Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy, and full of wholesome ingredients like oats, bananas, and peanut butter. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and finished with melty chocolate chips, these bars make a perfect grab-and-go breakfast, snack, or healthy dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These oatmeal bars strike the balance between indulgent and nutritious. They’re quick to mix up in one bowl, freezer-friendly, and great for meal prep. The bananas keep them moist, the oats provide fiber, and the peanut butter adds protein and richness. They’re kid-approved and customizable with your favorite add-ins.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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3 small overripe bananas, mashed
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1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1/4 cup pure maple syrup
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1 large egg, lightly beaten
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3/4 cup whole milk
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2 cups rolled oats
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon sea salt
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
Topping:
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1/4 cup chocolate chips
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1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (for drizzling, optional)
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch baking pan and set aside.
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In a large bowl, mash the bananas and mix with peanut butter until smooth. Stir in vanilla, maple syrup, and egg. Add milk and mix well.
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Add rolled oats, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir until evenly combined.
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Pour mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
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Bake for 25 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned and the top springs back when touched.
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Let cool slightly, then drizzle with peanut butter if desired. Slice into squares and serve warm or cold.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes 8 bars.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Variations
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Nut-Free: Swap peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or tahini.
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Dairy-Free: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk instead of whole milk.
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Extra Sweetness: Add dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped dates.
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Protein Boost: Stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder or collagen powder.
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Crunchy Texture: Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Wrap bars individually and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or microwave for 30–45 seconds.
Reheating: Warm bars in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes.
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the bars will have a slightly softer texture.
Can I skip the egg?
Yes, substitute with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water).
Do I have to use bananas?
Bananas add natural sweetness and moisture. If you’d like to skip them, try unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin purée.
Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes, use a flax egg and plant-based milk.
How do I know when the bars are done?
They should spring back lightly when pressed and the edges should be set and golden.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, bake in a 9×13-inch pan and increase baking time by 5–10 minutes.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet, dark, or dairy-free chocolate chips all work well.
Can I use steel-cut oats?
Not recommended, as they won’t soften properly in the bake.
Can I add protein powder?
Yes, but reduce the oats slightly to keep the texture balanced.
Are these bars freezer-friendly?
Yes, they freeze very well and make a great make-ahead snack.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal Bars are an easy, nourishing recipe that combines the goodness of oats, bananas, and peanut butter into a chewy, satisfying bar. Perfect for breakfast meal prep, quick snacks, or a healthier dessert, they’re versatile, freezer-friendly, and a hit with both kids and adults. Keep a batch on hand for whenever you need a wholesome treat.
Print
Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal Bars
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal Bars are soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened with bananas and maple syrup. Packed with oats, warm spices, and chocolate chips, they make a healthy and satisfying breakfast, snack, or dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 small overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- Topping:
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter (for drizzle)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9-inch square baking dish and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas and stir in peanut butter. Mix in vanilla extract, maple syrup, and beaten egg. Add milk and stir until smooth.
- Add rolled oats, baking powder, sea salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to the wet mixture. Stir until fully combined.
- Pour batter into prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, or until the top springs back lightly when touched and edges are just golden.
- Drizzle additional peanut butter over the bars if desired. Let cool slightly before cutting into squares.
- Serve warm or cold. Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave if preferred.
Notes
- For dairy-free version, use almond milk or oat milk.
- Substitute almond or cashew butter if you prefer.
- Use dairy-free chocolate chips to make the recipe fully dairy-free.
- Bars freeze well; store in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
