will have your back.

They’re chewy, nutty and subtly sweet. (Think baked oatmeal mixed with a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie.)

And for my healthy snack bar recipes, check out my Healthy Pumpkin Bars and Coconut Cashew Bars.

Recipe Ingredients:

Recipe ingredients in separate bowls on a work surface with blue labels.

Many of the ingredients in these bars can be modified based on your preferences/allergies. Here’s what you need:

  • Bananas: Two ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture to these bars. If you’re not a fan of banana, use 2/3 cup of pumpkin puree instead.
  • Rolled oats: Use a certified gluten-free brand, such as Bob’s Red Mill, if you need to make these bars 100% gluten free.
  • Peanut butter: Look for a natural, drippy peanut butter that only includes peanuts and salt on the ingredient list. Alternatively, you can almond butter or cashew butter instead.
  • Maple syrup: Any kind of liquid sweetener will do the job, such as honey, agave, or brown rice syrup. However I love the richness of maple syrup, especially paired with nut butter.
  • Chocolate chips: Totally optional, however a little bit of chocolate makes these bars feel indulgent. Alternatively, feel free to use dried fruit or chopped nuts.
  • Coconut oil: Coconut oil adds moisture and chewy goodness to these oat bars.

I also like adding a couple scoops of collagen for a protein boost. You can choose to leave this out, or add ~20g of your go-to protein powder.

See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions/Additions:

  • Add nuts: Either in addition to or in place of the chocolate chips, walnuts are a wonderful addition that slip in extra heart-healthy fats.
  • Make Vegan: These banana peanut butter bars are naturally vegan as long as you don’t add collagen powder. You can, however, add a scoop of your favorite plant-based protein powder.
  • Make Nut-Free: If you have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter will work in place of the peanut butter.
  • Add Fruit: I love adding dried cherries to these bars! Their sweet-tart flavor complements the chocolate beautifully.

The Directions:

These homemade granola bars only take 10 minutes to make, and ~20 minutes to bake. Here’s how to make them:

Step 1: Mash the banana in a large bowl until pureed.

Step 2: Add wet ingredients, including peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Mix the ingredients until well-combined.

Banana being mashed and mixed with peanut butter and maple syrup in a white bowl.

Step 3: Stir in dry ingredients, including oats, protein powder/collagen (if using), and salt. Lastly, Next, fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts (if using) and stir to combine.

Chocolate chips being stirred into oat mixture and emptied into an 8x8 inch baking pan.

Step 4: Pour mixture into an 8×8 baking pan and top with some additional chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees F for 27-32 minutes, until set.

Let cool completely before slicing into 12 bars and enjoying!

Baked banana peanut butter oat bars topped with chocolate chips on a cutting board.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Make this Recipe Vegan?

These oat bars are naturally vegan without the chocolate chips. In lieu, you can use cacao nibs, dried fruit, or extra chopped nuts. I personally love dried cherries, walnuts, or pecans.

How to Store Oat Bars:

Once the bars completely cool, slice them into pieces and place in an airtight Tupperware container. You can store the bars in the refrigerator or at room temperature, if you prefer. I personally love them both ways, however they do tend to dry out more in the fridge.

Either way, they will last 4 to 5 days if properly stored.

Can I Freeze Oat Bars?

Yes, you can freeze these banana peanut butter bars. Here’s how:

First, let the oat bars cool to room temperature.
Next, slice them into individual squares, and wrap each square in plastic wrap.
Place the bars in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To reheat: remove the plastic wrap and warm on a microwave-safe plate for 30-60 seconds.

Two oat bars stacked on top of one another with a fork taking a bite out of bottom bar.

More Healthy Snack Bars to Try:

If you make this recipe, be sure to snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. Lastly, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates!

