A satisfying grab-and-go breakfast or snack, Banana Bread Breakfast Bars are easy to make and allergy friendly.
This basic breakfast bar recipe is made with no refined sugar, wheat flour, or dairy and can be made egg-free. But most importantly, it tastes great.
Since hitting on the ingredient combination in the recipe below, I have made these bars countless times. The recipe is quick to prepare, provides a couple days worth of speedy breakfasts or snacks, and is a great way to use overripe bananas.
I purposely let some of our bananas sit on the counter a little too long so that I can make these at a moment’s notice. Overripe bananas may also be peeled and frozen for future use in this and other banana bread recipes (and smoothies too!).
For a small indulgence and a tried-and-true flavor combination, I do stir in a modest amount of peanut butter and chocolate chips. You may opt to use all of one variety or the other, or substitute raisins, nuts, and/or shredded coconut in their place.
A couple tablespoons of shredded coconut sprinkled on top prior to baking is a nice addition. I use the unsweetened variety, but sweetened may be used if preferred. Alternatively, a sprinkle of oats offers a visually appealing finishing touch as well.
Helpful hints: When preparing a batch, I often add just the dry ingredients to several additional airtight containers and store them for future use. It’s so easy to do while the ingredients are out, and then the wet ingredients can quickly be added for a fresh batch whenever desired.
And when your bananas become too ripe to eat but you don’t have time to bake? Simply peel them and store in the freezer so you have them when needed as well.
I’d love to know if you try this recipe. Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @fountainavenuekitchen on Instagram and Facebook. Your feedback is always appreciated.
Banana Bread Breakfast Bars (gluten-free with vegan option)
Yield: 8-12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) oat flour or 2 1/4 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 cups very ripe bananas (12 ounces, without skins, or about 3 medium-large bananas)
- 1 egg, optional (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup honey (may substitute agave)
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips (if requiring a vegan option, choose accordingly with the chips)
- 1/3 cup peanut butter chips
- Optional topping: 1 tablespoon oats and/or 2 rounded tablespoons shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and grease an 11×7 or 9×9 inch baking pan.
- If using whole oats, place the oats in a blender or food processor and blend for 1-2 minutes or until the oats resemble flour. Stop the blender and stir the oats a couple of times to ensure complete blending.
- Transfer the oat flour to a medium bowl. Stir in the cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside.
- Place the bananas in a large bowl and completely mash with a fork. Use the fork to whisk in the egg, and then add the vanilla and honey. Mix until creamy and thoroughly blended.
- Stir in the oat flour mixture, and mix until just combined.
- Reserve a tablespoon each of the chocolate and peanut butter chips. Fold in the remaining chips, and then pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Top with the optional oats, shredded coconut and the reserved chips.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until the center is just cooked through.
Notes
- Egg-free? I have made this recipe without the egg and it is still excellent. In fact, it is hard to tell the difference between the egg and the egg-free version of these moist bars. If eggs are not off-limits in your house, feel free to try both ways and see if you have a preference.
- Mix it up: I have made these with 1 cup of mashed banana and 1/2 cup of applesauce and they taste very similar. This is a great option if you are running low on overripe bananas. I haven’t tried the applesauce version without the egg, although I think it would work well.
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