Banana Oat Bars
Banana Oat Bars are healthy oatmeal bars made with oats, applesauce, flaxseed, nuts, and no added sugar. They're great for children.
Banana Oat Bars are healthy oatmeal bars made with oats, applesauce, flaxseed, nuts, and no added sugar. They're great for children.
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup applesauce unsweetened
- cooking spray (i use misto)
- 1/2 cup any milk (i used unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 tsp baking powder aluminum free
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 large bananas measured aft
- 2 cups quick or old fashioned rolled oats (use certified
- 1/4 cup flax seed ground or hemp hearts
- 5 cup any dried fruit)
- 1/2 cup walnuts or any nuts chopped
- chocolate chips (optional)
- Carbohydrate 8.83791312400794 g
- Cholesterol 30.9114583325049 mg
- Fat 16.9631124998177 g
- Fiber 2.13958955081304 g
- Protein 1.8667414576478 g
- Saturated Fat 9.40046770821984 g
- Serving Size 1 1 bar (41g)
- Sodium 95.23316664492 mg
- Sugar 6.6983235731949 g
- Trans Fat 1.06728604165735 g
- Calories 186 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F, line 8 x 8 square baking dish with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.*
- In a large mixing bowl add bananas, applesauce, milk and stir to combine. Add oats through salt and mix well to combine. Add dates and walnuts, stir enough to incorporate.
- Pour into prepared baking dish, level with spatula and top with chocolate chips if desired (I usually sprinkle half for the kids). Bake for 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes and cut into 8 bars. Serve hot, warm or cold with yogurt, peanut butter or whatever you like for breakfast.
Swapping quick oats for thick-cut rolled oats changes the final structure entirely, yielding a chewier, more substantial texture that holds together better under a knife. Fully ripe bananas featuring heavily speckled yellow peels supply the required natural sweetness and moisture without relying on refined sugars.
Accompaniments and Pairings
Because these bars rely on natural binding agents like flaxseed and applesauce rather than heavy fats, serving them alongside a protein-dense anchor balances the plate. Spooning cold Greek yogurt or warm natural peanut butter over the top introduces fats and proteins that slow digestion and sustain energy levels through the morning. Alternatively, pairing them with fresh berries provides an acidic contrast to the dense, sweet crumb.
- Use certified gluten-free oats if cross-contamination is a concern, noting that they absorb liquid slightly faster than standard oats.
- Almond milk can be replaced with dairy milk at a one-to-one ratio without altering the bake time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, or freeze individual squares wrapped in parchment for longer storage.
