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These easy banana bars need just four ingredients to make and are a healthy and wholesome dessert or even breakfast- no dairy, no eggs, and completely flourless.
If you’ve tried my oatmeal banana bread but want something quicker but just as delicious, my simple banana bars recipe is your answer.
These bars are a spin on two of my favorite simple banana recipes: my banana bread cookies and oatmeal breakfast cookies. Instead of cookies, you get a thick, chewy, soft bar that is so satisfying!
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Healthy. I am not overselling the goodness of these bars. They are made without added sugar, flour, butter, oil, eggs, or dairy. My family loves them for breakfast because they are full of wholesome carbs and healthy fats.
- Quick and easy to make. No chill time, no fancy kitchen gadgets, and no loaf pan needed.
- 4 ingredients only. As mentioned earlier, all you need are oats, bananas, peanut butter, and a handful of chocolate chips.
- Easy to customize. Similar to the above point, you can jazz up these bars to suit your tastebuds, or add your favorite mix-ins.
Ingredients (and substitutions)
Besides the banana itself, everything that is needed is pretty much pantry staples. Here is what this recipe calls for:
- Rolled oats. You get the perfect chewy and thick texture with rolled oats. While quick oats will work, they will be a little softer.
- Bananas. Ensure you have really ripe bananas to make this recipe. That way, you don’t have to add any extra sweetener.
- Peanut butter. I find the combination of oats, peanut butter, and bananas hard to resist. But you can substitute it with almond, cashew, or hazelnut butter. If you want to keep this recipe nut-free, use pumpkin, sunflower, butter, or even tahini.
- Chocolate chips. Chocolate chips or chocolate chunks create beautiful pockets of gooey chocolate upon baking. I prefer 55-60% dark chocolate chips, but feel free to use white, dark, or milk chocolate.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make banana bars
Make the batter. Combine mashed banana, nut butter, and oats in a bowl. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Bake the banana bars. Transfer the banana batter to a lined and greased 8×8-inch pan. Even out the surface and top with more chocolate chips. Proceed to bake in a preheated oven at 180°C/350°F until the center firms up and you see golden brown edges.
Cool and slice. Once baked to your preference, remove the tray from the oven. Allow it to cool to room temperature. Slice it into bars and store it as indicated below.
Recipe tips and variations
- Bake it to your liking. You can make gooey or firm banana bars depending on your preference. To make gooey banana bars, bake them for 10-12 minutes until the edges pick up some color and the center is still soft. For firm banana bars, bake them for the entire duration. Remember that the banana bars continue to firm up after removing them from the oven.
- Adjust the thickness. Make thick or thin banana bars using a small or large baking pan. I prefer chewy, thick banana bars for a hearty breakfast.
- Adjust the sweetness. If you use unripe, semi-sweet bananas, you might need to add some external sweetener to the recipe, including maple syrup or honey.
- Add protein powder. To improve the protein content of this recipe, add 3 to 4 scoops of vanilla or chocolate protein powder to these breakfast bars!
- Add nuts. Add a textural element by mixing toasted peanuts, cashews, almonds, or pecans to this simple banana bars recipe.
Storage instructions
To store. Banana bars store well at room temperature for a week in airtight containers. You could also place them on a plate and seal it with plastic wrap.
To freeze. To enjoy these bars over a long time, place them in freezer-safe bags and freeze them for up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
If you need to ripen or overripen bananas ASAP, you can do it in a few ways. Place the unpeeled bananas in a preheated oven for 15 minutes at 250°F. They will turn black on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside. You can also heat them in the microwave in bursts of 30 seconds. You’ll have sweet/ ripe bananas in no time!
Sure, you can. While I enjoy the classic, unfrosted version of banana bars for breakfast, you can put a decadent spin on them by frosting them with cream cheese, chocolate ganache, or caramel sauce.
