Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares

Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares, made with wholesome ingredients and naturally sweetened for a healthy snack or even breakfast!

Sometimes the recipes shared here are very planned according to the time of year or a particular holiday or celebration and other times they just sort of happen. These Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares are a perfect example of one of those spontaneous recipes that happened simply because we had overly ripe bananas. Not in the mood for banana bread or muffins, some kind of snack bar seemed the best way to go. The result, a simple healthy bar made with real food ingredients and naturally sweetened, perfect for snacking or even as part of breakfast.

These squares are very simple with just 10 ingredients you probably already have on hand. Just mix everything up and transfer to a baking dish. No fuss, not a lot of mess, and minimal effort. The best kind of recipe, if you ask me!

The main components are oats, flour, nut butter, and ripe bananas. I used my usual white whole wheat flour, but all purpose or a gluten free blend should work as well and of course be sure your oats are gluten free certified, if needed.

We've made these squares with almond butter and peanut butter which is delicious, but you can also make them with pretty much any nut or seed butter you like. Use sunflower butter and omit the walnuts for a peanut/nut free school safe snack, if needed.

You also want the bananas to be very ripe for these squares since they are providing most of the sweetness as well as flavor.

The chocolate drizzle is of course optional, but highly recommended. Be prepared for some major finger licking though, if it's warm were you live!

More snack bars to try:

• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
• Double Chocolate Mint Squares
• Cinnamon Raisin Butternut Squash Squares

If you try a recipe, let me know how it turns out! Leave a comment below or snap a pic and tag it @weelittlevegans on Instagram so I’ll be sure to see it!

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Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

20 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

Course: Breakfast, Snack

Servings: 16 squares

Author: Melissa

Ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• ¾ cup white whole wheat flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon baking powder
• 2 medium very ripe bananas, about 1 cup
• ¼ cup nut or seed butter
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts optional
• ¼ cup chocolate chips

Chocolate Drizzle:

• 2 tablespoon chocolate chips
• ½ teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease an 8 x 8 baking dish or line with parchment paper. Set aside. 

2. Combine oats, flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and stir to thoroughly combine. 

3. In a large bowl stir together bananas, nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla. 

4. Add a third of the flour mixture to wet ingredients and fold together. Continue adding flour and gently stir together until all flour has been added. Batter will be thick. 

5. Add walnuts, if using and chocolate chips and gently fold in. 

6. Spread batter in prepared baking dish in an even layer. 

7. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean. 

8. Allow to cool completely. 

9. To prepare chocolate drizzle. Combine chocolate and oil in a microwave safe dish and warm in 15 second intervals stirring between each until chocolate has melted. 

10. Drizzle chocolate over cooled oatmeal bars and place the pan in the fridge for 20 minutes or until chocolate has set and hardened. After set cut into desired number of squares. 

11. Store squares in the fridge.