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Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.8 from 9 reviews
  • Author: Jessica
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours (includes cooling and chilling time)
  • Yield: 16 bars
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and easy-to-make snack or breakfast option. Combining ripe bananas, creamy peanut butter, oats, and chocolate chips, these bars are moist, satisfying, and naturally sweetened. Perfect for meal prep or a quick treat, they offer a wholesome blend of flavors and textures with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup (230g) mashed bananas (about 3 medium or 2 large ripe bananas)
  • 1/2 cup (125g) creamy or crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/4 cup (60g) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) almond milk (or any nondairy milk)
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (50g) coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • 2 and 1/2 cups (213g) old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats (not instant)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Add-ins

  • 1 cup (180g) semi-sweet chocolate chips (use dairy-free for vegan)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring there is enough overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mash the bananas thoroughly. On medium speed, beat or whisk in the peanut butter, coconut sugar (or brown sugar), unsweetened applesauce, almond milk, and vanilla extract until well combined. The mixture will be thick but still pourable.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Add the oats, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon to the wet mixture. Continue mixing until all ingredients are evenly incorporated into a thick batter.
  4. Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them throughout without overmixing.
  5. Bake the Bars: Pour or spoon the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes until the center is set but still slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars moist.
  6. Cool and Chill: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes. Afterward, place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour until fully chilled; this makes cutting easier and helps the bars hold their shape.
  7. Slice and Serve: Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the slab out of the pan. Cut into 16 equal bars. Optionally, drizzle melted peanut butter over the bars for extra flavor and richness.
  8. Store Leftovers: Cover leftover bars tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
  • Adjust sweetness by choosing between coconut sugar or brown sugar.
  • For vegan bars, opt for dairy-free chocolate chips and any plant-based milk.
  • You can substitute peanut butter with almond or sunflower butter if preferred.
  • Cooling and chilling the bars fully is crucial for clean slicing.
  • These bars freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Find it online: https://dishrise.com/peanut-butter-banana-chocolate-chip-oatmeal-bars-recipe/