Chewy Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars with Toasted Pecan Crumble

Chewy Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars With Toasted Pec

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:35 Mins

Servings:12 bars

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats (Not instant or quick-cooking)
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
• ½ cup Light Brown Sugar, packed
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon Fine Sea Salt
• ½ cup Unsalted Butter, melted
• ¼ cup Chopped Pecans (optional, toasted lightly)
• 1 ½ cups Very Ripe Bananas, mashed (Approx. 3 medium bananas)
• 1 Large Egg, room temperature
• ¼ cup Maple Syrup or Honey
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ½ teaspoon Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed preferred

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C. Line the 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on two sides (this is your 'sling'). Lightly grease the exposed pan walls.
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Add the chopped pecans (if using).
• Pour the melted butter over the dry mixture. Stir well with a spatula until the mixture is uniformly moist and crumbly, resembling coarse wet sand.
• Scoop out about 1 cup (roughly 1/3) of this mixture and set it aside for the topping.
• Transfer the remaining mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly and evenly using the bottom of a measuring cup or your hands to form a compact crust.
• In the second mixing bowl, mash the very ripe bananas until mostly smooth (a few lumps are welcome for texture).
• Add the room-temperature egg, maple syrup (or honey), vanilla extract, and lemon juice to the mashed banana. Whisk until just combined—do not overmix.
• Pour the banana filling evenly over the pressed oatmeal base. Use the spatula to gently spread it to the edges.
• Scatter the reserved oatmeal crumble mixture over the filling, ensuring an even distribution. Gently press down on the topping slightly, but don’t compact it completely.
• Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is set in the centre. A toothpick inserted should come out clean (if the crumbs are damp, that's fine).
• Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 60–90 minutes. This mandatory cooling time sets the structure of the bars.
• Use the parchment sling to lift the cooled bars out of the pan. Cut into 12 squares.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:240 calories

Protein:4 g

Fat:10 g

Carbs:30 g

Fiber:3 g

Sugar:14 g

Sodium:160 mg

Recipe Info

Category:Breakfast; Snack; Dessert

Cuisine:American

Banana Oatmeal Bars: The Breakfast Saviour

Quick Hook

Don’t you just hate it when your bananas turn that suspicious shade of brown overnight? Well, stop stressing. Because those little black spots are the secret weapon for these amazing Banana Oatmeal Bars . They taste exactly like the moist, cozy goodness of banana bread, but they are tucked up into a satisfyingly chewy bar format. It’s the perfect way to use up those overripe banana recipes and make something genuinely brilliant.

Brief Overview

I call these my Chewy Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars because they perfectly blend two classics: the satisfyingly hearty British flapjack and the spiced, moist American quick bread. It’s a match made in breakfast heaven.

Don’t worry about complicated techniques here. This is an Easy recipe—mostly dump, stir, and bake. From start to finish, you’re looking at about 55 minutes of active time. (Just remember that mandatory cooling period; it’s vital for structure!) This batch yields 12 proper, satisfying squares. It’s ideal for family breakfasts or bulk prep.

Main Benefits

If you’re hunting for a healthy breakfast option, look no further. These Breakfast Oat Bars Healthy are packed with slow-release fibre from the oats and potassium from the fruit. Honestly, they’ve saved my sanity on countless chaotic Tuesday mornings!

They are absolutely perfect for school lunchboxes, grab-and-go mornings, or a reliable mid-afternoon energy booster with a cup of proper English Breakfast tea. The secret magic is the texture. We get a soft, moist filling and those lovely golden edges, all topped with a delicate cinnamon banana flapjack recipe crumble.

I learned the hard way that the ripeness of the banana is non-negotiable. If they aren’t nearly black, your bars will be dry! (Trust me, I tried.) The intense aroma of the cinnamon and banana filling baking in the oven? That alone is worth the price of admission.

These Breakfast Banana Bars hold up beautifully, meaning they are fantastic easy meal prep bars . Now, let’s check the larder. You need those ripe bananas and a few store-cupboard staples to start whipping up this delicious Banana Oat Bars Recipe .

