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–+ servings
oatmeal bar topped with peanuts on a parchment paper.
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5 from 20 votes

Healthy Oatmeal Bars

These Healthy Oatmeal Bars are so easy to make and great for breakfast! Moist and perfectly sweetened with no added sugar, this oatmeal protein bar recipe can be made vegan, is gluten-free, and is delicious.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Resting Time5 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Rena

Ingredients

  • 2 bananas ripened and large; mashed
  • ½ cup peanut butter or any kind of nut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups quick oats
  • 1 scoop chocolate protein powder or vanilla, plant-based for vegan option
  • ½ cup dark chocolate chips dairy-free for vegan option
  • ½ cup peanuts roasted and chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In a bowl, mash the 2 bananas with a fork or a potato masher until soft. Stir in the ½ cup peanut butter and mix to incorporate.
    mashing bananas with fork in a round bowl.
  • Next, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 ¾ cups quick oats , 1 scoop chocolate protein powder, ½ cup peanuts, and ½ cup dark chocolate chips and mix to combine.
    Jar pouring peanut butter into a bowl with mashed bananas.
  • Evenly spread and gently press the mixture into the prepared baking pan.
    mixing chocolate chips in an oat mixture with peanut butter and peanuts.
  • Bake the bars for 15 minutes or until lightly golden on top.
  • Allow the oat bars to cool on a wire rack before cutting into squares. Serve and enjoy, and store the rest.
    baked oatmeal bars on parchment paper with chocolate chips and peanuts.

Video

Notes

  • To be sure you have gluten-free oatmeal bars, make sure you buy gluten-free oats.
  • For extra moisture, add applesauce to the oat bars.
  • Instead of peanut butter, use cashew or almond butter. You can even try sunflower butter if there is a nut allergy.
  • Use vanilla protein powder instead of chocolate powder for fewer chocolate flavors. For a vegan option, use plant-based protein powder.
  • Instead of dark chocolate chips, switch things up with white chocolate, peanut butter, or butterscotch chips. Use dairy-free for a vegan option
  • In place of the peanuts, roasted almonds or cashews can be used.
  • For extra nutty flavors, sprinkle some unsweetened shredded coconut in the oat mixture and on top before baking.
  • If you do not want to mix the ingredients by hand, then you can mix things in a food processor.
  • Store the leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for four days. The bars will last longer stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  • Freeze the bars by cutting them into squares and freezing them in a freezer-safe bag for three months.
  • Add rich aromatic spices to these soft baked bars, such as cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • Dried fruit, such as cranberries, raisins, dates, etc., will work great for this recipe!

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 13IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg