Soft-Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars

Happy Tuesday lovelies! I’m busy gearing up for our last-minute Thanksgiving trip we’ll be taking to Thailand on Thursday. I never thought I’d be one leaving home for a holiday like Thanksgiving, but like I said before it’s not really celebrated here in Hong Kong. So, I thought just this once why not? I’ve been brainstorming a couple of healthy travel snacks to take on the plane with me. So, I present these delicious soft-baked banana oatmeal bars! They’re vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and really tasty.

 I’m a big snacker, but I always opt for whole foods over processed, packaged ones.

Most of the ones you find at the store have loads of added sugar, namely high fructose corn syrup or evaporated cane sugar, and other suspicious ingredients. I wanted to create a simple version that’s just as filling and that you can grab for a quick snack when you’re on the go. Enter the best ever, healthy 8-ingredient oatmeal bars.

They are vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and oil-free.

Thanks to bananas, there’s no refined sugar, eggs, or fat at all added to these yummy, chewy oatmeal bars. That’s the magic of ripe, spotty bananas right there. They’re perfect in baked goods and, when mixed with rolled oats, make the best base for oatmeal bars. These soft-baked bars are completely dairy-free, gluten-free, oil-free, refined sugar-free, and low fat.

I added maple syrup and low-glycemic coconut sugar to naturally sweeten them.

I felt like they needed some vanilla powder and cinnamon too which I basically add to everything. Mix some almond butter in there to help the bars stick together along with coconut water to lighten them up and there you have it!

I have to mention how dense these bars are.

They’re most definitely soft, chewy, doughy and thick too! Which is great because that means if you have one of these for breakfast, you’ll stay full all the way through the morning. They’re really good as a post-workout snack too. Try them warm with a dollop of almond butter or peanut butter or jam on top. Trust me, you’ll be hooked!

They are big, chewy, and delicious.

I made them over the weekend and now there’s only one left! They’re the best healthy snack because they’re made from only wholesome ingredients, packed with fiber from the oats, and won’t give you a sugar overload.

If you make these banana oatmeal bars, please share with me on Instagram @dayslikelaura! Also, you would like my carrot cake oatmeal bars.

Print Recipe

Soft-Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars

Healthy soft-baked banana oatmeal bars! The best for munching on the go and made in only one bowl with all wholesome ingredients.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time16 minutes mins

Total Time26 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana, oatmeal bars

Servings: 5 bars

Calories: 268kcal

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups gluten-free rolled oats + ¾ cup
• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 1 tbsp coconut sugar
• ½ cup mashed banana
• 1 tsp vanilla powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup coconut water
• 2 tbsp almond butter

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 225 degrees Celsius.
• Place 2 1/2 cup rolled oats in a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until you get a flour-like consistency.
• Transfer to a medium-sized bowl.
• Add in remaining 3/4 cups rolled oats, coconut sugar, vanilla powder, and cinnamon and mix until well combined.
• Add in maple syrup, almond butter, and mashed banana.
• Stir until completely combined.
• Pour in the coconut water and mix with a large spoon until fully incorporated.
• Transfer to a small baking dish (mine was 5 in. x 7.5 ilined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 16-18 minutes until the edges are slightly browned.
• Let cool for at least 30 minutes.
• Carefully lift from the dish and cut into 5 bars.

Notes

Store in a tightly sealed container in the fridge.