Breakfast cookies and breakfast bars are quick, on-the-go kind of breakfast for those busy mornings when you don't have time to sit down and eat. Instead of reaching for store bought bars loaded with sugar and other artificial ingredients, having home made breakfast cookies/bars ready to go is such an amazing option. Bake it ahead on weekends and store it in the fridge/freezer and you are all set.
Yet another baking recipe using banana! The same old story...had over ripe bananas and was looking for a good recipe and stumbled upon this banana breakfast bars recipe. Luckily I had all the ingredients at home, so proceeded with the recipe immediately.
I used an extra banana for the egg to be replaced in this banana oatmeal breakfast bar recipe. You can also try using ¼ cup of yogurt or silken tofu instead of the egg. I used banana itself because had a lot at home which I wanted to finish off as quickly as possible.
As the name implies, this is a healthy oatmeal banana breakfast bar but not just reserved for breakfast, it's perfect for any time of the day. Check out here for more baking recipes using banana.
Recipe
Healthy Banana Breakfast Bars
Ingredients
- 3 medium bananas (very ripe)
- ¼ cup avocado oil or other oil of your choice
- ¼ cup coconut palm sugar or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
Optional:
- ¼ cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (I used almond butter)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C.
- Line a 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, with extra sheet hanging out on both the sides and lightly grease it with non-stick cooking spray. Using aluminum foil will make it easy to take the baked bar out. If you don't have foil, grease the pan generously with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the bananas in a large bowl and mash it well with the back of a fork or a potato masher. Its not necessary that you mash it smoothly. Few chunks are okay.
- Stir in the oil, coconut sugar/brown sugar and vanilla extract. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- Now stir in the baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix well.
- Next incorporate the flour and oats and mix. Some lumps are fine. You may have to add a tablespoon or two of water/milk to the batter if it appears to be thick.
- Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake it for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes. Use the foil hanging out to lift the baked bar from the pan and place it on the wire rack to cool completely before slicing it into individual bars. If not doing the optional drizzle then you can cut it into slices once it is cooled completely.
- If you want to do the drizzle, melt white chocolate and the nut butter in 30 seconds increments in the microwave oven until it's smooth. Place the melted chocolate in a zip-loc bag and cut the tip and drizzle it over the bar. Leave it for a while for the icing to harden and then cut it into individual slices.
My Notes
- Either consume it within a day or two or else store it in the freezer. It doesn't keep well on the counter for longer duration because of the over ripe bananas.
- You may also add ¼-1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or any other nuts of your choice. I avoided it because I wanted to send it to school with my son.
Ace says
made this for this weeks breakfast, everything mixed together well and tasted good! i used bananas right from the store instead of ripe ones so they dont look like the picture but i put them in the fridge and they have lasted so far! thanks for the recipe!
Madhuram says
You're very welcome, Ace. Thank you for tyring the recipe.
Mary anna palmer says
the ingredients list coconut Palm sugar and the directions refer to brown sugar - don’t understand
Madhuram says
Thank you for pointing out the discrepancy, Mary Anna. The original recipe called for brown sugar which I have substituted with coconut palm sugar. So you can use either. I have updated the recipe and instructions too.
Sue says
Great recipe that comes together nicely. I did substitute applesauce for the oil and nobody will know except me. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Madhuram says
Thank you very much for the feedback, Sue.
Cathleen Cindric says
Hi! Can I substitute applesauce for the oil?
Madhuram says
Yes it should work Cathleen. Probably it might need a few more minutes in the oven.
Athi says
Hi Madhuram,
Tried it today the taste was good, this is definitely a keeper recipe.
Few alterations tat I made replaced whole wheat pastry flour with coconut flour n added powdered walnuts.
Thanks
Madhuram says
Oh nice to know Athi. Thanks.
Terri says
What can be substituted for the wheat pastry?
Madhuram says
You can use all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour