Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars | Easy Meal Prep Breakfast

Looking for a quick, nutritious way to start your day? These baked banana oatmeal bars are soft, hearty, and full of flavor. Packed with rolled oats, mashed banana, and cozy spices, they’re the perfect solution for busy mornings or an afternoon snack. You can prepare them ahead of time, store them for the week, or freeze them for later. Naturally sweet and made without dairy or eggs, they’re a wholesome choice the whole family can enjoy. These bars are a comforting blend of nutrition and simplicity, making them a go-to favorite in any home kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These banana oatmeal bars strike the perfect balance between health and comfort. The natural sweetness from ripe bananas and applesauce keeps things light, while the oats and flour provide lasting energy and a satisfying texture. The warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg add that cozy, homemade feel, making every bite a treat. Best of all, the bars are easy to customize, whether you’re reducing sugar, avoiding gluten, or adding your favorite mix-ins. You’ll appreciate how easy they are to make and how well they keep for meal prep.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ripe bananas (2)
Choose very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots. They add sweetness, moisture, and structure to the bars.

Melted coconut oil (¼ cup)
This healthy fat helps the bars stay soft and moist. It can be swapped with another neutral oil if preferred.

Unsweetened applesauce (¼ cup)
Adds moisture and acts as a natural sweetener and egg replacer, keeping the recipe plant-based.

Coconut sugar (¾ cup)
With a subtle caramel flavor, this unrefined sugar sweetens the bars without being overpowering.

Vanilla extract (½ teaspoon)
A small amount of vanilla adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.

Old-fashioned rolled oats (1½ cups)
These oats are essential for structure and provide a chewy, hearty texture. Avoid using quick oats, which break down too easily.

Whole wheat pastry flour (¾ cup)
This lighter flour keeps the bars tender while adding fiber. For gluten-free needs, use a certified GF blend.

Baking powder (¾ teaspoon) and baking soda (¼ teaspoon)
These leavening agents help the bars rise slightly and prevent them from being too dense.

Salt (½ teaspoon)
Just enough to enhance the other flavors without making the bars taste salty.

Ground cinnamon (½ teaspoon) and nutmeg (½ teaspoon)
These warm spices add comforting, bakery-style flavor with every bite.

Raisins (¼ cup)
Add sweetness and chew. You can substitute with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or leave them out if preferred.

Chopped walnuts (½ cup)
Toasted walnuts add crunch and richness. They can be omitted or replaced with seeds for a nut-free version.

How to Make Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars

Making these bars is as simple as combining the wet and dry ingredients, folding everything together, and baking until golden. Toasting the walnuts beforehand brings out their flavor, while letting the bars cool ensures clean slices. These bars are great fresh, but they also taste just as good straight from the fridge or freezer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven
Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Toast the walnuts
Spread the chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven for 5 to 8 minutes. This enhances their flavor and crunch.

Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add melted coconut oil, applesauce, coconut sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully combined.

Step 4: Combine the dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 5: Combine wet and dry mixtures
Pour the banana mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients and stir just until everything is incorporated. Do not overmix.

Step 6: Add raisins and walnuts
Fold in the raisins and toasted walnuts gently, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

Step 7: Bake
Transfer the batter to the baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out nearly clean.

Step 8: Cool and cut
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into 12 pieces. This helps them set and hold together better.

Helpful Tips

Use bananas that are fully ripe for the best sweetness and texture. If your bananas are not ripe enough, bake them unpeeled at 300°F for 10 minutes to soften. Toasting the walnuts adds a nutty richness, but it’s optional if you’re short on time. Let the bars cool before cutting to avoid crumbling. If you prefer sweeter bars, feel free to sprinkle a touch of cinnamon sugar on top before baking. To double the batch, use a 9×13-inch pan and increase baking time slightly.

Details

Flavor: Sweet, warm, and slightly nutty with hints of banana and spice
Texture: Soft and chewy with bits of crunch from walnuts
Occasion: Ideal for meal prep, breakfast on the go, or a healthy snack
Prep Time: 8 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 38 minutes

Notes (Optional Variations or Substitutions)

To make these bars gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats and substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For a sugar-reduced version, omit the coconut sugar and let the natural sweetness from the bananas and applesauce shine through. You can also experiment with mix-ins like dark chocolate chips, chopped dates, or shredded coconut. If you’re avoiding nuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds make a great replacement for walnuts.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	221 kcal
Carbohydrates	32 g
Protein	4 g
Fat	9 g
Sugar	16 g

Estimates are based on one bar when the recipe is sliced into 12 equal servings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are baked banana oatmeal bars healthy for breakfast?
Yes. They are packed with fiber and healthy fats from oats and walnuts, and naturally sweetened with banana and applesauce, making them a smart and nourishing option.

Can baked banana oatmeal bars be made without added sugar?
Absolutely. You can skip the coconut sugar if you want a naturally sweet bar. The bananas and applesauce provide enough flavor for many people.

How do you keep banana oatmeal bars from drying out?
Avoid overbaking and be sure to store them in an airtight container. This keeps them soft and moist for days.

Can baked banana oatmeal bars be frozen for meal prep?
Yes. These bars freeze well. Wrap each bar individually and store in an airtight bag or container. Thaw overnight or reheat briefly in the microwave.

Storage Instructions

Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate for up to six days. For long-term storage, wrap them individually and freeze for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature or warm slightly in the microwave for a freshly baked feel.

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Conclusion

These baked banana oatmeal bars bring together wholesome ingredients and comforting flavor in one easy-to-make recipe. Whether you’re planning meals for the week or need something quick between meals, these bars fit the bill. They’re naturally sweet, customizable, and freezer-friendly, making them a practical and delicious addition to your kitchen rotation. Try them once and they just might become your go-to breakfast or snack all year long.

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