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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    By: Allie Petersen · Dated: January 31, 2023·Last Modified: June 1, 2023 ·This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. ·

    Chewy & Soft Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

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    These soft peanut butter banana oatmeal bars are sweet and delicious with melty mini chocolate chips and a peanut butter drizzle. They are perfect for breakfast or snack!

    This is a photo of a peanut butter banana oatmeal bar with a peanut butter drizzle.

    Why you'll love this:


    • EASY: Mix up the ingredients in one bowl and bake. They're perfect for a quick breakfast in the morning!
    • HEALTHY: These bars are filled with healthy ingredients with fiber, healthy fats, no refined sugar and vitamins and minerals from bananas and flaxseed.
    • GREAT FOR MEAL PREP: Make these healthy oatmeal breakfast bars ahead of time (you could even make a double batch) and store in fridge or freezer.
    • VEGAN, DAIRY-FREE, AND GLUTEN-FREE: Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats

    These are my favorite oat bars of all time! I love the mixture of the salty peanut butter, chewy oats, sweet banana and chocolate chips. They're so good you won't want to have just one (I definitely didn't!). Eat these bars for breakfast, a post workout snack, healthy dessert, or an easy snack in the afternoon.

    Transform your oats into these delicious vegan banana oat muffins! Or try out Blueberry Crisp Granola Bars.

    Our Favorite Sweet Breakfasts

    • This is a photo of no bake peanut butter energy balls in a bowl.
      No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls
    • Fluffy Vegan Coffee Cake Muffins
    • Easy 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Muffins
    • This is a photo of raspberry cheesecake oat milk chia pudding.
      Easy Oat Milk Chia Pudding (With 3 Flavors)

    Ingredients

    • Old-fashioned oats: These type of oats create the perfect chewy texture and I don't recommend substituting with quick oats or steel cut oats.
    • Bananas: Use 2 ripe med-large bananas for this recipe. They can be slightly overripe if you want a sweeter banana oatmeal bar.
    • Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter (natural, unsalted). If you are using salted peanut butter, omit the salt in the recipe. You could also try crunchy peanut butter for texture in these bars!
    • Ground Flaxseed: This not only helps bind the ingredients, but it also adds some natural omega's to the healthy oatmeal bars!
    • Plant milk: Use a plant-milk such as soy or almond. I recommend unsweetened unless you want slightly sweeter bars.
    • Maple Syrup: You don't need a lot of maple syrup to give these bars a subtle caramelized sweetness. If you don't have maple syrup you can use agave or honey if you're not vegan.
    • Chocolate Chips: I love mini dark chocolate chips in this recipe! You can use regular sized ones as well. For a dairy-free chocolate chip I use Enjoy Life brand. If you want a healthier breakfast bar you can omit the chocolate chips.
    • Cinnamon: Because who doesn't love a little cinnamon with their oats? If you want another delicious recipe with cinnamon try out these cinnamon roll overnight oats!
    • Vanilla Extract: A subtle vanilla flavor melds well with the sweetness of the bars
    • Salt: A small amount of salt balances the sweet flavors.
    This is a photo of ingredients for the recipe.

    Equipment

    • Medium mixing bowl
    • Parchment paper
    • Wooden Spoon
    • 8x8 glass baking dish
    This is a photo of a stack of the bars.

    How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

    This is a photo of smashed bananas in a bowl.

    Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350 F. In a large bowl add in bananas and mash until there are no large lumps.

    *I've found using a potato masher works amazing for mashing bananas.

    This is a photo of oatmeal bars batter.

    Step 2: Add in other wet ingredients to the mashed bananas: non-dairy milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and peanut butter. Mix until combined.

    This is a photo of banana oatmeal bars batter with oats added.

    Step 3. Add in dry ingredients: oats, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until combined.

    This is a photo of pb banana oatmeal bar batter with choc chips added.

    Step 4: Fold in chocolate chips.

    This is a photo of pre-cooked pb banana oatmeal bars.

    Step 5: In a parchment-lined prepared baking pan press oatmeal mixture in evenly using a spoon.

    *If you don't have parchment paper you can use non-stick cooking spray

    Step 6: Bake oatmeal bars for ~25 minutes. The cooked bars will still be slightly soft but have a golden brown top. Let sit for 30 minutes before cutting. Drizzle warmed peanut butter on top if desired.

    Storage and Reheating

    Storage: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container with parchment paper between each bar. 

    Reheating: Reheat the bar in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or until center is warm.

    FAQ

    Can I use almond butter instead of peanut butter in this recipe?

