These banana oat bars are topped with a warm peanut butter drizzle and packed with whole grain goodness. Lightly sweetened by the natural sugars from ripe bananas, dates, and a touch of maple syrup, and have quickly become our favorite new grab-and-go breakfast or after-school treat. They come together really fast, are naturally dairy-free and gluten-free, and have no refined sugars.
RECIPE DETAILS
Last week I accidentally ordered too many bananas with my online grocery pick-up. Now, my family eats a lot of bananas, but accidentally ordering 16 seemed a bit excessive. I love eating a banana before a long run or offering one as a snack before an afternoon soccer game. And, we add bananas to smoothies almost daily and often make homemade banana bread.
I have a blueberry breakfast bar recipe that everyone loves and I had been thinking of adding a new oat bar recipe. Oat bars make mornings easy for us. Bake the night before and grab one before heading to catch the school bus. Well, my surplus of bananas expedited things, and that my friends is how this banana oat bar recipe came to be.
If you're looking for a healthy pancake recipe, you're going to love these oat flour pancakes (dairy-free and vegan).
PEANUT BUTTER DRIZZLE
This banana oat bar is not crazy sweet on its own. The first time I made them, my daughters thought the bars were just ok. I didn't want to add any sugars to the recipe and on a whim heated up a little creamy peanut butter to drizzle on top.
The peanut butter drizzle was exactly what the recipe had been missing. It added a touch of sweetness without adding a lot of sugars.
HOW TO MAKE PEANUT BUTTER DRIZZLE
To make the peanut butter drizzle simply warm up your desired amount of peanut butter in the microwave for a few seconds to achieve a thinner consistency. Sometimes we drizzle the bars, and sometimes we dip the oat bars into warm peanut butter. I suggest a tablespoon of creamy peanut butter (per bar) heated in the microwave for 20 seconds.
If you're not serving the oat bars all at once, I'd recommend waiting to drizzle the banana bars. It's strictly preference, but I think it stores better and tastes better when the bars are drizzled right before eating.
NO ADDED SUGAR
These banana oat bars are not your typical syrupy sweet-baked breakfast bar. They are naturally sweetened, packed with whole food ingredients, and keep you satisfied all morning long.
I love to use natural sugars when baking. And, when baking a healthy breakfast for my family, bananas and maple syrup are my go-to natural sweeteners. Some studies suggest that maple syrup’s antioxidant plant nutrients offer health benefits. Paring (small amounts) natural sugars with whole grains is a great way to have a little taste of sweetness without blood sugar and insulin spikes. If you're interested in learning more about the health benefits of maple syrup vs refined sugars, this is a good article to read.
At the end of the day, sugar is sugar. Vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats should always be prioritized for a healthy diet and sugars should always be enjoyed in moderation.
HOW TO MAKE OAT BARS
I'm a big fan of any recipe that comes together with one bowl and a big spoon in less than 10 minutes.
Line an 8X8 baking dish with parchment paper.
Measure your ingredients.
Mash your ripe bananas until they are lump-free and liquidy. In a bowl, add the egg, vanilla, and maple syrup to the mashed bananas, and stir all until all your wet ingredients are mixed.
Add your oats, dates, hemp hearts, pecans (or other nuts), cinnamon, and salt to the banana mixture and stir until all dry ingredients are mixed well and there are no dry lumps in the mixture.
Press your banana oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut into 8 bars.
Drizzle with warm peanut butter.
Enjoy
How To Store
Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 5 days.
How To Freeze
wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove from the freezer the night before. Or, remove plastic wrap and place the banana oat bar on your plate, and microwave in 10-second intervals until thawed and warmed through. Be sure not to overheat as they will dry out. Also, the dates can get super hot when heated, so be careful not to burn your (or your child's) tongue.
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📖 Recipe
Banana Oat Bar with Peanut Butter Drizzle
Ingredients
Banana Oat Bar
- 2 Bananas ripe
- 2 cups old fashioned oats gluten-free
- ¼ cup hemp hearts omit if not available
- 3 whole dates pitted and chopped
- ¼ cup pecan pieces or other desired nut
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
Peanut Butter Drizzle
- ½ tablespoon peanut butter creamy
Instructions
Banana Oat Bar
- Preheat the to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and measure your ingredients.
- Line a 8X8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- Mash your ripe bananas until they are lump-free and liquidy.
- In a bowl, add the egg, vanilla, and maple syrup to the mashed bananas, and stir all until all your wet ingredients are mixed.
- Add your oats, dates, hemp hearts, pecans (or other nuts), cinnamon, and salt to the banana mixture and stir until all dry ingredients are mixed well and there are no dry lumps in the mixture.
- Press the banana oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Some ovens vary in how well they regulate the temperature. After 20 minutes keep an eye on your oat bars. You want the edges to be slightly golden brown.
- Cool slightly before cutting and serving.
Peanut Butter Drizzle
- Add ½ tablespoon per bar to a small microwave safe bowl.
- Heat on medium-high heat for 20 seconds.
- Drizzle one bar with the warm, thinned peanut butter. Or, if you prefer, use the peanut butter as a dip for your oat bar.
Notes
Peanut Butter Drizzle
Above, I have instructions for a single serving of peanut butter drizzle. I've found that the oat bars store better without the added peanut butter. If you are serving all 8 bars at one time, you will need 3-4 tablespoons of peanut butter. Heat on high for 30-45 seconds until warm and thinner.Optional Add-Ins
½ cup chocolate chipsHow To Store
Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 5 days.How To Freeze
wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, remove from the freezer the night before. Or, remove plastic wrap and place the banana oat bar on your plate, and microwave in 10-second intervals until thawed and warmed through. Be sure not to overheat as they will dry out. Also, the dates can get super hot when heated, so be careful not to burn your (or your child's) tongue.Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
The nutritional information provided here is approximate and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. We strive to give you accurate information, but many factors can cause this data to vary widely. For more information, please read our full Nutritional Disclaimer.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
Tag @healthywithachanceofsprinkles on Instagram so we can admire your whole food yumminess!
Soniya says
The bars look so delicious and healthy! LOVE the peanut butter drizzle on the top...can't wait to make it
Jessica says
Thank you, Soniya!
Natalie says
This is so healthy and looks delicious. Yum! I will make the bars over the weekend.
Jessica says
Yay! I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!
Julie says
One of my favorite flavor combinations, banana and peanut butter. A perfect breakfast or snack.
Jessica says
Thanks, Julie!
Jenn says
These are so good! I love that they're packed with nutrition, and that drizzle? I could eat that all day! Yum!
Jessica says
I'm so happy you love the recipe!
Emily Flint says
These banana oat bars were the perfect after-school snack for my son. I found myself snacking on them too so now it's time to make some more!
Jessica says
Thank you, Emily!