Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe are a wonderfully simple and practical solution for busy mornings or healthy snacking, transforming ripe bananas into a wholesome and satisfying treat that’s perfect for the whole family.
Key Ingredients for Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats (not instant)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 very ripe medium bananas, mashed (about 1 cup mashed)
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
How to Make Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
This Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe is a delightful symphony of textures and flavors, offering a perfectly chewy and satisfying bite that’s surprisingly easy to whip up. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a bake time of 25-30 minutes, you’ll have a batch of delicious, homemade goodness ready in under an hour.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This step ensures your Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe won’t stick.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Make sure these dry ingredients are well combined before moving on to the wet ingredients.
- Mash Bananas and Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until they are smooth. Add the packed light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, large egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir everything together until it’s thoroughly combined and the sugar has dissolved.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredient mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
- Add Optional Mix-ins: If you’re using them, gently fold in the chopped nuts and/or chocolate chips into the batter until they are evenly distributed throughout the Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe.
- Spread into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula. You want a relatively uniform layer for even baking.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars should be set but still slightly soft in the middle.
- Cool and Cut: Let the Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for them to set properly. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan and place it on a cutting board. Cut into bars of your desired size.
Why You’ll Love This Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
You’ll absolutely adore these Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe for their incredible moistness and comforting, homemade taste, reminiscent of your grandma’s classic oatmeal cookies but with an added boost of natural sweetness from ripe bananas. Making these at home is incredibly cost-effective, especially when you have a few overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste, saving you money on expensive store-bought snacks and turning simple pantry staples into a delicious treat. The optional additions of crunchy nuts or melty chocolate chips elevate these bars from good to absolutely irresistible, offering a delightful textural contrast and decadent burst of flavor in every bite.
Forget complicated baking projects; this recipe is a straightforward path to a truly satisfying snack or breakfast. Unlike fussy cakes or delicate pastries, these bars are delightfully forgiving and deliver consistently delicious results. So, gather your ripe bananas and pantry staples, and get ready to whip up a batch of these incredibly moreish Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite you’ll reach for again and again.
Storing and Reheating Tips
To keep your Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe fresh and delicious, proper storage is key.
- Refrigeration: Once completely cooled, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days. This is ideal for maintaining their texture and preventing them from becoming too soft from the banana.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe. Cut them into individual portions before freezing for easy grab-and-go snacks. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: If you prefer your bars a little warm, you can gently reheat them. A few seconds in the microwave (about 10-15 seconds per bar) will usually do the trick. Alternatively, you can place them on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for a few minutes until warmed through, though this can sometimes make them a bit crispier. For frozen bars, it’s best to allow them to thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator before reheating.
Final Thoughts
These Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe are a testament to how simple, wholesome ingredients can create something truly special and satisfying. Give them a try for a delightful homemade touch that’s always a winner!
Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the rolled oats, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt.1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant), 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt
- In a separate large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until they are smooth. Add the packed light brown sugar, melted unsalted butter, large egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir everything together until it’s thoroughly combined and the sugar has dissolved.2 very ripe medium bananas, mashed, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredient mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are okay.
- If you’re using them, gently fold in the chopped nuts and/or chocolate chips into the batter until they are evenly distributed.1/2 cup chopped nuts, 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly using a spatula.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The bars should be set but still slightly soft in the middle.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan and place it on a cutting board. Cut into bars of your desired size.