Irresistible Banana Oatmeal Bars for Healthy Snacking
Discover the perfect guilt-free treat with these delightful banana oatmeal bars. Bursting with natural sweetness from ripe bananas and wholesome oats, they offer a satisfying texture and rich flavor. Ideal for a quick breakfast, a midday snack, or a post-workout energy boost, these bars are incredibly easy to make and universally loved.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
25-30 minutes
Total Time
Approximately 40-45 minutes active time, plus 10 minutes cooling.
Servings
Makes 9-12 bars
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Packed with natural sweetness and wholesome ingredients.
- An incredibly versatile snack, perfect for any time of day.
- Ready in under an hour, making healthy eating convenient.
- Customizable with your favorite add-ins like nuts or chocolate.
- A fantastic way to use up ripe bananas, reducing food waste.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe medium bananas, about 360g (1 ½ cups mashed)
- 240g (2 cups) rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 80ml (⅓ cup) honey or pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 4g (1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 5ml (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
- Optional: 50g (½ cup) chopped nuts or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Prepare your oven and baking dish. Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease an 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) baking dish or line it with parchment paper, ensuring the parchment extends over the sides to create "handles" for easy removal. This preparation ensures a non-stick surface and simplifies cleanup.
- Mash the bananas. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas using a fork or a potato masher until they are smooth with only a few small lumps remaining. The ripeness of the bananas is key here, as they provide natural sweetness and moisture.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients. To the mashed bananas, add the rolled oats, honey or pure maple syrup, large eggs, baking powder, and vanilla extract. Stir these ingredients together diligently with a spatula or wooden spoon until everything is uniformly combined. Ensure there are no pockets of dry oats or unmixed baking powder. If adding optional nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in now.
- Transfer and spread the mixture. Pour the banana oatmeal bar mixture into your prepared baking dish. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to spread the mixture evenly into all corners, creating a uniform layer. This helps the bars bake consistently.
- Bake to perfection. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean. Overbaking can lead to dry bars, so keep a close eye on them.
- Cool before slicing. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes. This cooling time is crucial as it allows the bars to set properly, making them much easier to slice without crumbling. After 10 minutes, you can lift the bars out using the parchment paper handles and let them cool completely on the wire rack before slicing into desired squares.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large mixing bowl
- Fork or potato masher
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- 20×20 cm (8×8 inch) baking dish
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Wire cooling rack
- Measuring cups and spoons
Essential Success Tips
- Use very ripe bananas (with brown spots) for the best natural sweetness and easier mashing.
- Do not overmix the batter; mix just until combined to ensure a tender texture.
- Grease your baking dish thoroughly or use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before slicing. This is critical for clean, firm cuts.
- For an extra flavor boost, gently toast the rolled oats in a dry pan for a few minutes before adding them to the mixture.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- For an intensified banana flavor, roast the ripe bananas in their peels at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes until the peels are entirely black. Let them cool, then scoop out the softened, super-sweet flesh to use in the recipe. This caramelizes the sugars, deepening the flavor profile.
- To achieve a slightly chewy exterior and tender interior, increase the baking temperature to 190°C (375°F) for the first 10 minutes, then reduce to 175°C (350°F) for the remaining baking time. This initial blast helps develop a crust quickly.
- Infuse the vanilla extract into warm honey or maple syrup before adding to the wet ingredients. This brief warming helps to release more aromatic compounds from the vanilla, enhancing its presence in the final product.
Notes
- Storage: Store the cooled banana oatmeal bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in the microwave.
- Variations: Feel free to add 50g (½ cup) of chopped walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut to the mixture for added texture and flavor. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can also elevate the spice profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these banana oatmeal bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Ensure you use certified gluten-free rolled oats, as some oats can be cross-contaminated during processing. The other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.
How can I tell if my bananas are ripe enough for these bars?
The ideal bananas will have several brown spots on their yellow peels, indicating that their starches have converted to sugars, making them sweeter and easier to mash. Avoid green or completely yellow bananas for this recipe.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
While rolled oats provide a chewier texture, quick oats can be used in a pinch. However, they absorb liquid faster, so the bars might be a bit denser. For the best result, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Approximate per bar (based on 12 servings): Calories: 170, Protein: 4g, Fat: 4g, Carbs: 30g, Fiber: 3g, Sugars: 15g.
Allergy Information
Contains eggs. May contain gluten if non-certified gluten-free oats are used. For a dairy-free option, ensure your chosen sweetener (honey or maple syrup) is dairy-free, which is standard. For a nut-free version, omit any optional nuts.
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