Description
These Easy Banana Bread Granola Bars are a wholesome and delicious snack made with overripe bananas, rolled oats, seeds, and natural sweeteners. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, these bars offer a satisfying blend of textures and flavors, making them ideal for breakfast on-the-go or a healthy snack anytime.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 cups rolled oats (gluten free)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup sultanas
- 3 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large bananas (as overripe as possible)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Tin: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) and line the base and sides of a 9-inch square or rectangular cake tin with baking paper to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, sultanas, and ground flaxseed until evenly distributed.
- Mash Bananas and Mix Wet Ingredients: Thoroughly mash the overripe bananas until you achieve a thick paste. Stir in the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt to create a flavorful wet mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the banana mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir well to combine everything evenly.
- Press Mixture into Tin: Transfer the combined mixture into the lined baking tray. Press it down firmly using the back of a spoon or your fingertips to ensure there are no gaps and the mixture is evenly spread out.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 35 minutes, or until the edges start turning a deep golden brown and the center feels firm to the touch.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the tin before slicing into bars.
- Optional Extra Baking for Firmness: If the bars feel slightly damp or wet on the underside after the initial baking, carefully remove them from the tin, flip them upside down onto a baking tray, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. This step can be done before or after cutting the bars.
Notes
- Use overripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- For gluten-free bars, ensure the rolled oats are certified gluten free.
- If you prefer a different flavor profile, try adding nuts or dried fruit variations.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- These bars make a great on-the-go breakfast or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
