Sink your teeth into these hearty, gooey Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars! Packed with chewy oats, creamy peanut butter, ripe bananas, and a generous scatter of chocolate chips, these bars are a dream come true for breakfast lovers and snack enthusiasts alike. They’re naturally sweetened, easy to mix up in one bowl, and ideal for just about any occasion—whether you need an energy boost on a busy morning or a feel-good treat after dinner. If you love soft, thick oatmeal bars with layers of comforting flavors, this recipe is your ticket to snack nirvana.

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe calls for simple, wholesome ingredients that combine to create pure magic. Each one brings something special—flavor, moisture, texture, or a hint of decadence—to every bite of Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars.

Mashed bananas: Choose ripe bananas for natural sweetness and unbeatable moistness—they’re the secret to the soft, tender texture.
Creamy or crunchy peanut butter: Either version works to provide rich flavor and a creamy backbone; crunchy adds a fun little bite if you like extra texture.
Coconut sugar or brown sugar: Brings a cozy caramel note and deepens the sweetness beautifully.
Unsweetened applesauce: Lightens up the bars and adds even more moisture without overpowering the main flavors.
Almond milk (or any non-dairy milk): Keeps these bars dairy-free and perfectly soft; use your preferred variety.
Old-fashioned whole oats or quick oats: Stay away from instant oats for this recipe! Either whole or quick oats will give you that awesome chewy bite.
Baking powder: Helps the bars lift and become irresistibly fluffy without any eggs.
Salt: Just a pinch to balance all the flavors and pull out the sweetness.
Ground cinnamon: Lends a gentle warmth that pairs beautifully with bananas, oats, and peanut butter.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds a subtle, aromatic sweetness that lingers in every bite.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: The melty puddles of chocolate scattered throughout turn these bars from delicious to downright irresistible! Use dairy-free to keep things vegan.

How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat

Set yourself up for oatmeal bar success by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, letting the sides overhang so you can easily lift out the bars later. Trust me, a little parchment now means fewer sticky situations later!

Step 2: Mash and Mix

In a big mixing bowl (or stand mixer, if you fancy), mash your ripe bananas until mostly smooth. Then add the peanut butter, sugar, applesauce, almond milk, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, vanilla, and those luscious chocolate chips—just stir it all together. The batter will be thick but still pourable, dotted with those glorious chocolate chips.

Step 3: Pour and Bake

Spoon or pour the batter into your prepped pan, smoothing the top out with a spatula. Slide it into your hot oven, and let the scent of Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars fill the kitchen while it bakes for 25 to 28 minutes. The center will look a little soft when done—don’t worry, it sets up perfectly after cooling.

Step 4: Cool and Chill

Patience is key! Remove the baked bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 30 to 60 minutes. Then, for ultimate bar perfection, pop the pan into the fridge for an hour—this helps firm them up, so you get clean, gorgeous slices.

Step 5: Slice and (Optional) Drizzle

Use the parchment sling to lift the chilled bars from the pan. Slice them into squares or rectangles. For an extra-special touch, warm a little peanut butter and drizzle generously over each piece. The result? Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars that look as tantalizing as they taste!

How to Serve Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars

Garnishes

Take these bars up another notch with a shower of chopped nuts, extra mini chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt as soon as they’re cut. Or, if you’re feeling playful, drizzle a little more melted peanut butter or even a touch of maple syrup for glossy, golden appeal.

Side Dishes

Nestle a bar next to a bowl of creamy Greek yogurt, or pair it with fresh fruit like berries or sliced apples for a balanced breakfast. If you’re serving Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars as dessert, try with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or dairy-free gelato!

Creative Ways to Present

Cut the bars into fun shapes using a cookie cutter—hearts for Valentine’s or stars for a celebratory breakfast! Pack them in parchment, tie with twine, and pop them into lunchboxes or picnic baskets. Arrange on a dessert board alongside dried fruit, nuts, and even a few extra chocolate chunks for a build-your-own snack bar spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve sliced the Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars, keep them covered tightly in the refrigerator. They stay moist and delicious for up to 10 days—perfect for tucking into bags and lunchboxes all week long.

Freezing

Want to stock up? Layer bars between parchment in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Just grab one (or two, let’s be honest!) when the craving hits and allow to thaw in the fridge or at room temperature.

Reheating

These bars are delightful chilled, but if you crave melty chocolate or a warm, soft center, pop a bar in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds. That bit of warmth brings out the gooeyness and makes the chocolate chips extra dreamy.

FAQs

Can I use instant oats if that’s all I have?

Instant oats aren’t ideal for Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars because they tend to make the bars a little too soft and mushy. If you can, stick to old-fashioned or quick oats for the best texture.

Are these bars gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just make sure you’re using certified gluten-free oats, as regular oats can have traces of gluten due to processing.

Can I substitute the almond milk?

Definitely—any non-dairy milk will work, such as soy, oat, or coconut milk. Even dairy milk can be used if you’re not following a vegan diet.

What can I use instead of coconut sugar?

Brown sugar works perfectly in this recipe. You could also experiment with maple syrup or other granulated sweeteners, although texture might vary slightly.

How do I make these bars nut-free?

Swap out the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter or a nut-free spread, and double-check your chocolate chips to ensure they’re nut-allergy friendly. You’ll still get that lovely bar texture and flavor!

Final Thoughts

Sharing these Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars always sparks joy—they’re pure comfort in bar form and perfect for any time of day. Give them a try and let your kitchen fill with the delicious aroma of this homemade classic; I promise they’ll be a new favorite for you and everyone you share them with!

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 18 reviews

Author: Ella
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars are a delicious and wholesome treat that combines the flavors of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate in a chewy oatmeal bar. Perfect for a quick breakfast or a satisfying snack!

Instructions

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides. Set aside.
Mix the ingredients: Mash bananas in a large bowl. Mix in peanut butter, sugar, applesauce, almond milk, oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Bake the bars: Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 25-28 minutes until the center is set.
Cool and chill: Cool in the pan at room temperature, then refrigerate for 1 hour until chilled.
Cut and serve: Remove the chilled bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Cut into bars and optionally drizzle with melted peanut butter.
Storage: Store leftover bars in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

Notes

For a more indulgent treat, you can add a handful of chopped nuts or dried fruits to the batter.
Feel free to customize these bars by using different nut butters or adding extra mix-ins like shredded coconut or chia seeds.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25-28 minutes
Category: Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American