Easy Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars: Healthy & Delicious!

Ingredients Checklist (Tap as You Prep)

• 3 medium overripe spotted bananas, mashed smooth (about 1 ¼ cups)
• ¾ cup natural drippy creamy peanut butter (100% roasted peanuts & sea salt)
• 2 cups certified gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 scoops (60g) vanilla or peanut butter whey/plant protein powder
• 2 large pasture-raised eggs, lightly whisked
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or raw honey
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract + 1 teaspoon ground Ceylon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon baking soda + ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt
• ⅓ cup 70% dark chocolate chunks + 2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts for top swirl

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

1. Mash & Emulsify the Wet Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch metal baking pan with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk the mashed ripe bananas, warm drippy peanut butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla until glossy and unified.
2. Fold the Protein & Oats: Add the rolled oats, protein powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and sea salt, folding with a silicone spatula until no dry streaks remain.
3. Level & Swirl: Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared pan, scatter the dark chocolate chunks and crushed peanuts across the top, and lightly press them into the surface.
4. Bake to Golden Edges: Bake for 18–21 minutes until the edges pull away slightly from the parchment and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.
5. Chill & Slice Cleanly: Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, lift out by the parchment overhangs, and slice into 9 thick grab-and-go high-protein bars.