4.99 from 92 votes

Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars

Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars are made with just 6 ingredients for a healthy, simple snack. Rich in fiber and protein, these homemade granola bars will keep you full and fueled.
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • 8×8" baking dish

Ingredients  

  • 2 medium ripe bananas
  • 1/2 cup natural creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 3 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted (or avocado oil)
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 scoops collagen protein (~20g) (sub protein powder of choice)
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips (sub cacao nibs or dried fruit if making vegan)
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF and line an 8×8" baking dish with parchment paper.
  • Place bananas in a mixing bowl and use a fork to throughly mash. Once pureed, stir in peanut butter, maple syrup, oil, and vanilla.
  • Add rolled oats, collagen or protein powder, chocolate chips, walnuts (if using), and salt; stir to combine.
  • Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. If desired, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips overtop. Transfer to the oven and bake for 28 to 32 minutes, until set.
    Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out of the pan and let cool completely before slicing into.
  • Once cooled, slice into 12 bars. (I also like sprinkling some flaky salt overtop, however totally optional.) Refrigerate after 2 days.

Video

Notes

STORING: Place bars in an airtight Tupperware container and store at room temperature for 3 days. After that, refrigerate for up to 3 more days.
FREEZING: Let the bars cool to room temperature before wrapping each square in plastic wrap. Place the bars in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat: remove the plastic wrap and warm on a microwave-safe plate for 30-60 seconds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 90mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 17g

I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and review below!

 

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Recipe Rating




99 Comments

  1. Sandra Walters says:

    5 stars
    I have made these multiple times and my kids love them! Thanks for the easy healthy recipe.

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Sandra – I’m so glad you enjoyed this one! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

  2. Ingrid says:

    Love these. Making them now for the 3rd time in about a month! Kids love them . Ask for me to make every week. I’m getting creative with adding cranberries and Coconut. I don’t add the chocolate. I too prefer honey to syrup. These are a great healthy and filling snack option. This is a keeper for sure!

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Woohoo! I’m so glad you enjoyed these, Ingrid. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

  3. Derrick Smith says:

    Can I use butter instead

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Derrick – melted butter should work fine!

  4. Deborah says:

    5 stars
    Okay! Seriously….I’m kind of a picky jerk….but these are remarkable and incredibly delicious! I followed the recipe with two exceptions…. I only had half the amount of maple syrup needed so I substituted honey for the rest and I used my vanilla protein powder because that’s what I had on hand. They come together quickly and easily. Thank you for this recipe!!!! It’s definitely going to be part of my regular rotation! 🙏🏼🥰

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Deborah – I’m so thrilled you enjoyed these bars!! Thanks for leaving your substitutions for other readers to see. And thank you SO much for leaving such a fab review!

  5. Kate says:

    These look awesome but I do not have any protein powder, will they be okay without or do you recommend using oat flour or almond flour instead? Or any other substitute? Thanks so much!

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Kate—you can use 3-4 Tbsp. oat flour or almond flour instead!

  6. Angie says:

    5 stars
    This a great alternative to banana bread for using up old bananas. Very tasty!

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Angie! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

  7. Hannah says:

    If I don’t have coconut oil on hand can I sub vegetable oil or olive oil instead?

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Hannah, yes either of those will work fine!

  8. Angela says:

    5 stars
    I made these last night and wow! They are so so so good. My mom decided to take one work and she said she loved it so much that she ate it too quickly and then was sad that there wasn’t any left. They’re soft, have a nice sweetness, and the perfect balance of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate. I used honey instead of maple syrup simply because I prefer the flavor but seriously, this was one of the best things I’ve had in awhile. Thanks for the recipe!

  9. Christine says:

    Made a batch last night, brought them to work this morning – the boys devoured them all. We had a wonderful workout after thanks to the energy – Truly a hit , thanks!

    1. dishingouthealth says:

      Yayy, I’m so thrilled to hear that, Christine!! Thanks so much for coming back and sharing! Cheers.

  10. plasterer bristol says:

    These sound super delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.

    Simon