featured 4109

Chewy Banana Oatmeal Bars with Honey and Cinnamon

 

Try these quick, easy, soft-baked banana oatmeal bars for a tasty snack, simple breakfast, or a wholesome treat.

3 Banana Oatmeal bars in a stack on a green plate

Have a few brown, spotty bananas on the counter? Save them and make these banana oat bars. They taste like banana bread but in bar form and are incredibly easy to prepare: combine six simple ingredients, press the mixture into a pan, and bake.

In about 12 minutes you’ll have chewy, moist bars perfect for breakfast, an on-the-go snack, or even a light dessert.

These bars are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and contain no added sugar. The natural sweetness comes from the bananas and dates, so they’re perfectly sweet without extra sweeteners.

I developed this recipe while nursing my son and avoiding wheat due to food intolerances in the family. The result was a simple, reliable recipe that’s now a regular in our kitchen.

Everyone in my family loves vegan banana bread, but these bars are a faster option when I want the sweetness of bananas and dates, chewy oats, and a bit of crunch from rice cereal. They’re a versatile, wholesome choice for quick breakfasts, post-workout snacks, or a healthy no-added-sugar treat.

Recipe Ingredients for Banana Oatmeal Bars

recipe ingredients overhead shot--bananas, bowls with oats, oat flour, dates, brown rice crisp cereal, and oil

This is a simple mix-and-bake recipe using everyday pantry ingredients. You’ll need:

Dates

1 cup finely chopped dates provide all the sweetness in this recipe. Dates are calorie-dense but nutrient-rich, offering fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamin B6. Their fiber helps steady blood sugar and supports digestion, while their antioxidants support heart and brain health.

Bananas

Use 3 very ripe, spotty bananas for maximum natural sweetness and easy mashing. Ripe bananas are high in potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, which helps you feel full and supports healthy blood sugar control.

Brown Crispy Rice Cereal

1½ cups unsweetened brown crispy rice cereal add a pleasant crunch and chewy contrast to the oats. Choose a gluten-free variety if you need to keep the recipe gluten-free.

Oats

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (or quick oats) create a soft, chewy texture. Both types work; use whichever you have on hand. For a gluten-free result, use certified gluten-free oats.

Oat Flour

½ cup oat flour replaces all-purpose flour and helps the bars hold together with a chewy, not crumbly, texture. If you don’t have oat flour, pulse ½ cup rolled oats in a blender until fine.

Avocado Oil

2 tablespoons avocado oil (or melted coconut oil) add healthy fats and improve texture. This small amount helps balance the bars and keeps them moist.

Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Line an 8×8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set it aside.

Step 3

Mash the bananas in a large bowl until smooth. Add the chopped dates, oats, oat flour, crispy rice cereal, and avocado oil. Mix until everything is evenly combined.

ingredients mixed together in a blue bowl next to a parchment paper lined square pan

Step 4

Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press it down firmly with the back of a wooden spoon or a spatula to create an even layer.

pan with pressed down oat mixture ready to bake

Step 5

Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the top just starts to turn golden brown.

Step 6

Let the bars cool in the pan before slicing into 9 squares (or cut into bar shapes if you prefer). I like to store them in the refrigerator for best texture. Enjoy!

Banana Oatmeal Bars cut into 9 squares

Tips and Tricks

stack of 3 banana oatmeal bars on a green plate with a black background

  • Add raisins, chopped walnuts, or chocolate chips (white, milk, or dark) for extra flavor—kids love these additions.
  • Stir in a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter for a creamy, richer bar; crunchy nut butter adds extra texture.
  • If you want a gluten-free result, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats and rice cereal.
  • Store baked bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Notes

  1. I haven’t tested every suggested add-in, but they should pair well with the base flavors.
  2. If you don’t have oat flour, pulse rolled oats in a blender until they form a fine flour.

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Total Time: 22 minutes
  • Yield: 9 bars
  • Diet: Vegan, nut-free, gluten-free (use certified ingredients)

Nutrition (per serving)

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 211
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 1.3 mg
  • Fat: 3.9 g
  • Carbohydrates: 35 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 3.3 g

Did you make this recipe?

Tag the recipe on social media and share your results—I love seeing how they turn out!