I still remember the first time I made these bars—it was during a chaotic morning when my toddler insisted that bananas were “yucky” after I bought an entire bunch.
These Double Chocolate Banana Bread Oat Bars came to the rescue, turning that sad fruit into a treat the whole family begged me to make again.
Packed with real ingredients, these bars are like dessert you can eat for breakfast, minus the guilt.
Tips
- Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon for a warm, cozy twist.
- Substitutions: No almond flour? Oat flour works perfectly. No maple syrup? Honey (if not strictly vegan) or brown sugar is great too.
- Make It Nut-Free: Swap almond butter with sunflower seed butter and use oat milk.
Serving Suggestions
These bars are perfect as-is, but I love serving them with a dollop of dairy-free yogurt or a drizzle of melted chocolate for special occasions.
They also freeze well, so you can grab one on busy mornings. Wrap them individually for an easy snack that travels beautifully.
Double Chocolate Banana Bread Oat Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These rich, chocolatey oat bars are the perfect mix of healthy and indulgent, packed with wholesome ingredients and free from gluten and animal products.
Ingredients
- 2 medium ripe bananas (the spottier, the better!)
- 2 cups rolled oats (certified gluten-free)
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or agave syrup)
- 1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)
- 1/4 cup plant-based milk (I use almond milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. Trust me, this step saves you from scrubbing the pan later!
- Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash those bananas until smooth. A fork works fine, but if you’re in a rush, a potato masher is magic.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Stir in the almond butter, maple syrup, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract until it’s a creamy mess of deliciousness.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, almond flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix It Up: Gradually add the dry mix to the wet mix. Stir until everything is combined. Fold in those chocolate chips—don’t skip this step!
- Bake: Spread the batter evenly in your prepared pan. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top if you’re feeling fancy. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool & Cut: Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Slice into squares or bars once fully cooled.
Notes
Use ripe bananas for sweetness. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
