Cozy Morning Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Introduction

Cozy Morning Banana Oatmeal Bars are a delightful way to start your day with wholesome ingredients and comforting flavors. These bars blend ripe bananas and oats into a soft, tender treat perfect for breakfast or a snack. Easy to make and customizable, they’re a crowd-pleaser anyone can enjoy.

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large, very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy removal later.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, mash the bananas until mostly smooth with a few lumps. Stir in the beaten egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract until the mixture is fragrant and well mixed.
4. Step 4: Pour the banana mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined. If using, fold in chocolate chips or walnuts now.
5. Step 5: Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Step 6: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out and cut into 12 squares.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moisture, try adding a tablespoon of Greek yogurt or applesauce to the wet ingredients.
• Swap the nuts or chocolate chips for dried fruit like cranberries or raisins for a different flavor.
• If you prefer gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and flour alternatives.
• Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and soft.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or enjoy cold as a quick snack.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use less sugar or a sugar substitute?

Yes, you can reduce the brown sugar slightly or replace it with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, but be mindful it may affect the texture slightly.

Can these bars be made vegan?

To make these bars vegan, substitute the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water) and use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of unsalted butter.

Cozy Morning Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 50 reviews

These Cozy Morning Banana Oatmeal Bars are a deliciously soft and wholesome breakfast treat made with ripe bananas, rolled oats, and a hint of cinnamon. They are easy to prepare, baked to golden perfection, and optionally studded with chocolate chips or walnuts for added texture and flavor. Perfect for a grab-and-go morning snack or a comforting coffee companion.

• Author: Tim
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 12 bars 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Oatmeal Bars

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large, very ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare the pan. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×9 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang to lift the bars out easily later.
2. Mix dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the oats, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This creates the dry base of your bars.
3. Prepare wet mixture. In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth with a few lumps. Stir in the lightly beaten egg, melted unsalted butter, and vanilla extract until combined into a fragrant batter.
4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Pour the wet banana mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender. Fold in optional chocolate chips or walnuts if desired.
5. Bake the bars. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool and serve. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to set properly. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out, then cut into 12 squares and enjoy.

Notes

• Use very ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
• For a nut-free version, omit walnuts and avoid chocolate chips with nuts.
• These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated up to a week.
• Customize by adding dried fruit, seeds, or different nuts for variety.
• To make these bars gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and ensure oats are certified gluten-free.

Keywords: banana oatmeal bars, breakfast bars, healthy breakfast, baked oatmeal, banana snack, easy breakfast recipe