Banana Protein Breakfast Bars
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 1/2 cup protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or crushed walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This makes it much easier to lift the bars out once they are finished baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, peel the ripe bananas and mash them thoroughly using a fork or a potato masher. You want a relatively smooth consistency with only a few small chunks remaining for the best texture.
- Add the peanut butter, honey (or maple syrup), and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir everything together until the mixture is well-combined and creamy.
- Add the rolled oats, protein powder, cinnamon, and salt into the bowl. Stir with a spatula until all the dry ingredients are fully moistened. If you are using chocolate chips or walnuts, fold them in gently at this stage.
- Transfer the batter into your prepared baking pan. Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to press the mixture down firmly and spread it evenly into the corners. A firm press ensures the bars hold their shape after slicing.
- Place the pan in the center of the oven and bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center feels set to the touch. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out and slicing into eight rectangular bars.