Description
Creamy peanut butter and ripe bananas dance together in these irresistible 4 ingredient bars. Wholesome, quick, and delightfully simple, you’ll savor each sweet, nutty bite of this effortless treat that comes together in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups instant or quick-cooking oats
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 3 super ripe bananas
- ¼ cup (60 ml) smooth natural peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings:
- ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9-inch by 5-inch loaf pan by lightly coating with cooking spray or lining with parchment paper.
- Thoroughly mash ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until they reach a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Introduce smooth peanut butter and pure vanilla extract to the mashed bananas, stirring until the mixture becomes uniformly blended.
- Gradually fold rolled oats, kosher salt, and baking powder into the banana mixture, ensuring all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently incorporate two-thirds of the chocolate chips into the batter, reserving the remaining chips for final topping.
- Carefully transfer the mixed batter to the prepared loaf pan, using a silicone spatula to create an even surface.
- Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips across the top of the batter for an appetizing finish.
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, monitoring until a clean knife or toothpick inserted into the center comes out without wet batter.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars rest in the pan for 10 minutes to stabilize their structure.
- Complete cooling on a wire rack before slicing into 6 to 8 uniform bars for serving.
Notes
- These delectable bars combine just four ingredients for a quick, nutritious treat perfect for breakfast or snacking.
- Mashed bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, eliminating the need for additional sugar or oils.
- Oats create a hearty texture while delivering essential fiber and whole grain benefits to the recipe.
- Using creamy peanut butter adds protein and rich flavor that complements the banana’s gentle taste profile.
- Chocolate chips transform the simple bars into an indulgent experience with minimal extra effort.
- Cooling the bars completely ensures they hold together well and develop a satisfying, dense consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 185 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg