Treat yourself to a delicious, healthy snack that you can make in minutes! These Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are gluten-free, dairy-free, and packed with flavor. They’re made with just a handful of simple ingredients, and they make a satisfying snack or meal prep breakfast!

Stack of banana peanut butter oatmeal bars

I love creating nutritious snacks that leave me feeling satisfied and also taste like a treat. My banana snack cake and peanut butter granola definitely fit the bill!

These Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars also check all the boxes. I started making them years ago when I wanted my boys to have a healthy after school snack, and they quickly became a favorite.

They’re packed with wholesome rolled oats, banana, peanut butter and some dark chocolate chips for good measure, and there’s no refined sugar, dairy or gluten.

I love that they’re versatile enough to serve for snacks and breakfast, and they double as a sweet treat.

They’re also incredibly easy to whip up, which is probably why I make them so often.

If you’re not in the mood to bake, be sure to check out my no bake peanut butter bars! They’re just as satisfying and you don’t even need to turn on the oven. 🙂

Banana peanut butter oatmeal bars with peanut butter and banana on top
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Why you’ll love this recipe:

  • These Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are completely crave worthy with whole grain rolled oats, creamy peanut butter, banana and chocolate chips.
  • They include just a few ingredients and come together in about 10 minutes.
  • They’re dairy and gluten-free, and can be customized with ingredients that you have on hand.
  • The bars are extremely versatile and can be enjoyed for breakfast, snacks and even dessert.

Recipe ingredients

banana peanut butter oatmeal bars recipe ingredients

Ingredient notes

  • Rolled oats. Be sure to opt for old fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Quick oats may be used in a pinch, but steel cut oats will not work in this recipe.
  • Banana. Ripe bananas lend natural sweetness to the bars and also act as a binding agent. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter your bars will be.
  • Peanut butter. Adds protein and healthy fats, and is an essential ingredient. For best results, use natural peanut butter with no added sugar. It may be substituted with your favorite nut butter or sun butter.
  • Oil. Use whatever type of oil that you have on hand.
  • Maple syrup. Substitute the maple syrup with honey if desired.
  • Egg. The egg acts as a binder in the oat bars.
  • Baking powder. Provides leavening in the bars.
  • Chocolate chips. Optional but highly recommended! Use your favorite variety.

How to make banana peanut butter oat bars

These banana peanut butter oat bars include just a few ingredients and they take about 10 minutes of prep time!

Pro tip: Use natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain added sugar or salt, as this will allow you to control the amount of sugar and sodium. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter may be used.

See the recipe card below for full instructions.

How to make peanut butter oat bars
  1. Place the peanut butter in a large microwave bowl and heat for 20 – 30 seconds until melted (add the coconut oil as well if it is in solid state). Whisk well to combine.
  2. Add the banana, maple syrup, egg and baking powder to the bowl and whisk until incorporated.
  3. Stir in the oats until they’re coated evenly with the banana mixture, then stir in the chocolate chips.
  4. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden brown and set.
Peanut butter oat bars cut into squares in baking dish

Recipe FAQs

Are banana peanut butter oat bars a healthy snack?

These banana peanut butter oat bars are packed with wholesome ingredients, no refined sugar and oils, and are a good source of protein and fiber. They’re low in sugar and are dairy and gluten-free as well.

They do include roughly 22 grams of carbohydrates per bar, so if you are diabetic or are following a low carb diet, it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor to find out if this recipe is right for you.

Are peanut butter oatmeal bars gluten-free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they are often processed in facilities that also process wheat. In short, be sure that your rolled oats are certified gluten-free if you are gluten intolerant.

How long do oatmeal bars last?

Store peanut butter oatmeal bars at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Can I freeze these bars?

Peanut butter banana oatmeal bars may be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, cut the bars into squares and store in a Stasher or zip top bag. To thaw, place the bars in the refrigerator overnight.

Banana peanut butter oat bars with peanut butter drizzle

Customize this recipe

You can easily customize these peanut butter banana oat bars to suit your taste and/or dietary preferences.

  • Swap out the chocolate chips with your favorite chopped fresh fruit, dried fruit, chopped nuts, seeds or coconut.
  • Sub the peanut butter with your favorite nut butter or make them nut free by using sun butter.
  • Spice them up with a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, cardamom, chai spice mix or pumpkin pie spice.
  • Sub the banana with homemade pumpkin purée or homemade applesauce. Note that the texture may vary slightly!
  • Serve them as a snack, as breakfast bars or as a sweet treat drizzled with extra peanut butter and sliced banana.

Recipe notes

  • Pro tip: Use natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain added sugar or salt, as this will allow you to control the amount of sugar and sodium. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter may be used.
  • Make sure you use ripe bananas. The riper the bananas are, the sweeter and more flavorful they will be, and the easier they will mash.
  • Baking time may vary depending on your oven. Check for doneness after 20 minutes and go from there.
  • Store bars in an air tight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Stack of peanut butter banana oatmeal bars

More easy snacks you’ll love!

Did you try this recipe?  If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram

Stack of banana peanut butter oatmeal bars

Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Servings: 20 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Additional Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars are a healthy, satisfying snack that the entire family will love! They come together with just a few simple ingredients and they're dairy and gluten-free!
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Ingredients

  • 1 cup peanut butter creamy or crunchy; see notes
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil or your favorite oil
  • 2 large ripe bananas mashed (about 1 cup)
  • 1/3 cup maple syrup sub with honey
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats quick oats may be subbed but they will have less texture
  • 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips or your favorite

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9×13" baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Place the peanut butter in a large microwave bowl and heat for 20 – 30 seconds until melted. If the coconut oil is in solid state, heat it with the peanut butter. If not, add it with the banana in the next step.
    1 cup peanut butter, 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • Add the banana, maple syrup, 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.
    2 large ripe bananas, 1/3 cup maple syrup, 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 3 1/2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup mini dark 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

  • Pro tip: Use natural peanut butter that doesn’t contain added sugar or salt, as this will allow you to control the amount of sugar and sodium. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter may be used.
  • Make sure you use ripe bananas. The riper the bananas are, the sweeter and more flavorful they will be, and the easier they will mash.
  • Baking time may vary depending on your oven. Check for doneness after 20 minutes and go from there.
  • Store bars in an air tight container at room temperature for 3-5 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 221kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 5g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 49mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 8g

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.

Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American
Author: Marcie
All recipes and images © Flavor the Moments.
Did you try this recipe?Be sure to tag @flavorthemoments with the hashtag #flavorthemoments on Instagram so I can see what you made!

**This post was originally published in April 2016. The photos have been updated to include step by step photos, and the text has been modified to include more recipe information.

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