With just 5 ingredients and a texture and flavor that’s similar to a soft oatmeal cookie, these Banana Oatmeal Bars are a nutritious (and yummy!) make-ahead breakfast or snack.
This recipe has become a staple weekday breakfast in our house. It’s an amazing make ahead breakfast for kids to stash in the fridge to grab on mornings when the kids need a little more time to sleep…and still need a substantial breakfast.
These Banana Oatmeal Bars are easy to take on the go, you can cut them into sticks or squares, and they can be eaten chilled out of the fridge or warmed up slightly.
It’s basically like eating a bowl of oatmeal, but in bar form! You can pair this easy breakfast recipe with Flavored Milk, Yogurt Drinks, or a Toddler Protein Shake, too
Why This Recipe Works
With just 5 ingredients and a super simple method, these nutritious bars are easy to make, yummy to eat, and simple to store for future days.
(You may also like my Healthy Breakfast Bars, Blueberry Date Bars, Peach Crumb Bars, and Homemade Granola Bars.)
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
Here’s a look at the ingredients you need to have on hand to make this added-sugar-free Banana Oatmeal Bar recipe so you know what to grab from the pantry or store.
- Bananas: Very ripe bananas are key to the sweetness and flavor in this recipe. They should have lots of brown spots, which indicates natural sugars.
- Instant oats: You can use store-bought instant oats or quickly grind up rolled oats in a blender or food processor. You can also use oat flour. All work to make an oatmeal bar with a nicely uniform consistency.
- Peanut butter: Peanut butter adds protein and beneficial fats to help keep us satisfied. It also helps the bars hold together easily without using egg. To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter. (You can also use almond butter, if you prefer.)
- Milk: I usually use whole milk in my baking, but any kind of plain unsweetened milk will work here.
- Chocolate chips (or dried fruit): We love these topped with chocolate chips, but you could also use dried fruit or fresh or frozen blueberries if you prefer.
Featured Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I made these for my 18-month-old and myself. WE LOVE THEM! I followed the recipe, subbing blueberries for chocolate chips. They’re delish and have the best texture.” —Morgan
Step-by-Step Instructions
Below is an overview of the process involved in making these Banana Oatmeal Bars so you know what to expect. Scroll down to the end of the post for the full recipe, including the amounts and timing.
Step 1. Preheat the oven and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Mash the banana in a medium bowl.
Step 2. Add the remaining ingredients, except chocolate chips, and stir well to combine.
Step 3. Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing evenly. Add chocolate chips.
Step 4. Bake until firm to the touch and lightly golden around the edges.
Your toddler won’t eat? Help is here!
Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent your way!
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe has fiber, protein, beneficial fats, and complex carbs for a nicely balanced mix of nutrition.
You can use rolled oats ground briefly in the food process or blender or use quick oats or oat flour.
You can substitute a seed butter such as sunflower seed butter.
This can be a great baby snack or baby breakfast idea. I would omit the chocolate chips and let the natural sweetness of the fruit be the main flavor.
How to Store
Store leftover Banana Oatmeal Bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Enjoy cold or warmed slightly according to how you prefer to eat them. (We like them both ways!)
Best Tips for Success
- Use rolled oats that have been ground up in the blender, instant oats, or oat flour.
- Leave out the chocolate chips or add dried fruit instead if you prefer.
- Use certified gluten-free oats to make this gluten-free.
- Use sunflower seed butter to make this nut-free.
- Add ¼ cup honey or maple syrup to make this sweeter if your family prefers.
Related Recipes
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please rate and comment below!
Banana Oatmeal Bars
Ingredients
- 1½ cups mashed very ripe bananas (from about 3 medium bananas)
- 2 cups instant oats (or rolled oats ground up in a blender or food processor)
- ½ cup peanut butter (or sunflower seed or almond butter or 2 eggs)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup chocolate chips (or blueberries or dried fruit, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degree F and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. (I allow 2 inches to hang over the edges on either side so the bars are easy to lift out and slice.)
- Add the ingredients to a medium bowl. Stir well to combine thoroughly.
- Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing evenly.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until firm to the touch and lightly golden around the edges. Let cool fully in the pan, then lift out onto a cutting board and slice.
Equipment
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Enjoy cold or warmed slightly.
- Use rolled oats that have been ground up in the blender, instant oats, or oat flour.
- Leave out the chocolate chips or add dried fruit instead if you prefer.
- Use certified gluten-free oats to make this gluten-free.
- Use sunflower seed butter to make this nut-free.
- Add ¼ cup honey or maple syrup to make this sweeter if your family prefers.
Nutrition
This post was first published August 2023.
FYI – Mine took closer to 30 minutes to bake, but turned out great!
Should I measure the 2 cups of oats before or after grounding them?
I forgot to blend my oats beforehand (!!!). Does that matter?!
Should be okay!
Great easy way to use up bananas to make a treat that’s good for breakfast or snack! I press chocolate chips onto the top on half, and raisins on the other. I also do half peanut butter + 1 egg and it works great.