Not only are these oatmeal banana breakfast bars moist and delicious, but they are so very easy to make! They’re the perfect breakfast option for busy mornings or a filling grab and go healthy snack. They even make a great dessert! You can also easily customize these delicious oatmeal bars to your personal tastes!
Why I Love This Recipe
I love making breakfast bars for my boys because they love eating them. I also love making them because they don't take a lot of time to put together, are packed with healthy ingredients, and absolutely delicious.
These oatmeal banana bars are soft and chewy and are also a lot healthier than the boxed stuff, so I know they’re better for my family.
You can also use this simple recipe to make all sorts of breakfast bars! Add some craisins or dried blueberries and a little lemon zest into the mix. Or sweeten things up a bit with some chocolate chips. These are just a few more reasons to love these.
- They are SOOO moist and delicious!
- I have to hide these healthy oatmeal bars in the back of the fridge or the entire pan will get eaten immediately.
- I love making a pan of these on Sunday, then serving for a quick breakfast throughout the week (hence having to hide them).
- Snack bars are a great way to use up those overripe bananas!
- Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, they’re healthier than a bowl of cereal.
Recipe Ingredients
These easy peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are made with simple ingredients you probably have in your kitchen.
Oats - old fashioned rolled oats are preferred. Check the product label for GF friendliness.
Flour - I use all-purpose flour. Gluten free all purpose flour, almond, or oat flour can be used for a GF variety.
Baking soda - use fresh (less than 6 months old) for the best result
Salt - any variety
Eggs - I use large, fresh eggs for my recipes.
Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar will both work.
Peanut butter - Use creamy peanut butter for a smooth texture or chunky for a crunchy texture
Butter - I love salted, but unsalted works too.
Honey - Honey and maple syrup can be used interchangeably, depending on what you have on hand.
Vanilla extract - Flavoring extracts are very concentrated, so be careful not to use too much
Bananas - Older, brown bananas are best for this recipe
How to Make Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bars
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2
In a large bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Mix these dry ingredients well.
Step 3
Add the eggs, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, honey and vanilla extract.
Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir the wet ingredients into the mixture until combined. Stir in the mashed banana.
Step 4
Spread the mixture evenly inside the prepared baking pan, using a rubber spatula to press into the corners.
Step 5
Bake on the center rack of the preheated oven for 23 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown around the edges.
Let the cooked bars sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully lift the parchment onto a flat surface and cut into squares.
How to Prep Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bars Ahead of Time
- The best way to prep this delicious recipe ahead is to make the bars in their entirety and store until ready to serve.
- OR - - You can make the batter, cover it well or place in an airtight container, refrigerate, and bake later (let the refrigerated batter sit at room temp for 20 minutes first before baking the banana oat bars).
Recipe Notes
- Add some dark chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips if you want a sweeter bar.
- Use dairy-free chips like the ones from Enjoy Life to keep it dairy free.
- Add a small handful of chia seeds or flax seeds for an even healthier option.
- Add a little bit of chopped nuts or use crunchy peanut butter for a great texture component.
- Use almond butter, cashew butter or another nut butter if you have a peanut allergy.
- Natural peanut butter usually has more oil than regular peanut butter, so you may need additional oats.
- I’ve made this recipe with and without PB. Both are great! You can omit the peanut butter entirely if desired.
- This recipe can be made healthier by replacing some (or all) of the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
Tips & Tricks
- Use old fashioned rolled oats for best results, but quick oats can be used if needed.
- Dark to almost black overripe bananas are perfect for this recipe. They have a great natural sweetness and are soft and blend in great with the batter.
- If you prep the batter ahead and refrigerate it, let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes before making the breakfast bars.
How to Serve Breakfast Bars
Serve these breakfast bars on their own as a grab and go breakfast option or as part of a larger breakfast. These are a few of my favorite options.
- They go great with a small bowl of fresh fruit or fruit salad.
- Serve them with scrambled eggs and bacon.
- Make a breakfast plate with these bars and some breakfast cookies and muffins.
- Great option for get-togethers and brunches.
- Eat them with smoothies or breakfast shakes.
How to Store Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
Store sliced oatmeal breakfast bars in an airtight container or well-sealing plastic bag in the fridge. Stored properly, refrigerated bars will be at their best for 5-7 days.
You can also freeze the individual sliced bars in a well-sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months. I like to put a piece of parchment or wax paper between so they don’t stick together when freezing.
What is a Breakfast Bar?
A breakfast bar is usually a base of oats mixed with other ingredients like nuts and fruit to make a dense batter. It is then baked, and sliced into bars.
How Long Do Oats Last in the Pantry?
Properly stored, oats will last at least a year in the pantry in their container. Oats stored in an airtight container can last almost twice as long.
Easy Recipes with Ripe Bananas
You can make so much more than banana bread with those ripe bananas sitting on the counter. Here are just a few great ideas!
- Banana Applesauce Pancakes
- Banana Carrot Muffins
- 3-Ingredient Banana Muffins
- Easy Applesauce Banana Muffins
- Banana Peanut Butter Breakfast Cookies
Breakfast Ideas With Oatmeal
- Steel Cut Oatmeal Bars
- Raisin and Spice Oatmeal
- Peach and Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
- Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
- 3-Ingredient Oatmeal Pancakes
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
- Avocado Toast with Roasted Tomatoes
- Fried Egg on Toast
- Scrambled Egg Bake
- Chorizo Breakfast Casserole
- Blueberry Granola Bar Recipe
Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup butter, melthed
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 bananas ripe, mashed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
- Add the eggs, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter, honey and vanilla. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture until combined. Stir in the mashed banana.
- Spread the mixture evenly inside the prepared pan, using a rubber spatula to press into the corners. Bake in the preheated oven for 23 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown around the edges.
- Let sit in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully lift the parchment onto a flat surface and cut into squares.
Notes
- Add some dark chocolate chips, mini chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips if you want a sweeter bar.
- Use dairy-free chips like the ones from Enjoy Life to keep it dairy free.
- Add a small handful of chia seeds or flax seeds for an even healthier option.
- Add a little bit of chopped nuts or use crunchy peanut butter for a great texture component.
- Use almond butter, cashew butter or another nut butter if you have a peanut allergy.
- Natural peanut butter usually has more oil than regular peanut butter, so you may need additional oats.
- I’ve made this recipe with and without PB. Both are great! You can omit the peanut butter entirely if desired.
- This recipe can be made healthier by replacing some (or all) of the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
Jan
Hi,
Just reading your oatmeal banana breakfast bars recipe it doesn't say how much butter to use, it has very thing else and the peanut butter but no butter.
Jan
Megan Porta
Hi Jan! Thank you so much for pointing this out. You need 1/4 cup butter melted. I've updated the ingredients list according.
Jill Edwards
I love these bars!! I made them on Monday night, so I wouldn't have to make the next morning. We all loved them. My mother-in-law really liked that there was not a lot of sugar in the bar, she is diabetic.
Jill Edwards
I absolutely LOVE the Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bars!!! OMG-the bars are real soft, which is great for me right now due swallowing problems. It is great with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee.