Skip the store-bought oat bars and make your own healthy breakfast bars at home with this simple recipe. Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, almond butter, dried figs, and chia seeds, these banana bars are loaded with nutrients and perfect for a quick breakfast on the go.
Mash a ripe banana, mix in all the dry ingredients, press into a tin, and bake. Once cooled, drizzle with melted dark chocolate for an added treat. These bars have 9 different plants in them, making them a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and plant protein.
Best part? You don’t need to spend money on pricey oat bars anymore! Make a batch, store them in the fridge, and enjoy a delicious, nutritious breakfast throughout the week.
Tips
- Line the tin – Use baking paper to prevent sticking and make it easier to lift the bars out.
- Pack it down firmly – Press the mixture down well with the back of a spoon so the bars hold together after baking.
- Cool completely – Let them cool on a wire rack before slicing. Cutting too soon = crumbly bars.
- Use a sharp knife – For clean slices, wipe the knife between cuts (especially with melted chocolate on top).
- Add chocolate after cooling – Make sure the bars are fully cool before drizzling chocolate, or it won’t set properly.
- Chill before slicing (optional) – For ultra neat bars, pop in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before cutting.
- Freezing tip: Place baking paper between slices to stop them sticking together.
Swaps
Almond butter: Swap with peanut butter, tahini, or cashew butter.
Banana: Use 100g apple purée or mashed cooked pear for a milder flavour.
Dried figs: Replace with dates, raisins, or finely chopped dried apricots.
Shredded coconut: Substitute with ground almonds or extra oats for a similar texture.
Chia seeds: Swap with ground flaxseeds.
Hemp seeds: Use sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead.
Coconut oil: Melted butter or olive oil both work well.
Dark chocolate: Try milk chocolate or a nut butter drizzle on top.
Storage
Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Fridge: Keeps well for up to 5 days—ideal if your kitchen is warm.
Freezer: Freeze in slices for up to 2 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge or for 30 minutes at room temperature.
More nibble ideas
- 3-Ingredient Chocolate Banana Cookies
- 6-Ingredient Best Healthy Banana Bread
- 5-Ingredient Healthy Almond & Banana Muffins
- One-Pan Banana Baked Oats
Healthy Banana Bars
Ingredients
- 100 g oats
- 1 ripe banana
- 80 g almond butter
- 4 dried figs finely chopped
- 40 g shredded coconut
- 20 g coconut oil melted
- 1 tbsp chia and
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Topping
- 30 g melted dark chocolate
Instructions
- In a bowl, mash the banana then add the rest of the ingredients. Mix until well combined.
- Pour the mix into a baking tin ( I have used a 9 inches loaf)
- Press down well with a spoon so the mixture is well compacted.
- Bake for 17 mins at 180C
- Let it cool down completely onto a baking rack before cutting into slices.