These Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are filled with wholesome ingredients, a handful of chocolate chips, and of course plenty of banana flavor. Eat them with breakfast, as a quick snack, or even dessert!
This recipe was originally published in April of 2020, but was updated on March 20, 2023 with newer content.
These banana chocolate chips bars are one of the easiest bars you can make and require minimal effort.
Everything is mixed into one bowl and you can easily customize the ingredients. These are my personal favorites and I make them a few times a month!
Looking for more banana recipes? Then check out these: banana split cupcakes, maple banana bread, and banana cheesecake bars.
Why You'll Love These Bars
- They have a chewy texture.
- Banana and chocolate are the star flavors.
- They're soft baked.
- All you need is 30 minutes to make them.
- They're the perfect breakfast or snack item!
Unlike store-bought granola bars that tend to be hard and lacking in flavor, these oatmeal bars are perfectly soft and bursting with delicious flavor.
It helps to use overripe bananas because the darker they are, the sweeter and more flavorful they'll be!
Expert Baking Tips
- Baking Pan: Line your 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little hanging over the sides to serve as a “handle”. Then grease with cooking spray.
- Chilling: Once the bars are removed from the oven allow them to cool for 15 minutes before placing them into the refrigerator. I recommend they chill for 1 hour before slicing them into bars.
- Overnight Instructions: This is a great recipe to make the night before and then slice into bars the next morning. I love to eat these banana bars straight from the refrigerator.
Ingredients Needed
Here are some notes on the ingredients we'll be using. For the full ingredients list, look at the recipe card below.
- Banana: You'll need one mashed banana that is overripe. The darker, the better!
- Old Fashioned Oats: Use old-fashioned oats (also called rolled oats). Do not substitute them for quick oats.
- Brown Sugar: I used light brown sugar. You could also substitute it with honey.
- Milk: I used 2 %, but feel free to use your preferred milk such as almond milk.
- Peanut Butter: Use creamy peanut butter. This helps to bind all of the ingredients together. You could also use seed butter or almond butter.
- Cinnamon: Adds flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: I used semi-sweet, but you could also use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips.
Instructions
Here are the step by step instructions on how to make these banana oat bars.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients. In a large bowl, mash the banana using a fork. Then mix together all of the dry ingredients and wet ingredients (except the chocolate chips) until fully combined.
Step 2: Chocolate chips. Then fold in the chocolate chips. Scrape the mixture into the prepared baking pan, making sure to spread it out into one even layer.
Step 3: Bake. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the bars are soft but firm.
Step 4: Chill. Allow the baking dish to cool on the counter for 15 minutes before moving it to the refrigerator to cool completely.
Slice into bars and enjoy!
Storing Tips
Keep the baked oatmeal bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
You could also freeze them for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course! In addition to the chocolate chips, you can certainly add another ½ cup of white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, or even butterscotch chips. The options are endless and adaptable to what you like.
No. Stay away from quick cooking oats because they are not the same as old-fashioned oats. They're thinner and will not hold up in this recipe.
Check out the Ingredients heading above where I layout different substitutions for milk, peanut butter, and sugar! This recipe uses simple ingredients that can be easily changed to fit your needs.
Yes! Just double the recipe and bake them in a 9x13-inch pan. Just note that the baking time might be different.
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below. I love hearing from you! Also, please tag me on Instagram and check out my Pinterest for even more recipe ideas.
It brings me so much joy to see you make my recipes. 🙂
Happy Baking!
More Breakfast Recipes
📖 Recipe
Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Equipment
- 8x8 inch baking pan
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Parchment paper
- Rubber Spatula
Ingredients:
- 1 medium-sized banana, overripe
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup milk
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little hanging over the sides to serve as a “handle”. Then grease with non-stick spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the banana with a fork. Then add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips, using a rubber spatula to mix until combined. Then gently mix in the chocolate chips.
- Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and use your spatula to spread the mixture out evenly.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes. The texture of the bars should be soft but firm (not raw). Cool on the counter for 15 minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before cutting into bars.
- Keep any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
Notes:
These are really easy and so tasty. TY for publishing. I will try more of your recipes!
I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Amy!!