Quick cooking oats, homemade oat flour, and crisped rice cereal form the base of these delectable treats, meaning that the bars can be made gluten-free, as long as you use the certified gluten-free versions of these cereals.
Add in honey, natural-style peanut butter (yes, the messy kind!), and a mashed, ripe banana, and you are well on your way to sweet snacking bliss.
These bars come together quickly, using only two bowls. Oh, and a food processor, but who’s counting?! Simply, mix the dry ingredients, mix the wet ingredients, and combine. Pour into a parchment-lined square pan, pat down very well, and bake for about 18 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for them to cool completely before cutting and devouring.
If you are more disciplined than me and my tot, you might even have some left over to save for another day! The recipe makes eight bars that age gracefully on the counter, requiring little attention. Perfect for lunch boxes, afternoon snacks, and breakfasts on-the-go.
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PinDescription
Banana bread meets peanut butter oat bars in this soft and chewy snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick cooking oats
- 1/2 cup oat flour (grind oats in a blender or food processor)
- 1/2 cup crisped rice cereal
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 banana, very ripe
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons natural-style peanut butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8″ x 8″ x 2″ baking pan with parchment paper, trimmed or folded so that only two sides hang over the edge and the other two don’t go up the sides of the pan. Lightly grease the parchment and exposed pan or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl combine oats, oat flour, crisped rice cereal, baking soda and salt. Mix well and set aside.
- In another bowl, mash banana with a fork until smooth. Add peanut butter, honey, brown sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon and stir to combine.
- Pour the peanut butter and banana mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Pour into the prepared baking pan and press down firmly with your hands, using another piece of parchment paper or wax paper to keep the mix from clinging to your hands.
- Bake on the center rack of your oven for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges just start to turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into eight bars.
- To store, wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Can be refrigerated to prolong life or frozen if desired.
Keywords: peanut butter banana oat bars
