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Banana Oatmeal Bars

Banana oatmeal bars that bake up chewy, golden, and dense with a soft center and a slightly crisp top. These easy meal prep bars use ripe mashed banana and oats, plus optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or dried fruit.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Banana Oatmeal Bars
  • 3 ripe bananas Mash until completely smooth.
  • 2 cup rolled oats Use as-is for a hearty, chewy texture.
  • 3 tbsp honey or maple syrup Choose honey or maple syrup.
  • 0.25 cup almond butter or peanut butter Stir in until glossy and smooth.
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract Adds warmth and roundness.
  • 1 tsp cinnamon For classic banana-oat flavor.
  • 0.25 tsp salt Balances sweetness.
  • 0.5 cup chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or raisins Use one type (or omit if needed, but keep total solids similar).

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Bake and set up
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
  2. Mash the ripe bananas until completely smooth, then stir in almond butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until uniform.
Combine and press
  1. Fold in rolled oats until fully combined, then fold in your chosen mix-ins (chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or raisins).
  2. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan so the surface looks compact and flat.
Bake and finish
  1. Bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes until golden at the edges and set in the center, with a softly springy look.
  2. Cool completely before slicing into bars, then refrigerate for cleaner cuts and neat rectangles.

Notes

For the cleanest rectangles with a dense, chewy center, cool fully first and then refrigerate before cutting. Store bars covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days; freeze up to 2 months for longer meal prep. For a gluten-free option, use certified gluten-free rolled oats so the bars stay gluten-free while keeping the same texture.