Banana Oatmeal Bars

Introduction

Banana Oatmeal Bars are the perfect solution for busy mornings or afternoon snack attacks. These chewy bars bring together the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the hearty texture of old-fashioned oats, creating a treat that’s both nourishing and satisfying. They boast simple ingredients, minimal prep, and enough flavor to make even picky eaters ask for seconds.

Why Banana Oatmeal Bars Are a Must-Try

The secret behind these bars is their delightful combination of wholesome oats and naturally sweet bananas—meaning you can enjoy a guilt-free snack or breakfast-on-the-go. These easy-to-make bars are also crowd-pleasers at potlucks, lunchboxes, or picnics, thanks to their cozy flavor and nourishing, energy-boosting ingredients.

The Perfect Texture and Taste

These bars achieve the ideal balance—soft and chewy from the oats, sweet and moist from the mashed banana. They’re lightly spiced with cinnamon, making every bite comforting and flavorful. Not only are they naturally sweetened, but you can also add nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit for extra texture and variety.

Simple Steps to Banana Oatmeal Bar Success

The process couldn’t be easier: mix your wet and dry ingredients together in one bowl, spread the batter in a pan, and bake until golden and set. Let the bars cool slightly before slicing for neat squares with just the right bite.

Serving Suggestions for Banana Oatmeal Bars

Enjoy these bars warm from the oven with a swipe of nut butter, serve cold for meal prep breakfasts, or pack them in lunchboxes. Pair with yogurt and fresh fruit for a complete breakfast or enjoy as an energizing snack after a workout.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 12 bars. Each serving offers approximately 120–150 calories, depending on optional mix-ins. Rich in fiber and potassium, these bars are an excellent way to fuel your day while keeping added sugars low.

Banana Oatmeal Bars: Wholesome Goodness Every Time (Recap)

If you’re seeking a snack or breakfast bar that’s hearty, easy, and flavorful, these Banana Oatmeal Bars hit all the marks. They combine nutritious oats and bananas into a grab-and-go treat everyone will love.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Stir in the applesauce, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until well combined.
3. Add the oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt to the banana mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
4. Fold in any optional add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit.
5. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the bars are set and lightly golden around the edges.
7. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing into bars.

Weekly Meal Planning

These Banana Oatmeal Bars are ideal for batch prepping at the start of the week. Save and schedule this recipe to your meal plan to generate a smart shopping list that consolidates all ingredients, making grocery shopping streamlined and meal prep effortless.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically calculates total ingredient quantities across recipes
• Sorts your shopping list by grocery store aisle
• Reduces food waste and prevents overlooked items
• Simplifies meal and snack planning for the week

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes to spot overlapping ingredients—for example, if another recipe uses oats or bananas, the app tallies the total amount needed. This makes your weekly meal planning seamless and avoids duplicate purchases.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: 35–40 minutes