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    Home » Recipes » Brownies & Bars

    Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

    Modified: May 21, 2025 · Published: Apr 13, 2021 by Karissa Parrish · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These banana chocolate chip oatmeal bars are filled with simple ingredients, a handful of chocolate chips, and of course plenty of banana flavor. Eat them with breakfast, as a quick snack, or even dessert!

    Banana chocolate chip oatmeal bars on a metal rack.

    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! They're similar to my strawberry baked oatmeal bars.

    Looking for more banana recipes? Then check out these: banana split cupcakes, maple banana bread, and banana cheesecake bars.

    Chocolate chip oatmeal bars with extra oats on the side.

    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!

    chocolate chip banana bars

    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.
    Ingredients needed: oats, brown sugar, peanut butter, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, milk, egg, baking powder, chocolate, and banana.

    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!

    How to make banana oat bars with chocolate

    Storage 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.

    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.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I Add Another Mix-In?

    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.

    Can I Use Instant Oats?

    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.

    Can I Substitute Any Of The Ingredients?

    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.

    Can I Make A Double Batch?

    Yes! Just double the recipe and bake them in a 9x13-inch pan. Just note that the baking time might be different.

    Two oatmeal bars stacked with extra bars behind them.

    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

    • Gooey Cinnamon Rolls
    • Blueberry Chocolate Chip Muffins
    • Banana Baked Donuts
    • The Best Strawberry Banana Bread

    📖 Recipe

    Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

    Karissa Parrish
    These banana chocolate chip oatmeal bars are filled with simple ingredients, a handful of chocolate chips, and of course plenty of banana flavor. Eat them with breakfast, as a quick snack, or even dessert!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Chill Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 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:

    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.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1barCalories: 112kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 74mgPotassium: 123mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    US Customary - Metric
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Comments

    1. Amy says

      July 10, 2021 at 6:52 pm

      5 stars
      These are really easy and so tasty. TY for publishing. I will try more of your recipes!

      Reply
      • Ginger Snap says

        July 16, 2021 at 3:15 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed them, Amy!!

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




    Hi, I'm Karissa! I am the professional home baker and food photographer here at Ginger Snap's Baking Affairs. I have 6+ years of experience creating easy desserts that every home baker can make in their own kitchens! You'll find many desserts here, including cakes, cupcakes, frostings, and cookies. I'm so glad you're here and happy baking!

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