4 Ingredient Banana Bars
on Apr 03, 2024, Updated May 06, 2025
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Looking for an easy, wholesome snack your toddler will actually eat? These soft and chewy Banana Bars are a perfect choice! Made with ripe bananas, oats, and just a few simple pantry staples, they’re naturally sweetened with no added sugar, freezer-friendly, and ideal for breakfast, snack time, or even a quick lunchbox treat. These healthy banana bars are great for toddlers, kids, and even picky eaters, offering a nutritious alternative to store-bought granola bars. Whether you’re trying to use up overripe bananas or just want an easy toddler snack recipe, these bars are a delicious and family-approved option.
Why These Healthy Banana Bars are Perfect for Toddlers
- Nutritious Ingredients: These homemade banana bars are packed with wholesome ingredients like bananas, peanut butter, and oats, providing essential nutrients including fiber, protein, and healthy fats for growing toddlers and family members.
- Easy to Make: With just four simple ingredients and minimal preparation time, these bars are quick and convenient to whip up whenever you need a healthy snack.
- Customizable: Feel free to customize these bars to suit your family’s preferences. Add in extras like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit for extra flavor and texture.
- Portable Snack: These easy bars are perfect for on-the-go snacking. Pack them in lunchboxes, take them to the park, or enjoy them as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up wherever you are.
- Kid-Friendly: The sweet and chewy texture of these bars, combined with the delicious flavor of bananas and chocolate chips, is sure to be a hit with toddlers and older kids alike.
Ingredients
- 5 mashed bananas
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
How to Make These Banana Oat Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas, then stir in the peanut butter, rolled oats, and chocolate chips. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Spread it out evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and the bars feel set.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let the banana oatmeal bars cool completely before slicing into squares.
Substitutions
Bananas: Very ripe bananas are best for this recipe. If you’re out of bananas swap them with unsweetened applesauce or mashed sweet potato.
Oats: Quick oats can be used for a softer texture.
Peanut butter: Use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
Chocolate chips: You can replace them with chopped nuts, fruit, or raisins for a tasty twist.
Storing Extra Banana Bars
Any leftover banana oat bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the bars individually wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Common Questions
Can I make these banana bars gluten-free?
- Yes! Just use certified gluten-free oats to make the bars completely gluten-free. Always double-check labels to avoid cross-contamination.
How ripe should the bananas be?
- The riper, the better. Bananas with brown spots are perfect—they’re sweeter and mash more easily, which gives the bars great flavor and texture.
How do I make them nut-free?
- The peanut butter helps bind the bars and adds healthy fats, but you can use a nut-free alternative like sunflower seed butter or skip it entirely—just know the bars might be a bit softer.
More Healthy Toddler Snack Ideas
Strawberry Oat Bars – Naturally sweetened and packed with fruit, these soft bars make the perfect snack or breakfast for toddlers.
Peanut Butter Banana Bars – A protein-packed treat made with simple ingredients—great for busy mornings or after-school snacks.
Raspberry Muffins – Soft, fluffy, and bursting with berries, these muffins are a fun way to serve fruit in a toddler-friendly form.
Pumpkin Oat Bars – Warm spices and hearty oats make these bars a cozy, nutritious option for fall snacking or breakfast on the go.
If you loved these kid-friendly Banana Bars let me know! Tag me @reallittlemeals so I can hear about all of your delicious creations!
4 Ingredient Banana Bars
Ingredients
- 5 bananas, mashed
- 1 cup peanut butter, or other nut or seed butter
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, peanut butter, rolled oats, and chocolate chips. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Once the ingredients are evenly mixed, transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread the mixture evenly in the dish, smoothing out the top.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the bars are set.
- Once baked, remove the banana bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the dish before slicing into bars.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Didn’t have chips, used sultanas and almond butter, came out really nice
excellent!!
These are our new go-to! So fast and easy super sweet if you use really ripe bananas!
Yay I’m happy you like them!
This is similar to a baked oatmeal but less dry. I put unflavored protein (bobs red mill) in to make it extra hearty. It’s good with the chocolate chips but I think would taste better with strawberries. I gave one star off because it wasnt spectacular but it is a worth your while snack for kids. I enjoyed as well.
Made these today and my toddler instantly asked for more!
Should these be refrigerated or can they be stored at room temperature?