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!
Ingredients
The main components are oats, flour, nut butter, and ripe bananas. I use 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.
Instructions
These snack squares are very easy to make. Combine dry ingredients in one bowl. In another large bowl combine the wet ingredients. Incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet to form a thick batter. Next, fold in the walnuts and chocolate chips. Spread in prepared baking dish then bake until lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to completely before drizzling with melted chocolate, if desired.
Equipment
You'll need an 8x8 baking dish to make these squares.
Storage
Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Good for 4-5 days.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think! Leave a review and rating in the comments below. This helps me continue to provide great recipes for you.
Recipe
Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Squares
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup white whole wheat flour or all purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 medium very ripe bananas mashed, 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
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease an 8 x 8 baking dish or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine oats, flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl and stir to thoroughly combine.
- In a large bowl stir together bananas, nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla.
- 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. The batter will be thick.
- Add walnuts, if using and chocolate chips and gently fold in.
- Spread batter in prepared baking dish in an even layer.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes or until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely.
- 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.
- 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.
- Store squares in the fridge.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!