Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

Name: Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 very ripe bananas; 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 2 1/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

These peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are a delicious treat that is perfect for snacking. A yummy, vegan and gluten free snack that is super simple to whip up with <10 pantry-friendly ingredients that the entire family will enjoy.

peanut butter banana bars on piece of parchment paper with small dish of peanut butter.

This post was originally published March 2014; updated March 2023.

Looking for a new healthy snack recipe? These peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are a family favorite! All you need to recreate this easy snack or quick breakfast is a handful of healthy ingredients like peanut butter, banana, and rolled oats. You’ll probably want to make a double batch. 😋

If you want a similar recipe that is no bake, you’ll love these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars. In case you love peanut butter just as much as I do, be sure to check out my roundup of vegan peanut butter recipes!

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

A yummy, family friendly snack or healthy breakfast with whole grains that can be mixed together in just 5 minutes.
With less than 10 simple ingredients, you probably have everything you need to make a batch right now! I love having them on hand as a grab and go workout snack.
These healthy oatmeal bars are vegan, dairy free, egg free, and gluten free (when using certified gluten-free oats).

Ingredients You’ll Need

peanut butter banana oatmeal bar ingredients with text overlays on a white background.

Bananas: you’ll need three bananas for these peanut butter oatmeal bars. For sweeter bars, use extra ripe bananas. Bananas that are more ripe also mash better which is helpful for this recipe.
Oats: I like the texture of old-fashioned oats for this delicious recipe. I haven’t made it with quick oats, but I think it should work. You just want to avoid using steel cut oats.
Peanut Butter: peanut butter and banana are one of my favorite combos. The creamy peanut butter here adds some flavor as well helping to bind to dough together since we aren’t using any eggs in this vegan recipe. Crunchy peanut butter and well stirred natural peanut butter also work in this recipe. (I also have a post on how to make your own healthy peanut butter!)
Maple Syrup: adds natural sweetness to these bars.
Baking Powder: gives these bars just a little bit of lift.
Chocolate Chips: I like to use dark chocolate chips or the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips from Enjoy Life. You can use any favorite vegan chocolate chips you have on hand. Don’t have chocolate chips? You could also add nuts, dried fruit, or pumpkin seeds instead.

Oats are a versatile and budget-friendly pantry staple that I always keeps on hand. Check out my health benefits of oats post for the lowdown on this nutritious whole grain from a plant-based dietitian.

Step by Step

Step One: Add your bananas to a large mixing bowl and mash well with a fork or a handheld mixer.

peanut butter banana oat bar dough in a mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.

Step Two: Add the rest of the ingredients to the large bowl with the mashed bananas and stir well to combine.

banana oat bar dough in parchment lined baking dish before baking.

Step Three: Transfer the batter to an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. (Spray well with cooking spray if not in using parchment.) Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until golden brown and firm.

peanut butter banana oat bars cut into squares on a white background.

Step Four: Allow the cooked bars to cool completely before cutting. (For neater cuts, chill in the fridge before cutting into pieces.) Store these peanut butter banana bars in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Expert Tips

Use extra ripe bananas: kind of like banana bread, using overripe bananas is best for this recipe since they mash better and add more sweetness.
Line your baking dish with parchment: to make it easier to cut and store these bars, I like to line my baking pan with parchment paper so I can then just lift the bars out of the pan with the paper once cool.
Allow to cool completely: allow these oatmeal breakfast bars to cool completely before cutting them or else they will crumble a bit.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these with a different nut butter?

Yes! This bar recipe also works well with almond butter or cashew butter.

Are oatmeal bars healthy?

Yes! These peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are a great option for a healthy snack on the go. They are made with wholesome ingredients and provide fiber and healthy fats.

Can I make these into cookies?

Yes! Just scoop the dough onto a baking sheet and reduce the baking time to about 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

More Snack Recipes You’ll Love

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