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5-Minute Banana Oatmeal Bars: Quick Breakfast Prep with Only One Banana

These quick banana oatmeal bars are a perfect breakfast solution that tastes like banana bread but comes together in just minutes. Made with one ripe banana and simple pantry ingredients, they're wholesome cookie bars perfect for busy mornings, healthy snacks, or meal prep.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 ripe banana (the spottier, the better!)
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional add-ins: 1/4 cup chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mash your ripe banana in a medium bowl until smooth. The riper the banana, the sweeter your bars will be naturally!
  2. Add all remaining ingredients to the mashed banana. Stir until well combined. The mixture will be thick and slightly sticky - that's perfect!
  3. Line a small baking dish (8x8 inch works well) with parchment paper. Transfer the oatmeal mixture and press it firmly into an even layer about 1/2 inch thick.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are golden brown. The bars will firm up as they cool, so don't worry if they seem soft when they come out of the oven.
  5. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares. This resting time helps them set up properly.

Notes

Use bananas with brown spots for natural sweetness, rolled oats create best texture, store in airtight container for 3 days or freeze for 3 months