Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars are flourless, contain no refined sugar and come together in less than 10 minutes in one bowl!
I like to make my own snacks to limit the amount of processed foods in the house, which you’ve probably heard me say over and over like a broken record (or every time I post a snack recipe anyway). 🙂 With two growing boys and a husband that eat me out of house and home, it’s hard to keep up. I’m sure most of you know what I’m talking about.
I’ve helped myself out by creating an ultra easy snack recipe with these Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars, and the best part? They double as breakfast bars and will even satisfy that ornery sweet tooth!
Take that from me…I’ve eaten them morning, post-workout and night. 🙂
These bars have morphed over time. They started out as breakfast cookie bars, then I started to make them even healthier by cutting down on the sweetener, flour and oil.
These bars are even healthier than breakfast cookies, and there’s no sacrifice in flavor or texture whatsoever.
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
The first few batches, I made these with about half oats and half whole wheat flour, and they still seemed a bit dry. Then I decided to use only oats, and that’s where these got magical. They were so soft with enough chewiness from the oats, and they were perfectly sweet for me.
I could’ve stopped right there, but I think you may agree that chocolate chips make everything better — especially when we’re dealing with peanut butter and banana?
Peanut butter, banana and chocolate are one of my favorite combinations, and I use them together as often as possible (see these muffins for proof).
These bars come together in 10 minutes or less, with a handful of ingredients, and only one bowl! They make it so much easier for me to stay on top of making homemade snacks, and the fewer packaged snacks we have around the house, the happier I am.
Needless to say the countless batches I made of these Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars was worth the effort. My kids ask for these all the time, and truly, they’re perfect for breakfast, snacks, and satisfying your need for something sweet.
These bars are wholesome, delicious, and are what healthier snacking is all about. 🙂
More healthy snacks that you’ll love!
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Apricot Almond Coconut Energy Bites
No Bake Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter*
- 1/4 cup coconut oil canola oil may be substituted
- 2 large ripe bananas mashed (about 1 cup)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup or your favorite sweetener
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips*
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13" baking dish with cooking spray.
- Place the peanut butter and coconut oil (if it's solidified) in a large microwave bowl and heat for 20 - 30 seconds until melted. Whisk well to combine.
- Add the banana, maple syrup, beaten egg and baking powder to the bowl and whisk until incorporated. Stir in the oats until they're coated evenly with the banana mixture, then stir in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown and set.
- Cool on a wire rack and cut into bars. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Store bars in an air tight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Customize bars to suit your taste using your favorite nut butter or add-ins like dried fruit or white chocolate.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
77 Comments on “Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oat Bars”
I love making my own snacks, too…especially when they’re healthier! These oat bars look fantastic, Marcie! I love the peanut butter and banana combo. I know I would devour these in no time, too. Such a great breakfast or snack!
You can never go wrong with peanut butter, banana, and chocolate, right? Thanks, Gayle!
I feel like I’m making snack food incessantly too – and constantly talking about how I hate to buy it but am always running out. Love these bars – healthy, filling and tasty, plus some chocolate? That’s basically the perfect snack!
It’s an endless cycle, isn’t it Stacey? At least these last for 2-3 days. haha Thanks, and have a great weekend!
Love these!! I have been looking for healthy snacks I can stash in the freezer for baby comes, and I think these would be perfect! I’ll definitely have to make them– they sound so yummy!
Thanks, Jess!
Did you just natural peanut butter in your recipe? It’s not specified in the list of ingredients.
Yes — I used natural peanut butter.
These oat bars look awesome! I am totally loving the PB & banana combo and how minimal the ingredients list is! 🙂 Pinning!
Thanks so much, Medha!
Making your own snacks is where it’s at… especially when they are delicious as this! Love these bars, Marcie! Love love love that they are healthy, but don’t sacrifice flavor! They looks seriously scrumptious! Plus you packed these babies with all the things delish! You make healthy snacking look good, my friend! I’ll take a dozen bars please! Cheers!
Homemade snacks are the best, especially with these ingredients! Thanks, Cheyanne, and I’m sending a dozen your way. 🙂
Gah peanut butter + banana + chocolate is just the best!! These look fantastic!
haha I always joke that my husband alone eats me out of the house! I am slightly scared for when we have kids!!!
Thank you so much! You’re right to be scared too, especially if you have a boy or two! haha Thanks, Ashley, and have a great weekend!
Marcie I am always looking for healthy snacks to keep at home and these sound so yummy! I love the addition of peanut butter & banana together! My favorite combo!
Thank you so much, Ami! 🙂
ooooh these looks so so incredible, Marcie! Love those gooey chocolate chips 🙂 I wish I could have one of these ASAP.
Hi Marcie, love chewy bars with oatmeal and peanutbutter in them, the chocolate chips make them extra special.
Chocolate makes everything more special, right? Thanks, Cheri!
Do these need to be refrigerated once they’re cooled?
Making them now!!
They don’t have to be but you certainly can refrigerate them!
I love healthier snacks like these bars! They look awesome! Great combination, I need to try them!
Thanks, Mira!
I think you must’ve made these just for me, Marcie, because they have all of my favorite ingredients! 😉 I love making homemade snacks, especially when they come together as quickly as these bars!
Yes I made them for you! ?. Thanks, Kristine!
I want one or five of these bars for breakfast RIGHT now!! Peanut butter, banana, and chocolate is one of my FAVORITE combos of all time, so how could you ever go wrong with these??
You just can’t go wrong with these! Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
Marcie – I am always looking for breakfast bars that double as snack bars that will satisfy my ornery sweet tooth! and these sound delightful! Love that you prevailed on – though your first few attempts sound pretty darm amazing too!
Thank you, Shashi! These bars are total multi-taskers! 🙂
This is amazing combo. Looks so healthy and delicious. Can;t wait to try this out!