More delicious bars to try
Banana Bars
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 6 medium bananas approximately 2 cups
- 1 cup peanut butter can sub for any nut or seed butter of choice
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips Optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F and line an 8 x 8-inch pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine all your ingredients and mix well. Fold through half your chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into the greased baking tray and press down evenly. Top with extra chocolate chips and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden on the outside and firm in the center.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.
I’ve just put my second lot of this in the oven – love it! I added a handful of chopped walnuts and will use lite peanut butter next time for fewer calories but love it for grab and go breakfast or a snack. Highly recommend!
These are so yummy!
Hi I made these and they taste so good.
How long do they last and can they be frozen?
Came across you site by accident looking for a recipe to use up ripe bananas that has healthy and lower in calories.
These turned out exactly like your picture which is a first and they taste great and are really filling. Tweaked a bit by adding 2 scoops of Whey powder and 1 tsp vanilla essence. Had one for my breakfast today with a glass of milk before doing a 7.5 mile walk. Kept me energised all the way and didnt feel any hunger pangs. Will definetely be making again and will try some of your other recipes. Thank you for sharing. Your are now in my favourites.
Not usually a fan of something so chewy, but these are very tasty. I added walnuts.
Cooked in Ninja 15:1. Guide: Add tsp baking powder, loosen mixture with milk to dropping consistency; 8″ loose bottom lined round cake tin. Add 700ml water to Ninja pot; place tin on low adjustable rack. Steam bake 180 15mins. Filling and delicious. Might try chopped apricots instead of chocolate chips
These are amazing! Thank you so much!
Thank you. I look forward to trying these today. 🙂
I apologize if this question is silly sounding, but I just want to be sure I am making the bars correctly. When combining the ingredients in a mixing bowl, do you use a food processor or combine by hand? Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes with us and for your time.
Hi Jodi- not silly at all! By hand is fine 🙂
These were delicious! I used 1/2 peanut butter and 1/2 PB powder and added 1/4 cup chia seeds. I’ll make these on repeat. Great grab and go breakfast or sweet treat!
These are the best healthy banana bars recipe I’ve ever made!
I can’t wait to try these…craving something something sweet but need to cut those carbs!
Made these and they are so good! Just wondering the best way to store them? In one place it says to keep them at room temperature, and then at the bottom it says to keep them in the fridge. Thanks! 🙂
These are incredible!!! I tweaked the recipe based on the amount of cashew butter I had on hand and they turned out great. They tasted just like banana bread! Thank you for this recipe!!
I used 6 bananas (551 g), ~1/2 cup cashew butter (166 g), 3 cups of rolled oats (240 g), ~1/4 chia seeds (46 g), and 1/4 cup plus more for sprinkling (67 g) of ChocZero milk chocolate baking chips.
So easy and so hearty and delicious!
Love these banana bars 🙂
They are delish ! No sugar but it is very sweet actually !
Perfect for every occasion, and without sugaaaar ! Yeyy. Thanks a lot.
Amazing! Super thick and yummy—I only used 3 cup of oats and it was perfect!
These were super delicious! For the past years, I\ve been making healthy desserts, breakfasts, etc. These are delicious! I made them this morning for breakfast and they mad the kitchen smell amazing. The kids love them as well. They are thick and dense and just…. mouth drooling. Thanks for this yummy recipe!
Easy to make, and great taste & texture. I did a half recipe and they made a great midnight snack. 🙂
Can i use powder peanut butter. Thanks
Not that I’ve tried
I was searching for a healthy snack for myself and my preschooler, and this recipe is a winner! The only thing I would change is I won’t put any chocolate chips on top as they didn’t melt and some fell off (I use enjoy life). Will definitely make it again and again!
Can I use steel cut oats?
Thanks
Nope!
Hi, loved these, thanks for the recipe. I made them with the instant oats my daughter has at home. I have to keep my blood sugar in check and wondered if steel cut oats would also work in this recipe. Thank you!
Hi Maggie! I haven’t tried with steel cut oats but I’d stick rolled or quick 🙂
I made the paleo version of these for the weekend, LOVE! So easy and so quick to make! Next time I may top it with blueberry for an extra somethin’ somethin’
😀 Love it!
