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My sweet and chewy banana protein bars are the ultimate post-workout treat or midday snack. Made with simple ingredients, they pack in 20 grams of protein.
Looking for more high-protein snacks? Try my cookie dough protein bars, protein granola bars, homemade protein bars, and coconut protein bars next.
If you’ve been wondering what to do with those sad browning bananas at the bottom of your fruit bowl, consider making my banana nut protein bars.
Unlike store-bought ‘banana-flavored’ protein bars, mine actually contain bananas. They also have a healthy dose of protein, making them a no-brainer when you need a delicious, nutritious post-workout treat.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Less than 10 minutes to make. Healthy treats shouldn’t take a lot of time to prepare, and these bars need only 10 minutes of your time.
- A no-bake recipe. Yet you’d never guess by how soft and chewy they are!
- Nutrient-dense. They have over 20 grams of protein per bar and zero added sugar. They’re also naturally vegan and gluten-free!
- So much banana flavor. I never see banana bread flavored protein bars–so I made my own!
Ingredients needed
- Coconut flour. Works perfectly for no-bake recipes and gives the bars a cake-like texture.
- Oat flour. Similar to coconut flour, it is completely safe to use oat flour in no-bake recipes. I used my homemade oat flour (it’s cheaper and so easy…seriously).
- Protein powder. Use vanilla-flavored protein powder as it adds sweetness, along with a lovely subtle vanilla flavor.
- Brown rice syrup. To sweeten the bars and help all ingredients stick together.
- Cinnamon. To add extra flavor to these banana protein bars. You can also use maple syrup.
- Almond butter. Homemade almond butter or store-bought. If you don’t have almond butter, use any other nut butter.
- Mashed banana. The browner, the better, as those are the sweetest.
- Nuts. Chopped nuts of your choice. I used walnuts, but this is completely optional.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk but use whichever you have on hand.
- Granulated sweetener (optional). Use it if you want the protein bars to be sweeter.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make banana protein bars
Step 1- Prep. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2- Combine the dry ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients.
Step 3- Mix dry and wet ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the almond butter and brown rice syrup. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and combine. Fold in the banana, followed by the nuts. Using a spoon, add the milk one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter forms.
Step 4- Chill and slice. Transfer the batter to the baking pan and press down firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, then slice into 12 bars.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the consistency. Depending on the size of the bananas, sometimes I need to add a little more flour to compensate. The texture of the batter should be firm but moldable.
- Experiment with mix-ins, like chocolate chips, dried fruit, or chia seed gel.
- Use a blender instead. It’s important that the bananas be completely mashed, so consider using a blender to get them super smooth.
Storage instructions
To store: These bars will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. If you want to keep them fresher for longer, refrigerate them for up to 1 month.
To freeze: Place leftover bars in a freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t have fresh bananas, feel free to substitute them with banana-flavored baby food or even unsweetened applesauce.
More protein bar recipes
- Snickers protein bar
- Oatmeal protein bars
- Carrot cake protein bars
- Chocolate protein bars
- Or any of my protein powder recipes
Banana Protein Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups oat flour
- ½ cup coconut flour Can sub for almond or more oat flour
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 2 tablespoon sugar optional*
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup almond butter can sub for any nut butter
- ½ cup brown rice syrup or maple syrup
- 1 small banana mashed
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts optional
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Line an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, protein powder, sugar and cinnamon, and mix well.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the almond butter and brown rice syrup and heat until melted. Pour the wet mixture into the dry and mix well. Add the banana and mix until combined. Stir through nuts if desired. Using a spoon, add the milk one spoonful at a time until a thick, firm batter is formed.
- Transfer to the lined baking dish and press down firmly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, before slicing into 12 bars.
Which nut butter is go the best here?
Love these for a quick and easy snack!
Bananas in the shape of protein bars should be amazing. I was always searching for flavour of banana when I was buying protein bars. Really interesting.
Bananas are my favourite fruit. But I always eat
Only banana. I can try this recipe!
Could I substitute some of the flour for additional protein powder, so pack a little more punch?
You can try
No nutritional info for these? How can I work out the nutritional information?
You can use myfitnesspal to calculate any recipe you like! Enjoy!
Do you know how many carbs are in each bar approximately?
Thanks
Hi Donna! It depends on which ingredient brands you use, so double check via myfitnesspal 🙂 Enjoy!
Thanks so much for this recipe! My son LOVES these bars. I have to make a batch almost weekly because he eats them so fast but it’s a snack I am happy to oblige 🙂 I use Pea Protein and agave and they work great. Keep the recipes coming!
Lori! 🙂 Thanks so much for your feedback and that your son is a fan- I really appreciate it!
Well aren’t you a joy?! I can’t wait to try this recipe… and I actually ENJOYED your words and didn’t just automatically scroll to the bottom for the recipe like I do most other blogs.
