Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup smooth (natural) peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
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°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until almost smooth. Stir in the smooth peanut butter and vanilla bean paste until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the oats, salt, and baking powder to the banana mixture, stirring until everything is evenly combined. Fold in one-third of the chocolate chips, reserving the rest for topping.
- Bake in Oven: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips evenly on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Cut: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, cut into 6-8 pieces and serve.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and texture.
- You can substitute natural peanut butter with any nut or seed butter of your choice.
- For a vegan option, ensure the chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate to keep longer.
- These bars can be frozen and thawed as needed for meal prep convenience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
