Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Stacey Mebs | Bake.Eat.Repeat.

These chocolate chip banana oatmeal bars are so quick and easy to make, taste great, and make the perfect snack. Yet they're still healthy enough for breakfast!

My kids are big fans of things that look like cake that they're allowed to eat for breakfast. I feel like that won't continue to be a thing forever, but for now I'll take it.

Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars Photo

These chocolate chip banana oatmeal bars were quite tasty though. Plus there's chocolate involved, and they're still healthy enough for breakfast so that always makes everyone happy.

The kids liked these just eaten like a muffin - both for breakfast or as a snack in their lunch or after school.

I enjoyed them heated up and topped with some sliced fresh banana. Either way they're delicious. 

Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars Picture

And they're so easy to make. They mix up quickly in just one bowl, and you will likely have them ready for the oven before it's even heated up. 

Plus they're very low in sugar (only 1/4 cup in the whole batch) and have no eggs.

Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars Image

I think that you could also make them dairy free if you like, by using soy milk or almond milk instead of the buttermilk, but I haven't tried that myself.

There's only 1/4 cup of milk though, so it should be fine if you need them to be dairy free.

If you're looking for a new recipe to try with those over-ripe bananas, make these chocolate chip banana oatmeal bars - everyone will love them!

Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars Pic

What can I do with lots of bananas?

There are so many things to make with over ripe bananas! I actually buy the discounted over-ripe bananas at the grocery store just to freeze them so I have bananas on hand for baking.

We use a large number of bananas in smoothies, as frozen bananas make the best smoothies.

You can also blend up frozen bananas for some healthy "ice-cream". Or, my favourite - bake with those bananas!

File 1 - Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars

Here are some of our favourite recipes to make with over-ripe bananas:

File 2 - Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars

How do you freeze over ripe bananas?

You can freeze over ripe bananas simply by throwing them in the freezer in their peels. The peels will go black in the freezer, but after they defrost it's very easy to pull the peel off and use the banana in baking.

I prefer to peel my over ripe bananas and freeze them in a ziplock freezer bag. They're easy to break apart to use them. Plus, I like using frozen bananas in smoothies.

It's very difficult to remove the peel from a frozen banana, so you need to defrost it to use it if you freeze them with the peel on.

File 3 - Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars

How to make Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars:

  • These banana oatmeal bars mix up very quickly with just one bowl. You will likely have them ready for the oven before it's even preheated. Quick, easy, and healthy enough for breakfast.
  • Oatmeal bars freeze really well. If you want to freeze them, just let them cool completely before cutting them into bars and freezing them. I like to freeze them in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. If they're going to be used for on the go snacks, you might want to wrap them individually before freezing them. 
  • I've made these with both whole wheat flour and all purpose flour. Both are great, but I do typically use whole wheat flour for these.
  • I never buy oat flour. Instead, you can simply process some rolled oats in a blender or food processor until they are completely broken down. For 3/4 cup of oat flour, you will need just under 1 cup of rolled oats.

Here are some more great healthy snack options for you:

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Chocolate Chip Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

    16 Servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
  • 3/4 cup Oat Flour
  • 3/4 cup Whole Wheat Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/4 cup Brown Sugar, lightly packed
  • 3 Bananas, mashed
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 cup Buttermilk
  • 1/2-3/4 cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips, (or raisins)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Line an 8x8 inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, spray it with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, oat flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar.
  4. Add the mashed bananas, vanilla, and buttermilk and stir well.
  5. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  6. Spread the batter into the prepared baking dish.
  7. Bake for 28-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and the bars are golden brown.
  8. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then lift out the parchment paper and slice into bars. 

Notes

  • Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

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Published:
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Cooking Method:
Baking
Category:
Lunchbox
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Related Recipes:
Lunchbox Recipes, Snack Recipes, Family Meals and Snack Recipes, Baking Recipes, Baked Recipes, Banana Recipes, Chocolate Recipes, Oat Recipes, Bar Dessert Recipes
Recipe Yields:
12-16 squares
Prep Time:
Cook Time:
Total Time:
Related Post:
Published:
Author: Stacey Mebs
Recipe Yields: 12-16 squares
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 square
Servings Per Recipe 16

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 19
Calories 116

% Daily Value*
4%
Total Fat 2g
5%
  Saturated Fat 1g
5%
Sodium 121mg
5%
Total Carbohydrate 16g
2%
  Dietary Fiber 2g
  Sugars 6g
5%
Protein 2g

* Percent Daily Value are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrition Facts are estimated based on ingredients and data provided by Fat Secret. Please consult a doctor if you have special dietary needs.
Stacey Mebs

About Stacey

Stacey loves to Bake. Eat. Repeat. so much that it inspired the name of her blog. With three young kids at home, she's become an expert at packing lunches. Say hello to our Lunchbox fanatic!

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