4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bars Recipe
These 4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bars are a simple, wholesome treat perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack. Made with ripe bananas, natural peanut butter, oats, and a touch of vanilla, these bars are naturally sweetened and baked to a soft, chewy perfection with melty chocolate chips.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup instant or quick cooking oats
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (divided)
Instructions
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a loaf pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the very ripe bananas until almost smooth. Add the smooth peanut butter and vanilla extract, stirring well to evenly combine the mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the instant or quick cooking oats, salt, and baking powder until everything is well incorporated. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a good texture.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in one-third of the chocolate chips to distribute them evenly through the batter, saving the remaining chocolate chips to sprinkle on top later.
- Assemble in Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spoon or spatula. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips evenly over the top to create a chocolatey crust.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick or knife inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully baked.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 6 to 8 pieces. This helps the bars set and makes cutting easier.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moist texture.
- Natural peanut butter works best to keep the recipe clean and wholesome, but any smooth peanut butter can be used.
- You can substitute chocolate chips with nuts or dried fruit if preferred.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars are easy to customize by adding cinnamon or other spices to taste.
