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Back to School Banana Bread Bars - featured image

Back to School Banana Bread Bars

  • Author: Emily
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

Soft, sweet, and lunchbox-friendly banana bread bars made with oats and ripe bananas. Designed for busy mornings, these bars are easy to make, hold together well, and are perfect for kids’ snacks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1 cup mashed)
  • 1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup neutral oil (e.g., avocado or light olive oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips
  • Optional: ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • Optional: ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
  3. Add the maple syrup, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk until well combined and slightly frothy.
  4. Add the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until the oats are coated.
  5. If using, fold in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit gently to distribute evenly.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment paper and transfer to a cooling rack. Let cool completely before cutting into 12 squares.

Notes

Use very ripe (black) bananas for maximum sweetness and flavor. Do not over-mix the batter once oats are added to avoid tough bars. Cool completely before cutting to prevent crumbling. Can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 12
  • Sodium: 120
  • Fat: 7
  • Saturated Fat: 1
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 4

Keywords: banana bread bars, back to school snacks, kid friendly snacks, oatmeal banana bars, healthy snacks, lunchbox ideas, easy baking

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Find it online: https://dinnerecipes.online/back-to-school-banana-bread-bars-5-easy-kid-snacks/