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Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are soft and chewy.Combine ripe bananas, peanut butter, oats, applesauce, and chocolate chips.Bake at 350°F for 25–28 minutes, then cool and chill before slicing.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Breakfast / Snack
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup 230g mashed ripe banana, about 3 medium or 2 large bananas
  • ½ cup 125g creamy or crunchy peanut butter
  • ¼ cup 50g coconut sugar or brown sugar
  • ¼ cup 60g unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup 120ml almond milk or other nondairy milk
  • 2½ cups 213g old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats, not instant
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup 180g semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • Melted peanut butter for drizzling optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides to lift out the baked bars.
  • Place the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl and mash until mostly smooth.
  • Add the peanut butter, coconut or brown sugar, applesauce, and almond milk. Whisk until well combined.
  • Add the oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips. The mixture should be thick but still easy to spread.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and spread it evenly, smoothing the top.
  • Bake the Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars for 25–28 minutes, or until the center is set. The bars may still look slightly soft when they come out of the oven.
  • Cool in the pan at room temperature for 30–60 minutes.
  • Transfer the pan to the refrigerator and chill for approximately 1 hour. Chilling helps the bars firm up and makes them easier to slice cleanly.
  • Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Slice into individual portions and drizzle with melted peanut butter, if desired.

Notes

Almond milk can be replaced with oat, soy, cashew, or another nondairy milk.
Either coconut sugar or brown sugar works well. Brown sugar gives the bars a slightly deeper caramel-like sweetness.
For vegan oatmeal bars, use dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips and check the labels of your remaining packaged ingredients.