Soft, chewy oatmeal bars made with ripe banana, maple syrup, and oats. Ready in 25 minutes and perfect for meal prep.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
03 - 1 1/3 cups mashed ripe banana (about 3 medium bananas)
04 - 6 tbsp water
05 - 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, agave, or honey, or stevia equivalent
06 - 3 tbsp oil (such as coconut, vegetable), nut butter, or additional water
07 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
→ Optional Mix-Ins
08 - 1/3 cup chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or seeds
# How To:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or grease thoroughly with cooking spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add the rolled oats and salt. Whisk briefly to distribute the salt evenly throughout the oats.
03 - Add the mashed banana, water, maple syrup (or chosen sweetener), oil (or nut butter or extra water), and vanilla extract to the bowl. Stir until completely combined and the oats are evenly coated.
04 - Gently fold in any desired mix-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or seeds until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly and smooth the top surface. Sprinkle additional chocolate chips or nuts on top if desired.
06 - Bake for 20 minutes. Turn off the oven and keep the door closed, allowing the bars to remain inside for an additional 5 minutes to set completely.
07 - Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into 6 to 9 bars depending on desired portion size.
08 - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
