Chocolate Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Simple, wholesome chocolate banana oat bars made with mashed bananas, almond butter, oats, and cocoa for an easy breakfast or snack.
Servings: 9 servings
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup creamy almond butter
- 1 1/2 cups quick oats
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 to 1 cup chocolate chips optional
- 1/4 tsp sea salt to taste
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Mash the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until smooth; you should have about 1½ cups mashed banana.
- Add the creamy almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and stir until the wet ingredients are well combined.
- Add the quick oats, cocoa powder, ground cinnamon, and sea salt to the bowl and mix until a thick, even batter forms.
- Fold in the chocolate chips if using, reserving a few to sprinkle on top if desired.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and spread into an even layer with a spatula; sprinkle reserved chocolate chips on top if using.
- Bake on the center rack for 12–16 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center is firm (about 15 minutes is typical).
- Allow the bars to cool to room temperature in the pan before using the parchment overhang to lift them out and slice into 9 bars.
Equipment
- 8-inch Square Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Fork or Potato Masher
Notes
- Use peanut butter or sunflower seed butter as a substitute for almond butter.
- If omitting chocolate chips, add 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar for extra sweetness.
- Measure quick oats by lightly packing the measuring cup.
- Let bars cool completely for cleaner slices.