Hahaha that means so much, Heather 🙂
The oven never works properly for making a banana ‘ripe’ but if you put it in the microwave 30 seconds at a time it’s always worked! Usually takes about 1.5 -2 mins
Ohhh thanks so much for the suggestion 🙂
Hi! How many bars does the recipe make?
Hi Jillian! these made around 9 decent sized bars 🙂
ok – slightly confused…if I use coconut flour do I just use 1 1/2 cup?? That’s what it looks like….just want to get it right can’t wait to make them for the kids for next weeks breakfast 🙂 Thanks for yummy ideas 😉
Hi there! You’d use a total of 1 1/2 cups (the 1 cup to replace the 2 cups of oat flour) AND the extra 1/2 cup- You’ll probably see that you need a little more dairy free milk too 🙂 Enjoy and thank you- I’m envious of your kids! 😀
I made them….I like them…I will make them again 🙂 Thanks!!!! and I did have to add a bit more coconut milk but I get it and they are easy. I think next time I will add a bit more banana and some cacao nibs 😉 mmmmmm Thanks again, love all the fun ideas <3
Just made a batch of these this morning. I am so glad I did! I baked half of them just to see how they would turn out. Both the no bake and the baked are delicious! I have just about decided yours is the only food blog I need!
thanks for all the great recipes. They are all so quick and easy!
Ashley
Ashley, that is so kind of you- Thanks for the feedback- I love baking them too when I want something a little firmer 😀
Just put my first batch in the fridge 🙂 Assuming these have to be stored in the fridge, about how long do they keep? Thank you!
Hi Jess! These keep really well when refrigerated or even frozen- Definitely a week or even more 🙂
You blew up a banana?! I’m Lolololololing at you right now 😛 But to be fair, I tried the oven banana thing, and while it definitely makes them brown, I’m not quite sure it makes them any sweeter. I have the same issues with bananas refusing to ripen in the Great White North 😥
We need a stash of permanent brown bananas for LIFE!
And to think you used to hate fruit. Silly boy, bananas are the bomb.
You can stick them in a brown bag to speed up the ripening process.
I know 🙁 I suck at life.
Who cares what color these are, they’d still taste amaaaaazing.
🙂 Thanks, J!
ahhh need to make these asap!
Please do, Susel 🙂
Oh wow, these look amazing! What a genius idea! 🙂
Thanks so much, Sina!
These look awesome Arman and I love the fact that it’s not like 50% nut butter that so many of these DIY bars are…. You know how expensive nut butter is here! Ha!
I don’t think there is a hack…. Unless you want to move back to the sunshine. I popped my bananas by the window for a couple of hours and boom ripe nanars for the win!
Right? So expensive!
I love the color of these bars! Plus, as long as they taste good, I’m not too picky when it comes to the looks. 😉
I like your style! 🙂
Banana + apple + plastic bag = speedy ripening. Let the fruit get cozy in the bag and you’ll laugh at your evil oven. I used to do that regularly when supermarkets around seemed to be out of ripe bananas every time I stopped by.
Oh thanks for that!
Banana bread is my absolute favorite!! And thanks for the tip on the bananas in the oven lol I can’t imagine the mess!!!
Haha for sure! Thank you!
Haha! I’ve totally seen that Pinterest hack about bananas, too. And now I won’t try it thanks to you! I appreciate the little things you do, mate…like checking these Pinterest hacks out to see whether they are legit or not. You should try some more!
Dude, seriously, it was like a banana explosion!
So much love for bananas going on today!
There is always love for bananas- Except my silly fruit basket right now!
Love this unique twist, despite the Pinterest fail 😉
Thanks so much, Cate! 🙂
LOL. It’s a running joke in our family about what you read on the internet…just because you read it on the internet doesn’t make it true. Whoever is doubting whatever is being said pulls that out. There are times it is annoying. But obviously it is true. 🙁 Your Pinterest fail makes for a funny story though! Regardless, your banana bars look absolutely wonderful!
That could not be any more true- Thanks so much, Michelle. I think there is even a site dedicated to these fails!
I never let my bananas get ripe! The second I see spots on them I freeze them haha. That being said, I would’ve thought singing to them would work…
You totally should. If you screech like Mariah Carey, they ripen even faster!
I’ll be super annoying and suggest that you should have waited to share this recipe until you have access to riper bananas in California – just saying 😉
I love the sound of these. The best about it is that I won’t have to share with Stefan. He despises bananas. Making those tomorrow!
Hahahahahaha I’m sorry! WHAT?! He doesn’t like bananas? Well, neither did I until recently 🙂
I would like to see (and hear) you singing to those bananas, Arman. The bars are still lovely. And I wish I had that delicious stack for breakfast!
It was amazing, like Mariah Carey screeching. 🙂
I hear you on the bananas! I buy the ripest ones I can find when I want them for a recipe and then stick them in the sun and pray 🙂
Haha, it is so inconvenient sometimes!
Do I have the carb, protein and fat grams for this?
I don’t, but feel free to calculate it using an online calculator 🙂