Description
Sweet chocolate banana oat bars invite comfort and nostalgia with their hearty blend of wholesome ingredients. Dark chocolate ribbons and ripe bananas create a delightful harmony you’ll savor in every delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Chocolate and Binding Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (sugar-free)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds or walnuts)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and meticulously line a square baking pan with parchment paper, creating overhanging edges for effortless bar extraction.
- Thoroughly mash ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until achieving a silky, uniform texture that will serve as a natural sweetener and binding element.
- Pulverize rolled oats into a coarse consistency, then integrate them into the banana mixture, forming a robust and nutritious base for the bars.
- Infuse the mixture with rich vanilla extract, deep unsweetened cocoa powder, and creamy almond butter, whisking until a harmonious chocolate-like composition emerges.
- Gently incorporate chia seeds and sugar-free dark chocolate chips, ensuring even distribution for enhanced nutritional value and textural complexity.
- Optionally introduce chopped nuts, warming cinnamon, and a delicate salt sprinkle to elevate the flavor profile and introduce a satisfying crunch.
- Carefully transfer the mixture into the prepared pan, utilizing a spatula to create a uniformly smooth and compact surface.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until edges become crisp and the center feels firm and set.
- After removing from the oven, allow the bars to cool completely within the pan for approximately 30 minutes, enabling proper stabilization.
- Leverage the parchment paper edges to lift the entire batch, then slice into precise, uniform bars on a clean cutting board.
- Preserve in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or refrigerate to extend freshness and maintain optimal texture.
Notes
- Swap almond butter with sunflower seed butter for nut-free diets, ensuring those with allergies can enjoy these delicious bars.
- Toast oats briefly before mixing to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more complex taste profile with minimal extra effort.
- Experiment with different mix-ins like dried cranberries or coconut flakes to customize the bars and keep the recipe exciting for repeated enjoyment.
- Freeze individual bars for quick grab-and-go breakfast or pre-workout snacks, making meal preparation convenient and health-conscious.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg