Here’s a healthy and delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars. You only need a handful of ingredients for this snack which also makes a great dessert. This recipe can be made gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

Closeup of sliced oatmeal banana bars on a metal sheet pan.

Peanut butter, bananas, oats, and chocolate – these are all favorite ingredients on their own, but have you ever combined them?

These make some very sweet treats that can be served as a healthy dessert or even as a quick breakfast.

Why You Need This Recipe

  • The familiar flavors will be a hit with kids of all ages. With wholesome ingredients, you can feel good about serving them to people of all ages. These Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars are a healthy snack low in added sugar.
  • Make these ahead and freeze the pre-cut bars for easy snacks and breakfast.
  • Overripe bananas are naturally sweet so only a touch of pure maple syrup is necessary. Extra chocolate chips add amazing chocolate flavor and sweetness too!

Key Ingredients

Ingredients to make banana oat bars in bowls on a white surface.
  • Bananas are an excellent ingredient for these banana peanut butter oat bars. When ripe, they add natural sweetness so that you don’t need to add a lot of extra sugar.
  • Maple syrup adds a bit more sweetness and the perfect flavor.
  • Rolled oats are full of fiber and give just the right texture to these bars. Use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats or steel cut oats. And, be sure to use gluten-free rolled oats if you want these bars to be gluten-free.
  • Peanut butter is a classic flavor, especially paired with banana and chocolate. This also adds some healthy fats to the granola bars. You can use creamy peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter, but try to use a natural peanut butter with no added sugar or oils.
  • Dark chocolate chips add just enough extra sweetness to make these peanut butter oatmeal bars a real treat.
  • Vanilla extract adds depth of flavor.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Recipe Substitutes

  • Don’t want to use peanut butter? You can use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or pumpkin seed butter instead.
  • For best results, try to use ripe bananas.
  • If you want this recipe to be dairy-free, be sure to choose dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips.

Recipe Steps

Process collage on making peanut butter bars.

Step One

Preheat the oven and line a baking dish with parchment paper. Mash the banana well with a fork or potato masher in a large bowl. Some chunks of fresh banana are fine, but try to get the sweet banana fairly smooth.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Add the remaining wet ingredients and dry ingredients (except chocolate chips) and stir well to combine.

Spread in prepared baking dish.

Step Three

Spread out the batter, then top with chocolate chips. Bake, cool, and serve!

Serve warm or at room temperature. You won’t believe that you can make such an easy snack with simple ingredients.

These banana peanut butter bars are perfect for back-to-school as an easy recipe for breakfast or after school.

They’re a great option for kids and teens to grab something healthy before or after sports practice too.

A metal baking dish lined with parchment and filled with banana oat bars.

Recipe Tips

  • Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost before serving.
  • You can make this recipe vegan by swapping out the egg with an egg replacer.
  • Add a scoop of your favorite unsweetened protein powder to transform these bars into a protein-fueled treat. Here are my favorite clean protein powders.

Recipe FAQs

How can I customize Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars?

Try using nuts for part of the chocolate chips. Mix different varieties of chocolate, such as white and dark. Try dried fruit as well! You can also use applesauce in place of the mashed bananas.

Are these no bake oatmeal bars?

This recipe is designed to be baked until the tops are golden brown.

A wooden spatula holding up a peanut butter bar over a pan.

More Healthy Snacks You Might Like

Don’t Miss These Banana Recipes!

Dairy-Free Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips

Dairy-Free Banana Pudding From Scratch

Air Fryer Banana Fritters Recipe (Gluten-Free)

Almond Flour Banana Muffins Without Milk

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

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Closeup of sliced oatmeal banana bars on a metal sheet pan.

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars (Gluten-Free)

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5 from 1 review

Print Recipe

Here’s a healthy and delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars. You only need a handful of ingredients for this snack which also makes a great dessert. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 10 bars 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 2 ripe bananas
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (use gluten-free oats for gluten-free diets)
  • 1/2 cup natural peanut butter, at room temperature
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten (see notes for a vegan option)
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips (use dairy-free chocolate chips for dairy-free diets)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F. Spray an 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. Place the peeled bananas in a medium mixing bowl. Use the back of a fork to mash them well.
  3. Add the oats, peanut butter, egg, maple syrup, baking soda, and cinnamon. Stir together.
  4. Transfer the mixture into the baking dish and spread it out evenly. Top with the chocolate chips.
  5. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the bars have started to turn a golden brown.
  6. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. 

Notes

  1. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  2. These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost before serving.
  3. You can make this recipe vegan by swapping out the egg with an egg replacer.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar (1/10 of recipe)
  • Calories: 197
  • Sugar: 10.5 g
  • Sodium: 125.8 mg
  • Fat: 9.9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22.3 g
  • Fiber: 2.8 g
  • Protein: 5.4 g
  • Cholesterol: 18.6 mg

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About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition and is studying to be a holistic nutritionist. She is a top wellness and food blogger with over 5 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send her a message through her contact form.