Baked Oatmeal Bars

These easy banana baked oatmeal bars are perfect for meal prep and satisfy morning cravings with just the right touch of sweetness. They come together quickly using everyday ingredients and bake into tender chewy bars you can enjoy for breakfast or snack time any day of the week.

The first time I tried these I tossed in chocolate chips for fun and my whole family asked if I could make a double batch next time. Now they are a staple whenever I have overripe bananas hanging around.

Ingredients

• Rolled oats: give structure and heartiness look for old fashioned oats for best texture
• Mashed banana: naturally sweetens and helps bind everything use very ripe bananas for the most flavor
• Water: makes the mixture moist and helps oats bake evenly filtered or spring water is nice if available
• Salt: brings out all the flavors choose fine sea salt if possible
• Pure maple syrup or your favorite liquid sweetener: adds a touch of indulgence opt for real maple and check for no added sugars
• Oil nut butter or extra water: ensures the bars are moist try virgin coconut oil or peanut butter for extra taste
• Pure vanilla extract: layers in that classic breakfast aroma use real vanilla for the richest flavor
• Optional chocolate chips or chopped nuts: add fun and texture try to choose high quality chocolate or fresh nuts from the bulk section

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Pan:

Line an eight inch pan with parchment paper or grease it well so the bars release easily later

Mix the Base:

In a large bowl combine the rolled oats mashed banana water salt maple syrup oil or nut butter and vanilla stir slowly until everything is evenly moistened and the banana is distributed

Add Extras:

If you want chocolate chips or nuts fold them in now and give the mixture a good last stir to spread them out

Bake to Perfection:

Pour the oat mixture into your pan and smooth it flat with a spatula push the mix into the corners then sprinkle more chocolate chips on top if you like

Gentle Bake and Rest:

Place the pan in the oven and bake for twenty minutes at three hundred fifty degrees Fahrenheit when the timer ends turn off your oven but leave the bars sitting in the closed oven for five more minutes this lets them set up perfectly without drying out

Cool and Slice:

Lift the baked oats from the pan using the parchment let everything cool to room temperature before slicing into bars and enjoy

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Banana is my favorite part of this recipe since it keeps the bars so moist and sweet without needing much added sugar. My kids love adding their favorite mix ins and helping press the mixture flat before baking.

Storage Tips

Baked oatmeal bars store beautifully in the fridge for about four days. Wrap tightly in plastic or keep in a lidded container so they stay moist. For longer storage freeze the bars on a tray then pop them into a bag so you can grab one whenever you need a quick snack.

Ingredient Substitutions

No bananas on hand You can swap in applesauce pumpkin or even mashed sweet potato for a different twist. If nuts are a problem use sunflower butter or extra oil. Maple syrup honey or agave all work for sweetening.

Serving Suggestions

Warm up a bar for breakfast and spread with almond butter or yogurt for extra protein. These are great packed into lunchboxes too. If you are feeling fancy stick a few bars under the broiler for a minute and enjoy melty chocolate right on top.

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Cultural or Historical Context

Oat bars like these have deep roots in British flapjacks and other simple farmhouse bakes. Baking oats with fruit and a hint of sweetness has long been a way to start the day with energy that lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these bars without bananas?

Yes, you can substitute the banana with another mashed fruit or use a recommended alternative like baked oats. This may change the texture slightly but still delivers a wholesome bar.

→ How should I store the baked oatmeal bars?

Once cooled, store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for several months for grab-and-go convenience.

→ Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?

Absolutely! Sprinkling chocolate chips or chopped nuts on top before baking adds extra flavor and crunch to each serving.

→ Are these bars suitable for meal prep?

Yes, they keep well in the fridge or freezer, making them great for preparing ahead of time to enjoy throughout the week.

→ Is there an oil-free option?

You can substitute the oil with an equal amount of nut butter or extra water to keep the bars moist without added fats.