Hello there! Right, let’s talk about getting started on these amazing Banana Oatmeal Bars . This isn't just baking—this is salvaging those slightly scary, blackened bananas that have been abandoned on your fruit bowl. Seriously, if you want the best Chewy oatmeal banana bars , the blacker the banana, the better the flavour. This recipe makes the ultimate Breakfast Oat Bars Healthy alternative to grabbing something sugary on the commute. Think of them as Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars , but in a perfectly portable form.

Ingredients & Equipment

The Kit You Need: Essential Tools

Good news! You don't need a fancy stand mixer for this. This is proper home cooking. Grab your standard 8x8 inch (20x20 cm) baking pan . If you don't have this specific size, an equivalent square pan is fine, but you might need to adjust the baking time slightly.

Also crucial: parchment paper . Trust me, using a parchment ‘sling’ is the only way to lift these gorgeous things out for clean slicing later. Otherwise, a couple of medium mixing bowls and a sturdy fork for mashing are all that stand between you and these beautiful Easy meal prep bars .

Getting the Ingredients Right: The Magic List

The real secret to a satisfying Banana Oat Bars Recipe is using the right oats and the right bananas.

Main Ingredients

First up, the oats. We need 1 ½ cups (150 g) of proper, old-fashioned rolled oats. None of those quick-cooking instant flakes that turn to mush—we want that delightful chewiness that reminds me of a good, solid British flapjack. For the base, you’ll melt ½ cup (115 g) of unsalted butter. Use real butter, honestly; it gives that unbeatable nutty flavour we love in these Breakfast Banana Bars .

And those bananas? You need about 3 medium, very ripe bananas , mashed to yield 1 ½ cups (350 g) . This is a brilliant Overripe banana recipes trick! (Personal lesson learned: If your bananas aren't super ripe, the bars taste flat and you’ll need more sugar. Ripe equals sweet!)

Flavour Enhancers & Spicing Things Up

You can’t make something that tastes like banana bread without proper spicing. The combination of 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a little salt elevates the flavour dramatically. This is the heart of the Cinnamon banana flapjack recipe vibe. I also sneak in a tiny squeeze of lemon juice into the filling. That half teaspoon of fresh lemon juice doesn't make it taste lemony; it just brightens the whole flavour profile, stopping it from tasting too heavy or dull. This whole assembly makes for a fantastic Banana Oatmeal Bars Breakfast treat. If you need a Gluten free banana oat bars version, just swap the standard flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend and use certified GF oats!

Baking These Brilliant Breakfast Bars

Right then, time to get this lovely mess going. These Banana Oatmeal Bars are truly a testament to simple, delicious baking. You don't need fancy equipment, just good ingredients and a bit of patience (especially when it comes to cooling!). This process should feel quick and stress-free, perfect for a Sunday afternoon when you’re prepping for the week ahead.

Prep Steps

The secret to quick baking is setting up. This is what the chefs call mise en place , but we just call it 'not scrambling around the kitchen'.

1. Get the Heat Up: Preheat that oven straight away to 350° F ( 175° C) . Time is ticking!
2. Line the Pan: Grab your 8x8 inch pan and lay a sheet of parchment paper inside. Make sure it hangs over the edges—that’s your essential 'sling'. Trust me, this trick saves you from digging out your chewy oatmeal banana bars later.
3. Mash the Champions: If you haven’t already, mash those lovely overripe banana recipes stars. They should look almost liquid—the blacker they are, the sweeter the reward. This is crucial for the moisture in the final bar.

Step-by-Step Process

This is where the magic happens. We are making a unique combination of a crisp base and a moist, banana bread-like filling.

