Description
These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bars are a quick, healthy, and delicious snack or breakfast option made with ripe bananas, natural peanut butter, oats, and chocolate chips. They are naturally sweetened, easy to make, and perfect for a nutritious treat that satisfies your sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup instant or quick cooking oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (divided)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mash Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the very ripe bananas until they are almost smooth, ensuring a creamy base for the bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the smooth natural peanut butter and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and stir well until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the instant or quick cooking oats, salt, and baking powder to the wet mixture and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in one-third of the chocolate chips gently into the mixture, reserving the remaining for topping.
- Transfer to Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and use a spoon or spatula to smooth the surface evenly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips evenly on top of the batter for a melty, chocolaty finish.
- Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 6 to 8 pieces for serving.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for natural sweetness and better binding.
- Natural smooth peanut butter enhances flavor without added sugars or oils.
- If you prefer, substitute chocolate chips with chopped nuts or dried fruits.
- Make sure to cool bars completely to ensure they hold together when sliced.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