    Yes, almond butter is an easy swap in this recipe if you don't like peanut butter or just want a new flavor!
    Sunflower butter would also be a delicious swap in these bars too for a nut-free bar.

    Can I freeze peanut butter oatmeal bars?

    Yes, you can freeze these bars. Once the bars have cooled completely, cut them into squares and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Separate each layer of bars with a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.
    When ready to eat, let them thaw to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before eating (you may still need to pop in the microwave for a few seconds- these bars taste best warm!)

    Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

    Yes, you can use quick oats but they have a different texture that old-fashioned oats. The bars will likely be softer and less chewy.

    What else can I add to these peanut butter banana oatmeal bars?

    There are lots of fun additions for these bars!

    Nuts: walnuts, pecans, pumpkin seeds or almonds for a crunch
    Fruit: blueberries, raspberries, or cherries for fun new flavor
    Seeds: chia, hemp, pumpkin, and more!

    This is a photo of a close up of the banana peanut butter oatmeal bars.

    PRO TIPS


    • Use overripe bananas for sweeter bars.
    • Let your bars cool for at least 30 minutes before cutting.
    • These bars taste the BEST warmed up! Heat it up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before eating and drizzle on some more peanut butter.
    • If you want to make these bars even healthier, omit the maple syrup and chocolate chips. Use bananas that are overripe to add natural sweetness.

    Try out these other tasty breakfasts or snacks:

    • Salted Caramel Energy Bites (No Coconut)
    • This is a photo of no bake peanut butter energy balls in a bowl.
      No-Bake Peanut Butter Energy Balls
    • Easy 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Muffins
    • Fluffy Vegan Coffee Cake Muffins

    ▶︎Love oats? Try out these Creamy Apple Pie Overnight Oats!

    ♡ Did you love this recipe? ♡

    Leave a ⭐️rating and ✏️comment below (I love to read them!) Tag us on Instagram with a photo or video of your dish 📸 @naturallieplantbased.

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    Chewy & Soft Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

    Allie Petersen
    These soft and chewy peanut butter banana oatmeal bars will be your new favorite breakfast or snack!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Snack
    Servings 9 bars
    Calories 283 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 large bananas mashed (~ 1 cup mashed) Use overripe bananas for a sweeter bar
    • ½ cup peanut butter unsalted (if salted decrease amount of salt below)
    • ÂĽ cup maple syrup
    • â…“ cup non-dairy milk such as almond or soy
    • 2 ½ cups old fashioned oats
    • 2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • ½ cup mini chocolate chips dairy-free (can substitute for regular sized chocolate chips)

    Topping (Optional)

    • Warmed peanut butter drizzle

    Instructions
     

    • Start by preheating your oven to 350 F. In a large bowl add in bananas and mash until there are no large lumps.
    • Add in other wet ingredients: non-dairy milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and peanut butter. Mix until combined.
    • Add in dry ingredients: oats, ground flaxseed, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until combined.
    • Fold in mini chocolate chips.
    • In a parchment lined 8x8 glass pan spread mixture evenly.
    • Bake for ~25 minutes. Mixture will still be slightly soft but will become firmer as it sits. Let rest for 30 minutes before cutting.
    • Drizzle with warmed peanut butter if desired.

    Notes

    Storage:Layer parchment paper between bars to prevent sticking and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.  If freezing, make sure to cut the bars into squares and layer parchment paper between. Let thaw for 30 minutes before eating (or speed it up by putting in the microwave for 10-15 sec)  
    Other additions:
    • Nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc)
    • Fruit (blueberries, raspberries, etc) -- Like a PB & J bar!
    • Seeds (chia, hemp, etc)
    MORE TIPS:
      • I use Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips in this recipe. 
      • You can omit the chocolate chips if you want a healthier bar.
      • You can use overripe bananas for sweeter bars.
      • Reheat your bar before eating for 10-15 seconds in the microwave.
     
    •  
    Calorie count disclaimer: Naturallie Plant-Based offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although Naturallie Plant-Based attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 283kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 205mgPotassium: 303mgFiber: 4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Comment below & tag @naturallieplantbased on Instagram!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karissa says

      February 13, 2023 at 1:52 pm

      5 stars
      These breakfast bars are delicious and easy to make! The ingredients were simple and I already had everything on hand. I will be making these again! Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • Allie Petersen says

        February 14, 2023 at 11:27 am

        So glad you enjoyed it Karissa! It's one of my favorites too 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Allie! I'm so glad you're here! I'm a plant-based recipe creator, food photographer, and popcorn lover. Here you will find quick healthy vegan recipes that are perfect for the busy individual!

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