1. Mix the Dry Base: Combine your oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda, cinnamon (that delicious cinnamon banana flapjack recipe smell starts here), and salt in a large bowl. Stir until it all looks uniform.
2. Add the Fat: Pour in the melted butter. Stir quickly. You want a wet, shaggy crumble, like damp sand.
3. Reserve the Topping: Scoop out about a generous cup of that mixture and set it aside. That’s the crunch for later.
4. Press the Base: Take the rest of the mixture and press it firmly into your lined pan. Use the bottom of a glass to make it really compact. This forms the sturdy foundation for your Breakfast Banana Bars .
5. Prepare the Filling: In the second bowl, gently whisk your mashed bananas with the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla. Don’t overmix; just combine everything until smooth.
6. Layer Up: Pour the banana filling evenly over the pressed oat base. Spread it gently right to the corners.
7. Top and Bake: Sprinkle the reserved crumble mix evenly over the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes . The edges should be golden, and the centre should look set, not wobbly.

Pro Tips

If you want perfect, clean squares, these easy meal prep bars require one crucial step I learned the hard way.

• Patience is Key (My Biggest Lesson): Do not, under any circumstances, try to cut these while they are warm. I know the aroma of fresh Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars is tempting, but you will end up with a delicious spoonful of goo, not a bar. Let them cool completely on the rack for at least 60 to 90 minutes .
• For Healthy Breakfast Oat Bars: If you want a slightly Gluten free banana oat bars alternative, ensure you swap the flour for a GF blend and use certified GF oats. They taste just as hearty!
• Meal Prep Genius: Once cooled and cut, these store brilliantly in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days, making them the ultimate Banana Oatmeal Bars Breakfast solution. They actually firm up even more overnight, which is fantastic.

More Ways to Enjoy Your Banana Oatmeal Bars

You’ve done the hard work—your house smells absolutely incredible, thanks to that glorious cinnamon banana flapjack recipe magic wafting from the oven. Now that the Banana Oatmeal Bars are baked and fully cooled (we talked about the crucial cooling time, right?), let’s chat about how to serve, store, and tweak these beautiful creations. These Banana Bread Oatmeal Bars are truly versatile!

Serving Suggestions

These Chewy oatmeal banana bars are designed to be practical, but that doesn't mean you can't dress them up a bit.

For a proper Breakfast Oat Bars Healthy option, I always serve them slightly warm, maybe zapped quickly in the microwave for 15 seconds. Then, top it with a great big dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a tiny drizzle of honey or maple syrup. It adds a welcome creamy sharpness to the soft, spiced filling.

They are also spot on as an afternoon treat. Seriously, nothing beats a square of these warm Breakfast Banana Bars paired with a strong, black coffee or a classic cup of builder's tea. If you're feeling fancy, a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes them a lovely, rustic pudding.

Storage Tips: Easy Meal Prep Bars

This recipe is a champion for batch cooking and creating Easy meal prep bars .

Once completely cool, cut the bars into squares. I usually wrap individual portions in cling film or small reusable wax wraps. They keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days.

Safety Note: Because of the moist banana filling, storing them at room temperature is a no-go after the first 24 hours. Keep them chilled to maintain freshness and texture!

For freezing, wrap the individual squares tightly in foil, then place them in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to three months. Just let them thaw in the fridge overnight or on the counter for a couple of hours before eating.

Variations and Swaps

The base recipe is fantastic, but we all love a little customization, don't we?

1. Gluten-Free Adaptation

If you need a Gluten free banana oat bars option, simply swap out the all-purpose flour for a reliable 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Make sure your oats are certified gluten-free, too. The texture remains surprisingly good; you just get a slightly denser crumb.

2. Seasonal Flavour Boost

While this is a perfect Banana Oat Bars Recipe , don't be afraid to add other fruit. When using overripe banana recipes , you can fold in ½ cup of frozen blueberries or finely chopped apple right into the banana filling before baking. Just be aware this might increase the baking time by 5 minutes due to the extra moisture.

Nutrition Basics

We love that these bars are satisfying and filling. Oats provide excellent slow-release energy, making them ideal for a solid start to the day. Plus, they pack a good punch of dietary fibre. Because we rely on the natural sweetness of the ripe banana, they have less added sugar than most traditional cakes or shop-bought breakfast items. It’s a guilt-free way to enjoy a sweet, flavourful start.