Description
These Homemade Banana Granola Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack made with ripe bananas, rolled oats, nuts, and a touch of sweetness from honey or maple syrup. Perfect for a quick breakfast or on-the-go energy boost, these bars combine natural ingredients and easy prep for a healthy treat the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts or almonds)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or dried fruit
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup nut butter (peanut, almond, or sunflower)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, honey or maple syrup, nut butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the rolled oats, chopped nuts, mini chocolate chips or dried fruit, cinnamon, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.
- Press mixture into pan: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press it down firmly and spread evenly to ensure the bars hold together after baking.
- Bake the bars: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Cool and slice: Let the granola bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift the mixture out using the parchment paper and slice into 8 to 10 bars.
Notes
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerate bars for up to one week to extend freshness.
- For a vegan option, use maple syrup instead of honey and choose dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Feel free to swap nuts with seeds such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds for nut-free variations.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months; just thaw before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
