Your new favorite way to use up ripe bananas! This healthy and simple recipe for Blueberry Banana Oat Bars is so easy and tasty. Make ahead and have a delicious and healthful breakfast or snack at any time.
What is it with bananas and avocados that they seem to take forever to ripen and then suddenly turn brown?! I’m still out on what to do with an overripe avocado. As for bananas, I look forward to seeing those brown spots progress.
There are so many delicious breakfast and snack treats you can make with overripe bananas. These Blueberry Banana Oat Bars are definitely one of them.
I came up with the recipe when I had, once again, way too many ripe bananas on my hands. Needing a change from my Classic Banana Bread recipe and my Whole Wheat Banana Muffins (which are both super delicious by the way!) I also decided to incorporate some equally sad looking blueberries I had in the fridge. For a vegan option, check out Eggless Banana Bread.
This recipe is inspired by those trendy baked oatmeal recipes, which are amazing, by the way. I personally love this recipe for 1 Bowl Baked Oatmeal from Sally’s Baking Addiction. However, what I prefer about mine is that you don’t have to heat it up or serve with milk, you can just grab and go. It’s almost like eating a tasty dessert bar, except that it’s good for you!
Notice that there is no oil or butter used in the recipe… not a mistake! You just don’t need it with the ripe bananas. These bars turn out perfect with no added fat.
What are Banana Oat Bars?
These Blueberry Banana Oat Bars are a cross between oatmeal and a muffin. They are highly portable and completely make ahead, ideal for a grab-and-go healthy breakfast.
Firstly, mash your overripe bananas in a large bowl. Then stir in the brown sugar and egg. This recipe calls for only a ¼ cup of brown sugar, but you could keep it out entirely if you wanted. Also, you could substitute maple syrup for an equally delicious bar.
Next, stir in the remaining ingredients and pour half the batter into a greased 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch greased baking pan. Sprinkle on the blueberries then cover with the remaining batter.
Let the bars cool before cutting and refrigerating. Alternately, you can freeze them in an airtight container for up to two months.
Tried these bars? Be sure to comment below and let me know how you liked them!
Blueberry Banana Oat Bars
Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup whole wheat flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a bowl, stir together the bananas, egg, and brown sugar. Add in the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt, and mix to combine. Pour half of the batter into the pan. Sprinkle the blueberries over the batter then pour the remaining batter over the blueberries.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes until bars are set and a toothpick inserted in the bars comes out clean. Let cool slightly before cutting.
Notes
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Can also be frozen for up to two months.
- Feel free to substitute other berries for the blueberries.
- To make gluten-free, use ground up oats in place of the whole wheat flour.
- Make even healthier by adding 2 tablespoons chia seeds and flax seeds to the batter.
- To make vegan, substitute maple syrup for the brown sugar and omit the egg altogether.
Nutrition
Delicious recipe! Thank you. I sort of baked similar few years back. Called blueberry buckle. A coffee cake?
No idea. Loved someone recipe. Question; can I substitute blueberries pie filling from a can?
What’s the difference between blueberriey buckle and blueberry bars?
I will definitely try this one with frozen blueberries. Cheaper. And just as delicious.
Thank you Angela for all your incredible recipes. Cooking or bay you are the best!
Thank you so much for the kind words! A buckle is made with a streusel topping. Here, the berries get mixed into the bars for a more uniform look. Additionally, these blueberry banana oat bars are more of a healthy treat rather than dessert. I would not recommend using blueberry pie filling as it will make the bars too runny and they won’t be able to set up.
Thanks for the comment! 🙂
Delicious!!!! I used Costco dried blueberries, substituted apple pie spice for the cinnamon, and added 1/2 tsp of vanilla. So much tastier than store-bought cookies or pastries! Big plus that my house smelled wonderful while they were baking! A great way to use up extra overripe bananas. Thanks for the recipe!
Yay! I love this. Thanks for the comment! 🙂
These were delicious…husband approved. I subbed Stevia brown sugar, added 1/2 tsp vanilla, and sprinkled slivered almonds on top of the blueberries. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
In the oven now!!! The only things I did differently was dbl the recipe because I had 7 bananas, used Splenda and added some cinnamon, vanilla and slivered almonds just because. Cant wait to dive into them! Love one bowl recipes!!!!! Thank you!!
Added some dark choc chip pieces too. The kids love them so that’s a bonus.
Great idea!
Very yummy I did add a splash of vanilla extract though.
So good! I will confess to adding a dollop or two of coconut oil to the recipe.
Great recipe. Unfortunately I only had two ripe bananas, so that’s what I used. I also sprinkled unsweetened coconut flakes on top. Very tasty!! Will definitely make again.
Best recipe ever- I subbed honey for the brown sugar, as I’m trying to use less processed sugar.
Thank you!
please, bananas come in all lengths. How much mashed banana exactly? Ready to try. Want to take it to a wedding.
It’s about 1 1/2 cups of mashed banana total. Enjoy!
CAN YOU DOUBLE RECIPE AND MAKE IN 9 X13 PAN??
Sure! It will just need to bake a bit longer since it’s a thicker bar. I would add about 5-10 minutes to the bake time and then test it with a toothpick.
Could I substitute with all purpose flour? These bars look delicious, have great reviews, and I can’t wait to try them!
Sure! That works. Enjoy 🙂
Any thoughts on excluding the brown sugar? Want to make for my
2 year old!
You can try using honey or maple syrup instead, or just omit it altogether.
Easy and delicious. A keeper for sure.
Sweeteners, use raw sugar, coconut sugar, or any sugar good for baking and that works for your family. Or like Angela stated, leave it out. Love the vegan tip.
My personal opinion is, I don’t use precious honey, because heat over 105 degrees breaks it down, losing some benefits of the honey. That doesn’t mean you still can’t use it.
Same for the flour, almond, wheat, oat, etc. Measuring by volume helps.
This is a fantastic recipe, and I don’t think you can go wrong being creative. I’m always looking for simple, quick, and healthy snacks! Adding Chia seeds, craisins, walnuts, chocolate bits . . .all depends on your taste and health issues. Next, I’m going to try adding a cream cheese mixture.
Thank you, Angela, for bringing this one and the extra tips to us.
Blueberry lover!
You can also use maple syrup in place of brown sugar. I have used that..
Delicious and very easy
My second time making these and they just keep tasting better and better after every bite! They are so yummy and a great preform out snack for me! I love them! I will be making these every single week!
The first time I only used two bananas… the second time I followed the recipe and used three and noticed a blast of flavor difference. Definitely needs three bananas!
The perfect grab and go breakfast! LOVE the blueberry banana combo! And with frozen blueberries, I can make those all year round
what a great start to the day! and as you say, a super use of bananas that have gotten a bit too ripe. Now, to find a similar way to repurpose those avocados…
This is a perfect recipe for those super rushed mornings when the teenager won’t get out of bed on time to eat breakfast! I can throw one of these in her hand as she runs out the door to catch the bus!
Yes! I totally agree 🙂
One of my favorite combo. These bars looks so delicious. Love it!
It can easily become my new favorite way to start a day – healthy, delicious and so nice. Yum!