Ready in just 30 minutes, these peanut butter banana oat bars studded with chocolate chips are soft, chewy, and full of flavor. Kid-friendly, gluten-free, and easy to make, they are the perfect healthy grab-n-go or bedtime snack!
This blog post is sponsored by Terry Naturally®. Thank you for supporting the brands that make this blog possible. As always, opinions are my own.
This recipe is a family fav. Here’s Why!
I don’t know about you but in my household with two wild little boys, we need grab-n-go nourishing snacks that are quick and easy to make.
I’m definitely not opposed to buying bars from the grocery store but IMO they taste so much better when we make them at home (like my gingerbread granola bars!). And my four year old is much more likely to try a new food if he helps make it!
This healthy snack recipe can be made in just 30 minutes and only 5 minutes of hands-on prep time. It’s packed with kid-friendly flavor (who doesn’t love a peanut butter, banana and chocolate combo?!) and is easy to pack to bring with you for a car ride / trip to the playground, etc (kinda like my almond butter protein balls).
The registered dietitian in me loves that this snack is full of plant-based protein, healthy fat, fiber, and carbs. When combined together, all of these nutrients help with satiety, blood sugar control, and long-lasting energy.
These delicious homemade bars always help hold me over until my next meal, and if eaten before bedtime, help me get a good night sleep (keep reading for more on the science behind that)!
I hope you and your family enjoy these bars (that double as breakfast or dessert!) as much as we do!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Notes on Ingredients
rolled oats: oats are naturally gluten-free but can be processed in a facility that manufactures gluten. If you have Celiac disease (gluten allergy, not sensitivity), be sure to look for certified gluten-free oats if you want these bars to be gluten-free!
bananas: use ripe / browned bananas – this will help add sweetness and softness to the bars!
peanut butter: I use creamy, unsalted peanut butter but if you’re a crunchy PB girlie, go for it!
maple syrup: adds sweetness; can substitute with your sweetener of choice!
Greek yogurt: helps add moisture and protein to the bars
vanilla: adds warm, sweet flavor
baking powder: gives bars a lighter, less dense texture
chia seeds: adds nutritional punch of omega 3s, fiber, protein and fat
salt: enhances flavor
chocolate chips: adds sweetness (and fun!); easy to omit if you prefer, but WHY would you :). Choose dark chocolate chips for extra antioxidants!
The perfect nutrition for a bedtime snack
I’m obsessed with these bars as an evening snack – I swear they help me fall asleep. And this is not just a random anecdote. Let this registered dietitian geek out on some nutritional science with ya’ll.
I’m sure you’re familiar with melatonin, the hormone your body produces at nighttime to help regulate your circadian rhythm (or sleep cycle), helping you fall asleep and stay asleep.
But DYK that there are certain foods that naturally contain melatonin and even more foods that contain the precursors to melatonin?!
Ever heard of tryptophan? You know, that word you only hear on Thanksgiving when people explain why you’re passed out on the couch after eating a bunch of turkey. What about serotonin? The neurotransmitter that helps keep you happy.
Well, both of these are precursors to melatonin. Tryptophan, an amino acid found in the diet, helps make serotonin in the body, and serotonin helps make melatonin.
And you guessed it, these bars contain ingredients that provide tryptophan, serotonin, as well as minerals that support relaxation like potassium, magnesium and calcium.
Let’s break it down!
- Bananas: contain tryptophan and potassium
- Yogurt: contains tryptophan and calcium
- Rolled oats: contain tryptophan, calcium and magnesium
- Chocolate: contains serotonin (and dark chocolate contains even higher amounts of it!)
- Chia: contain calcium and magnesium
So if you’re looking for a sweet bedtime snack that contains the nutrition to help support a good night sleep, these are it!
And when I need a little extra support in the sleep department (having two little ones will definitely do a number on your sleep!), I like taking a melatonin supplement, like Terry Naturally’s Melatonin EP120™ to help support deep, sound sleep.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars
- Mash! Mash bananas in a medium to large mixing bowl.
- Add wet ingredients. Whisk in maple syrup, yogurt and vanilla until combined.
- Add dry ingredients. Stir in rolled oats, baking powder, chia and salt until combined.
- You just fold it in! Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake, baby! Transfer mixture to a square pan and bake until set, about 25-30 minutes. Let cool completely and cut into squares.
Equipment You’ll Need
Mixing bowl
Square baking pan
Expert Tips
- To make this a baby led weaning friendly bar recipe, omit the maple syrup, salt and chocolate. Add cinnamon for extra flavor and sweetness.
- These bars are freezer-friendly if you happen to have any leftovers!
- These bars are easily adaptable – dairy free? Omit the yogurt. Peanut allergy? Use almond butter instead.
Preparation and Storage
These bars can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to one week.
For freezer storage, individually wrap squares in plastic wrap and store together in an airtight container or bag for up to three months.
Recipes That Pair Well
Air Fryer Eggs
Veggie Egg Bites
Lavender Latte
For more banana inspiration, check out my other recipes below!
Banana Bread Oatmeal
Whole Wheat Butternut Squash Banana Bread
Tahini Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Peanut Butter Banana Kefir Pancakes
If you like this recipe, please be sure to comment and give it a 5 star rating below. If you make it, share it on Instagram and tag me @karalydonrd and I’ll re-share it with my followers! If you want to save this recipe for later, be sure to pin it on Pinterest!
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Description
Ready in just 30 minutes, these peanut butter banana oat bars studded with chocolate chips are soft, chewy, and full of flavor. Kid-friendly, gluten-free, and easy to make, they are the perfect healthy grab-n-go snack!
- 3 ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed)
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2.5 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line 9×9 square pan with parchment paper.
- Using the back of a fork, mash bananas in a medium to large mixing bowl.
- Add peanut butter, syrup, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and whisk to combine.
- Stir in oats, baking powder, chia and salt.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Transfer mixture to a parchment lined 9×9 square pan.
- Bake until set, about 25-30 minutes.
- Let cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack until cooled completely. Cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- To make this recipe for baby led weaning, omit the syrup, chocolate chips and salt. Add cinnamon for extra flavor and sweetness.
- Adapt this recipe for your needs! Dairy-free? Omit the yogurt. Peanut allergy? Use almond butter instead.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
