Peanut Butter Banana Oat Bars

# What You Need:

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed

02 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

03 - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

05 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

06 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

07 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

02 - In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.

03 - Add peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.

04 - Add oats, salt, cinnamon, and optional mix-ins like nuts and chocolate chips. Stir until evenly combined.

05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly with the back of a spoon or spatula.

06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to cut.

07 - Lift bars out using the parchment overhang and slice into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

01 -

No oven required—just a mixing bowl and your hands, which feels like cheating when the result tastes this good.
They come together in 10 minutes, but taste like you actually put thought into your snacking.
That creamy-chewy texture keeps you satisfied without the sugar crash that usually follows.

02 -

Don't skip the chilling time—I learned this the hard way when I tried to eat one after 20 minutes and it fell apart in my hands like the world's most delicious crumble.
Overworking the mixture turns it dense and heavy, so stir just until combined and then stop; the lightness in these bars comes from restraint.

03 -

Press the mixture down really firmly in the pan—loose bars will crumble, so don't be shy with pressure and patience.
If your peanut butter is the natural kind with a layer of oil on top, stir it in before measuring for richer flavor and better binding.