Description
Indulgent peanut butter banana bars merge sweet tropical fruit with creamy nutty richness for a perfect portable treat. Homemade goodness awaits as you savor each moist, wholesome bite of this irresistible snack that promises comfort and deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 super ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) smooth natural peanut butter
- 1 1/4 cups (100 g) quick cooking oats
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) baking powder
Topping Ingredient:
- 1/2 cup (85 g) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a loaf pan by lightly greasing or lining with parchment paper.
- Thoroughly mash ripe bananas until they reach a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Incorporate peanut butter and vanilla extract into the mashed bananas, stirring until well blended.
- Gently fold in rolled oats, salt, and baking powder, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
- Add two-thirds of the chocolate chips into the batter, mixing carefully to spread them evenly.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out smoothly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips across the top of the batter for additional texture and flavor.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a knife into the center – it should come out clean.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 6-8 serving pieces.
Notes
- Swap out peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter to accommodate nut allergies and create a versatile treat.
- Enhance nutrition by using gluten-free oats for those with gluten sensitivities, ensuring everyone can enjoy these bars.
- Reduce sugar content by choosing dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa percentage, which adds rich flavor while cutting down on sweetness.
- Customize texture by adjusting banana ripeness – more ripe bananas create denser, moister bars, while slightly firmer bananas maintain a lighter consistency.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg