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3 Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

These 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal bars are possibly the easiest thing I have ever made outside a bowl of cereal. Seriously, it doesn’t get any easier than this! It only takes 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time. They’re a great breakfast, simple snack, or healthy dessert option, and perfect as part of a breakfast spread for overnight guests or holidays.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 3 ingredients, bananas, oatmeal, peanut butter
Servings: 9

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas mashed
  • 2 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas using fork tines. Add the peanut butter and oatmeal to the bowl. Using a wooden spoon, stir until well combined.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly using a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with chocolate chips (if using). Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.
  • Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting in squares and serving.

Notes

  • Check the label of the oats to ensure they are gluten free if required.
  • Add some dark chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or butterscotch chips. Use dairy-free chips like the ones from Enjoy Life to keep it dairy free.
  • If not everyone likes chocolate, only add them to half the pan.
  • Mix in a small handful of chia seeds or flax seeds for a healthy boost.
  • Add some chopped nuts or use crunchy peanut butter for a great texture component.
  • Use almond butter, cashew butter or sunflower seed butter if you have a peanut allergy.
  • “Natural” peanut butter usually has more oil than regular peanut butter, so you may need additional oats.
  • You can experiment with different flavoring extracts like almond or vanilla extract. But flavoring extracts are very concentrated, so be careful not to use too much.
  • Using parchment paper in the pan saves having to clean the pan and makes it easy to lift the bars out of the pan.
  • Spread the bar mix evenly in the pan so it cooks evenly.
  • Allow the bars to cool a little before attempting to lift them from the pan. I like to give it 10 minutes or so.