I recently experimented with these Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars using mashed bananas, natural peanut butter, honey, eggs, and a mix of rolled oats and flour. The blend of ingredients, paired with a generous helping of chocolate chips, has sparked my curiosity about how this recipe will excite your palate.

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I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen lately and stumbled on this Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars recipe that caught my eye. Often when I see 3 overripe bananas just waiting to be transformed, I get excited about mixing things up.

I tossed in mashed bananas, a good half cup of natural peanut butter, a third cup of honey, along with 2 beaten large eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Then I combined them with a cup of old fashioned rolled oats, half a cup of all purpose flour, a teaspoon of baking soda and a dash of salt.

Finally, a cup of chocolate chips brought it all together. I know it might sound like a mouthful, but making these baked oatmeal bars with banana is a fun twist on peanut butter banana chocolate chip oatmeal bars and is perfect when you’re curious about something new.

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because the overripe bananas make everything so naturally sweet and moist, giving it that perfect banana flavor. I also dig how the peanut butter blends in, addin a rich, nutty taste that makes every bite exciting. The mix of oats and chocolate chips gives it a cool texture contrast, so it’s not just soft all the way through but has little bursts of crunch and chocolaty yumminess. Lastly, it feels kinda healthy since it’s made with real ingredients, yet feels like a real treat—like a little secret indulgence I can enjoy any day.

Ingredients

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A ripe banana supplies fiber, vitamins and natural sweetness, making the bars moist and flavorful.
Peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats, giving the bars a rich, nutty taste.
Honey is natures sweetener, boosting flavor with light carbohydrates and a smooth texture.
Old fashioned rolled oats offer fiber and slow-digesting carbs, providing energy and texture.
Chocolate chips deliver a melty, sweet surprise that makes every bite delightful and fun.

Ingredient Quantities

3 overripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup natural peanut butter

1/3 cup honey

2 large eggs, beaten

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a baking pan (an 8×8 inch pan works great).

2. In a large bowl, mash the 3 overripe bananas and stir in the 1/2 cup of natural peanut butter, 1/3 cup of honey, 2 beaten eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until well combined.

3. In another bowl, mix the 1 cup of old fashioned rolled oats, 1/2 cup all purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt.

4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently until just combined, try not to overmix or it might get tough.

5. Fold in the 1 cup of chocolate chips making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

6. Transfer the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula.

7. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a rack before cutting them into squares and serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 350°F)
2. 8×8 inch baking pan (remember to grease it)
3. Large mixing bowl (for mashing the bananas and mixing wet ingredients)
4. Another bowl (to combine the dry ingredients)
5. Fork or potato masher (for mashing the bananas)
6. Measuring cups and spoons (to accurately measure all your ingredients)
7. Spatula (to stir and evenly spread the batter in the pan)
8. Cooling rack (to let the bars cool completely)
9. Toothpick (to test if the bars are done)

FAQ

Can I use a different nut butter?

Sure, you can swap peanut butter with almond butter or even cashew butter, though peanut butter gives it the classic flavor.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yup, you can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all purpose flour but the texture might be a bit different.

What if my bananas arent overripe enough?

It's best to use mashed bananas that are really soft and overripe, that way they add enough sweetness & moisture.

Can I substitute the honey if I dont have any?

Yeah, you can try using maple syrup, but just note it might change the overall flavor a little.

How long do these bars last?

They last about 4-5 days in an airtight container at room temp, or up to a week if kept in the fridge.

Can i freeze these bars?

Yes, these bars freeze well. Just let them thaw at room temperature before eating so they regain the right texture.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

If you dont have natural peanut butter, try almond butter or cashew butter for a different nutty flavor.
Instead of honey, you can use maple syrup or even agave nectar. They work great and keep it sweet.
If you are out of eggs, mix 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water to replace one egg. Just give it a good stir and let it sit for a few mins.
You can swap old fashioned rolled oats with quick oats if needed but note the texture might be a bit different.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure you don’t overmix once you add the dry ingredients. Stirring just until the flour disappears helps the bars stay nice and soft instead of getting tough.
2. Keep an eye on your oven towards the end of the bake time. Every oven is different so check a few minutes early with a toothpick to avoid that dry, overcooked feeling.
3. Using ripe bananas really makes a difference. Mash them up well and give them a little extra stir so they blend into the mix, which in turn makes the peanut butter and honey mix more evenly.
4. For super easy clean up, consider lining your baking pan with parchment paper, so you can just lift the whole thing out once it’s cooled a bit.