Name: Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars – Banana Dessert Recipes Easy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 ripe bananas, mashed; 1/2 cup natural peanut butter (the runny kind works best); 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 1/2 cups rolled oats; 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp baking soda; 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips (optional but highly encouraged)

Jump to Recipe

Ever stared down three spotty bananas and thought, ‘What now?’ Well, you’re in luck—I’ve got the snack that loves your laziness. These banana peanut butter oatmeal bars are like the unicorns of quick bakes: one bowl, no mixer, and totally cool if things get a little messy. They’re chewy in the middle, lightly crisp at the edges, and full of peanut butter soul. Plus, they don’t mind being breakfast, dessert, or the snack you sneak past midnight. We’re talking whole oats, natural sweetness, a touch of cinnamon, and enough heartiness to make your toaster pastries nervous. Did I mention your kitchen is going to smell like a cookie-scented candle factory exploded—in the best way? Let’s bake something that feels like a hug (and maybe pairs perfectly with coffee, tea, or hiding from your responsibilities).

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe
3) Ingredients for Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
4) How to Make Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
5) Tips for Making Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
6) Making Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
8) Try these Snacks next!
9) Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

These banana dessert recipes easy to prepare and family-approved.
Uses simple ingredients like bananas, oats, and peanut butter—staples you probably already have.
One bowl, no fancy tools, and it all comes together in under 40 minutes.
Perfect as breakfast bars, after-school snacks, or midnight munchies.

2) Easy Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Recipe

I’ve made a lot of quick snacks over the years, but these banana peanut butter oatmeal bars? They’re the one I keep coming back to. Why? They’re hearty, naturally sweet, and only require one bowl to whip together. These bars are one of my favorite banana dessert recipes easy enough for weeknight baking.

I love them for their chewy bite and their ability to silence every snack craving in my house—especially when my kids (or my husband) want something “just a little sweet” after dinner. We’re talking pantry basics: oats, bananas, peanut butter. That’s it, really. Toss in a handful of chocolate chips or don’t. Either way, you’re winning.

The best part? There’s no weird stuff in these. No processed flour, no complicated instructions. Just whole ingredients that stick to your ribs, taste great, and don’t leave you with a pile of dishes.

3) Ingredients for Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Bananas: You’ll want them super ripe—almost too ripe. This brings all the natural sweetness and helps bind everything together.

Peanut Butter: I always go with the natural, unsweetened kind. It’s creamy, rich, and just the right amount of nutty. If yours has a little oil on top, stir it well before scooping.

Honey or Maple Syrup: Just a touch for added sweetness. You can use either, depending on what flavor profile you like best.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet note that rounds out the flavor. Think of it as the subtle background singer in this snack harmony.

Rolled Oats: Go for the old-fashioned kind—not quick oats. They hold their shape better and give that lovely, chewy bite.

Ground Cinnamon: This gives your bars that little “something extra.” A cozy, comforting touch that makes them smell amazing.

Salt: Just enough to balance the sweetness and make everything pop. Don’t skip it.

Baking Soda: Helps lift the bars just slightly so they’re not dense bricks. Trust me, it makes a difference.

Mini Chocolate Chips (optional): Not necessary, but come on—who doesn’t love a little chocolate in their life?

4) How to Make Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment. I always line mine—it makes cleanup a dream.

Step 2: In a large bowl, mash your bananas until mostly smooth. A few lumps? Totally fine.

Step 3: Stir in the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla until it’s all one happy, creamy mixture.

Step 4: Add in your oats, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Stir again. It’ll be thick. That’s what we want.

Step 5: Fold in the chocolate chips if you’re using them. Lick the spoon. You’ve earned it.

Step 6: Spread the batter into your pan and smooth the top with the back of a spoon.

Step 7: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges look golden and a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Step 8: Let them cool completely before cutting. They firm up as they cool, and no one wants a crumbly bar mess.

5) Tips for Making Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These are pretty forgiving bars, which is part of their charm. But I do have a few tips to make sure they turn out just right.

Use bananas that are very ripe—those soft, brown-speckled ones that make you feel a tiny bit guilty for letting them sit too long. That’s your sweet spot. Literally.

Don’t overmix. Once the oats are in, fold gently until just combined. You’re not kneading bread here. Think of it more like mixing a chunky cookie dough.

If your peanut butter is very thick, microwave it for about 10–15 seconds before stirring it in. This helps it blend better with the bananas and gives you smoother batter overall.

6) Making Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars Ahead of Time

I love how these bars make meal prep so much easier. You can bake them on Sunday, cut them into squares, and you’ve got snacks or quick breakfasts ready to grab all week long.

If you’re planning to serve them later, let them cool fully before slicing and storing. Warm bars can steam themselves soggy if you trap them in a container too soon.

Want to freeze them? Go ahead. Wrap each bar in parchment or plastic, then toss them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay good for up to 2 months. When you’re ready, just thaw on the counter or pop them in the microwave for a warm treat.

7) Storing Leftover Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These bars are the kind of snack that stick around—in a good way. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to a week.

When refrigerated, they firm up a bit but stay chewy and delicious. I like to microwave one for 10 seconds before eating—it brings back that fresh-from-the-oven warmth.

And if you’ve got extras, freeze the rest. These banana dessert recipes easy to store make life so much simpler. Grab one, reheat, snack, repeat.

8) Try these Snacks next!

9) Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars