Irresistible Banana Oatmeal Bars: Healthy Snack Delight!
These Irresistible Banana Oatmeal Bars are a perfect blend of taste and nutrition, making them an ideal snack for any time of the day. With the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and the hearty goodness of oats, they are sure to satisfy your cravings without the guilt.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Ripe Bananas
- Rolled Oats
- Nut Butter (almond butter or peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter for nut-free version)
- Honey or Maple Syrup (or agave syrup as a substitute)
- Dried Fruits and Nuts (chopped walnuts and raisins, or any other dried fruits or nuts)
- Spices (cinnamon, vanilla extract, and optional nutmeg or ginger)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Stir in the nut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, mix the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and any other spices you choose.
- Mix Together: Gradually combine the dry mixture with the wet mixture. Stir until just combined, then fold in your choice of dried fruits and nuts.
- Pour and Spread: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Press down firmly to ensure it holds together during baking.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out and cut them into squares or rectangles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Customize your add-ins by adding chocolate chips or seeds like chia or flax. Monitor baking time as oven temperatures can vary, and make ahead for meal prep.