Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars (Printable)

Chewy bars combining peanut butter, banana, and oats for a convenient energy boost without baking.

# What You Need:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - ½ cup creamy peanut butter
03 - ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

05 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
06 - ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
07 - ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, optional
08 - ¼ teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

# Directions:

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
03 - Add peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas; stir until fully incorporated.
04 - Mix in oats, salt, cinnamon, and optional nuts or chocolate chips until evenly combined.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or spatula.
06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to cut.
07 - Lift bars using the parchment overhang and slice into 12 portions; store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like a peanut butter cookie and a banana bread had a love child, minus the guilt.
  • No oven means you can make them while your kitchen stays cool, which is a lifesaver in summer.
  • One bar genuinely satisfies—the oats and peanut butter stick with you longer than you'd think.
  • They're forgiving enough that you can throw in whatever mix-ins you have rattling around in your pantry.
02 -
  • Don't skip the chilling time—the mixture will be crumbly if you try cutting before it's fully firm, and you'll end up with frustration instead of neat bars.
  • The texture improves after a day in the fridge; something about sitting overnight makes them chewier and more cohesive.
03 -
  • If your peanut butter is very thick, warm it slightly before mixing so it incorporates smoothly instead of staying in clumps.
  • Press the mixture into the pan with wet hands instead of a dry spoon—it prevents sticking and gives you better control over the final thickness.
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