Banana Oatmeal Energy Bars

Banana oatmeal energy bars are the perfect snack to grab when you’re needing that extra boost of energy and craving something sweet! Eat them for breakfast, as a mid-morning snack or a sweet treat before bed.

Bananas are one of my favorite foods to keep on hand, yet they seem to over-ripen so quickly! Right now I have 3 bananas sitting on my counter and they are basically at their peak. With each day that passes by I look at them and am reminded that I need to put them to use.

A yummy loaf of moist banana bread is usually my go to. Or, some banana oat muffins. This time, however, I wanted to branch out and try something different! Recently I’ve been craving granola bars or little snacks that I can just grab and eat quickly.

So, the brainstorming began. What did I have on hand that I could combine with bananas? Of course a bigger question arose. What exactly am I going to make? Energy bars, of course! If you know me then you know I love to snack on these delicious energy balls. So, I was positive that these banana oatmeal bars would get eaten right up, too.

This recipe is so easy because it uses staple ingredients that most people have on hand. It uses up ripe or overripe bananas you may have forgotten about. Pantry items like peanut butter, honey, nuts and oats help create a creamy, chewy texture. Finally, add in some flavor with a variety of spices and you’ve got yourself delicious banana oatmeal energy bars!

Why you will love this recipe:

Quick-This recipe takes only a few minutes to whip up. The batter comes together quite easily and then the rest is hands free. All you need to do is let it bake!

Storage-The great thing about these energy bars is that they can be stored multiple different ways. Since there’s no eggs or dairy, you can sit these in an air-tight container on the counter for up to 4 days. To stay fresher longer, put them in the fridge for up to one week. Better yet, they can be frozen in an air-tight container anywhere from 3-6 months!

Snack friendly-Energy bars are a great snack option if you’re on the go or just need a slight boost of energy. Once you slice them they are already portioned out and can be grabbed for a snack at anytime.

Travel friendly-To truly make these like a “granola bar,” you can individually wrap each bar in aluminum foil or cling wrap. Individually wrapped bars are perfect for traveling wether it’s an overnight trip or a visit to the park for the day.

Healthy-This is a sweet energy bar that you can feel good about eating. You’re getting in whole grains, fiber, vitamins, minerals and healthy fats by adding these into your diet. Forget about the processed, over-sweetened granola bars you see at the store!

Tools you may need:

Fork (for mashing)

Large mixing bowl

Large spoon

Whisk

Spatula

Baking pan

Parchment paper

Ingredients you may need:

Peanut butter

almond butter

Flax seeds

Raw honey

Rolled oats

Ripe bananas

Nuts such as pecans, walnuts or almonds

Cinnamon

Vanilla

FAQs

Is oatmeal with banana good for you?

Both bananas and oatmeal are very good for you. So, when you eat them together you’re getting a lot of health benefits. Oats are high in fiber, whole grains and are great for your gut. Bananas improve blood sugar levels and are an excellent source of potassium.

How long do banana oat bars last in the fridge?

Banana oat bars last up to 7 days in the fridge if stored in an air tight container.

Can you freeze banana oat bars?

Yes! You can freeze banana oat bars in an air-tight, non-glass container for 3-6 months.

How to make banana oatmeal energy bars

Step 1, gather the ingredients. You’re going to need peanut butter, almond butter, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, flax seeds, chopped pecans, sliced almonds and rolled oats. Also, don’t forget the most important ingredient: bananas! Looking ahead, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8×8 baking dish with parchment paper.

To begin making the batter, peel the bananas and put them into a large mixing bowl. Then, use a fork to mash the bananas until there’s no longer big chunks. The texture should be mostly smooth with little chunks here and there.

After that you’re going to add in the other wet ingredients. This would be the honey, vanilla, almond and peanut butter. Use a whisk to fully incorporate these ingredients together. Once it’s mixed well the batter should be smooth and there should be no large chunks of either nut butter.

Thirdly, add in the rest of the ingredients. Fold in the dry ingredients with a large spoon or spatula. At this point, the batter should come together very nicely. It should be well balanced in texture-not overly runny or too thick. You’ll see that it should still be very spreadable.

Next comes the baking. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish over parchment paper. In order to make sure the batter is even, gently tap the pan on the counter a few times. Use a spatula to spread the top out evenly and to make it smooth. Bake the banana oatmeal energy bars at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars. Place them in an air tight container to store for up to a week or wrap them individually and freeze for 3-6 months. Enjoy them while they last!!

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