What is the sugar in grams? Thank you!
Hi Kat! I’m not sure, but you can easily calculate it using an online calculator like myfitnesspal or similar 🙂
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
You sure can 🙂
These are great! Just found your site and this is the first recipe I tried, (it definitely won’t be my last.)
Thanks for offering so many great ideas for healthy eating!!!
You are so welcome, Karen! Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
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Great!
They taste pretty good and I think I did it right but mine took a lot longer to bake, like 20 minutes on 350 I’d say is more accurate. The center is firm but still chewy and the edges are golden brown but idk the bake time has me thrown off, and it still doesn’t really give that look of being done. All in all, great taste with clean ingredients!
woof I’m a dog gimme. acat or else
You can have cat food then.
Love this!!! So easy, healthy, vegan and delicious 😍😍😍😍 thank you SO much for this recipe xx
You are so welcome, Marie!
Hi! Can I change some of the banana for grated apple?
Also, does nutrition inc choc chips?
Thanks!
You can add grated apple, and yes it does 🙂
One of the pictures *does* say paleo, but I figure it was a genuine oversight. Just stumbled on this recipe, made it, came out amazing!
Hi.I’m new to baking. So new that this is the first time I’ve ever baked in my life! I didn’t like baking andbaked goods before because of all the unhealthy ingredients it usually calls for. I stumbled by your site by accident (I was actually looking for no bake desserts, of course). I came across this recipe and knew I just had to try it. It came out….. absolutely perfect! Thank you! Thank you! I love how healthy all your recipes are! I’ve been going over every single recipe you’ve ever posted for a few hours now….Every. Single. Recipe. Let’s just say I’m obssessed!
Ahh that means so much!
I am new to baking . I hated baking before, mainly because of all the unhealthy ingredients involved. Until I came across your site (for your no bake options, of course!). Now I’m obssessed with going through every single dessert recipe you’ve ever posted! I found this recipe and knew I just had to try it out.
It came out absolutely perfect! Thank you! Thank you!
Oh, and did I mention, this is the first time I’ve ever baked in my life!
Oh wow thanks so much for the positive feedback 🙂
Um. Oatmeal is not paleo. Mislabeling isn’t gonna up your readership.
Sure they tasty for the rest of you. Enjoy.
Hi Robin! This recipe never claims to be paleo friendly. 🙂
How do you calculate the macros/nutritional values in homemade baked goods? Do you use a food scale?
Hi Zacharie- I usually use an online calorie calculator, like myfitnesspal, to calculate.
Thanks. If i’m making protein bars how would I calculate the values using myfitness pal? Do I divide the number of calories from each ingredient by the amount of bars made?
Hi Zacharie, you would tally up one total amount then divide it by as many bars as you make from it!
Oh yeah!! I know pumpkin spice is a little too everywhere right now…but man, I can’t get tired of it! Love the International Delight Pumpkin Spice, and these banana bread bars sound like they need to happen ASAP. In fact, a mid-morning snack could be in order, yes? Rock it, inner basic white boy, rock it. 🙂
Haha, rocking it like a BOSS!
Literally banana bars and coffee all day every! I know this post was directed towards me because I’m what you would call #basic lol! But these banana bread bars bring out my basic-ness ever more!
Haha, let’s be basic forever and ever.
Mmmm pumpkin spice. I’m currently right in the middle of my pumpkin obsession and I can’t get enough. I just ate a pumpkin spice Chobani flip at my desk. I love the pumpkin spice creamers because PSLs have waaaay too much sugar, so I can just get my fix that way.
FINALLY. This girl…eating berries and all things summer until last week.
I love how thick and dense these look!
Thank you!
These aren’t deceitful at all, Kristin- It sounds like you made an error or used poor quality ingredients. I haven’t made these with almond flour. Thousands have made this recipe and tagged me in photos and it looks the same.