Thanks, Kushi!
Wow! Peanut butter + banana + chocolate is the best!! This is such a beautiful and delicious combo. They look absolutely ah-mazing, Marcie. I wish I could have these for breakfast now!
I wish I could send you some Anu! Thank you! 🙂
These oat bars are delicious! Love PB and chocolate, it’s one of my favourite flavour combos! I’m always looking for healthy snack recipes, so I’ll definitely have to give these a try soon. 🙂
Thanks, Jess, and I hope you get to try them soon!
Peanut butter banana is such a great combination! I love having snacks like this on hand for when hunger hits!
Thanks, Jessica — so do I! 🙂
I always struggle at snack time! It’s so hard to find stuff that’s not just a waste of calories, but I also want to put as little effort into making it from scratch as possible. These bars look fantastic! Though I’ll need to hide some bananas to actually get them overripe – my daughter gobbles them up like crazy 😉
I’m really trying hard to make snacks that aren’t a waste of calories for my kids! You definitely should hide some bananas, haha — that’s what I do! 🙂
Thank you, Vivian!
Love that you combines peanut butter and banana in these bars Marcie. They look simply divine!
Thank you, Dannii, and yes — homemade snacks save so much money! 🙂
I almost always have overripe bananas laying around too! I love the idea of having something a little bit healthier than all those sugary treats we usually make! Saving this one!!
Thanks, Jamie!
These look so delicious! My kids constantly feel deprived because of my refusal to buy them processed snacks and treats. I’m guessing they wouldn’t feel deprived if I made these, though!
My kids love processed treats, but when these are around they definitely don’t miss them! Thanks, Cathy! 🙂
Just wanted to tell you how delicious these turned out! Once I cut them I threw them in the freezer and they are such a delicious any time snack, I don’t feel bad about eating one before bed! I’m going to experiment with adding a little ground flax to help with milk supply once our baby is born. Thank you!
Hi Monica! I’m so glad you enjoyed the bars, and thank you so much for taking the time to give me your feedback! Best wishes with the birth of your baby too — congrats!
OMG I love ❤️ the breakfast bars! They are sooo delicious ? and I can’t stop thinking about them!!!
Yay — I’m so glad you enjoyed them Lindsay! Thank you so much for the feedback! ?
Hello! I just made these and they smell amazing right out of the oven! I was just curious, how long do they last? Will the fridge make them fresher longer? And can I freeze them? Thank you!
Hi, Kaiti! I’ve kept them at room temperature in tupperware for up to 3-4 days — they’ve never lasted longer that! They would definitely keep about a week in the fridge. I’ve never frozen them so I can’t say for sure…I will have to try that! I hope you enjoy them!
Ok that’s perfect! Thanks Marcie! 🙂 I just had a bite and they are delicious!!
You’re so welcome and I’m glad you like them! 🙂
These turned out great!! I actually forgot to add the oil somehow and they’re still moist and delicious! I added half a tablespoon of cinnamon too 🙂
I’m so glad you liked these Megan and I’m glad to know that they still worked without the oil! Thank you so much for your feedback! 🙂
Do you think you could make cookies using the same recipe?
That’s a good question Lacey! I think since the batter is on the thick side that you definitely can try that. I would suggest checking them for doneness after about 7-8 minute. When they’re golden they should be done!
Good. Boyfriend wanted a snack and I wanted something sweet. Needed it to be easy to put together, I didn’t want to bring out the mixer.
I had everything on hand. Easy to put together as Marcie stated.
Bars are a bit dry, but I knew the recipe started as breakfast bars. I look forward to their consistency and how they taste tomorrow.
Thank you Marcie!
Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment Sandy! I hope you enjoy the bars!
These bars are THE BEST THINGS EVER! Perfect healthy snack for my immense pregnant appetite; perfect filling snack for hubby at work; and perfect future lunchkit snack for this baby boy in a few years! (p.s. I didn’t find the bars dry at all — quite the opposite! Chewy and moist and amazing!)
I’m so glad that you enjoyed the bars Caroline, and I appreciate your taking the time to leave your feedback. Thank you and congrats on your baby boy! 🙂
Can one use natural peanut butter in this recipe?
Yes! That’s what I always use. 😀
I have made these a couple times now. First time I added super sweet bicep cherries and they were the biggest hit at the party. This time I added chopped up strawberries and instead of chocolate chips I added cocoa powder. I also used sugar-free maple syrup so that they could be sugar free. They were not super sweet and it gave it more of a breakfast bar flavoring rather than a sweet treat. If you do Weight Watchers the cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips make them Four Points a bar
Thank you so much for your feedback Guinevere! I’m glad you’re enjoying the bars and I love your customizations! 🙂
I made these two days ago and they’re still very moist and delicious! I added chopped walnuts and used honey in place of maple syrup. They’re not too sweet and make a perfect no-guilt snack….once and a while they call for some guilt with white bean vanilla ice cream:Yum!
Your substitutions sound great and I’m so glad that you’re enjoying the bars! I’ve found that they keep well for up to 5 days (if they last that long)! Thanks for your feedback and I’ll have to try them a la mode in the future. 🙂
These are excellent!! Do you store them in the fridge or the counter?
I’m glad you like them Brittney! I store mine on the counter as they never last more than 5 days.
Good to know, I dont think mine will last that long even! Love this recipe!!
Thank you for your feedback Brittney — I appreciate it! 🙂
I have mazola corn oil or extra virgin olive oil in my cabinet right now. Would either of these work instead of the coconut oil?
Yes, any type of oil would work great!
Hi,
Trying to figure out if I can use extra virgin olive oil or corn Oil instead?
Oops sorry! Just noticed you did already reply!! Ha ha don’t mind me!!!
Any type of oil will work great!