For a healthy pre- or post- workout snack, try these homemade energy bars with peanut butter, banana, and oats! Similar to granola bars, they’re easy to make with only 5 ingredients, and they’re high in protein, fiber, and healthy carbs to give you that boost of energy you need.
The other day, I had a cooking catastrophe in an attempt to make healthy “cookies.”
Well, catastrophe may be kind of a strong word. Because out of it was born these super tasty, super healthy peanut butter and banana energy bars with only 5 ingredients! Here’s the story.
I got it in my head that I wanted to be “healthy” even though I was craving a cookie something fierce.
So, I tried making those two-ingredient “cookies” you always see on Pinterest… you know, the ones made only from mashed bananas and oats?
I am telling you right now: bananas and oats do not a cookie make.
If you want a cookie, do NOT attempt this, whatever you do. To future Elizabeth: when you want cookies, just make them! With BUTTER. And FLOUR.
Like these spicy ginger date cookies. Or these orange chai spice cookies.
But, like I said before, I did learn something from the experience! While my two-ingredient experiment did not taste anything like the cookies I was craving, they didn’t taste bad.
They actually had a fluffy, banana bread-ish texture even though it had no flour (since bananas firm up when they bake and act as a binding agent). They were moist, just like banana bread, and somewhat sweet, from the natural sugars in the banana.
And then my food blogger brain got to thinking: this would make a great energy bar!
With some modifications, of course. This is Bowl of DELICIOUS, after all, not Bowl of “Eh, not bad.” And these bars are definitely delicious.
But I DID whip up these delicious and healthy breakfast cookies as well, packed with dried fruit and oats. Yum.
What makes these peanut butter and banana oat bars healthy?
These granola bars have only 5 healthy, natural ingredients: bananas, peanut butter, oats, nuts/seeds, and honey.
Throw a little cinnamon/vanilla/other spices in there too, if you’re feeling crazy.
Maybe even some chocolate chips! YUM.
They are packed full of carbs, healthy fats, and protein, with nothing acidic or too flavorful to cause indigestion while working out, and they will keep you full and satisfied for a long time.
They are the PERFECT pre-hike/pre-run/pre-workout snack. WAY better than a Power Bar, for sure!
How to make peanut butter, oat, and banana energy bars
They are so easy to make. Just mix some the ingredients with a mixer (I use my KitchenAid mixer), spread in a baking dish, and bake.
- First, mix mashed banana, oats, peanut butter, sliced almonds, and some honey (and vanilla extract and cinnamon for extra credit) with a standing or hand mixer. The dough will be quite thick.
- Line a baking dish with parchment paper and spread the dough in as evenly as possible
- Bake and slice!
One important note: make sure you allow to cool completely before you cut into it, otherwise it may fall apart.
Tips and Tricks
- For ripe bananas whenever you want them, store very ripe extras in your freezer. When you want to use them, just microwave for one minute, peel, and you have perfectly soft, ripe bananas for baking.
- For a peanut butter substitute– you can substitute almond butter or another nut butter. I sometimes make my own peanut butter– it’s SO EASY.
- Instead of sliced almonds– you can use any combination of nuts and/or seeds you want. Pecans, peanuts, or other nuts, in addition to seeds such as sunflower, flax, or pumpkin seeds can be used as well.
- For a nut-free version, you can easily substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter, and the sliced almonds with sunflower and pumpkin seeds.
Use whatever you have in your pantry to make it easy!
What do these energy bars taste like?
These energy bars are kind of like granola bars, but have a bread-ier, fluffier texture to them. They aren’t as crunchy as your traditional granola bars.
In fact, they taste very much like a dense banana bread.
They are moist, they bind together well, and they are sweet and salty from the peanut butter and honey. They stay good at room temperature for a week, they are inexpensive to make, and are freezable.
And best of all, they give you a huge boost of energy from all-natural, real ingredients. They are perfect not only for before working out, but for a snack at work, for a breakfast on the go, or for road trips with hungry kids.
Or road trips with hungry adults.
Speaking of road trips, here is the real reason why I made these! Zach and I are driving to Maine tomorrow and are planning on bringing these energy bars for snacking on for the four hour drive.
We’re also going snowshoeing! These energy bars will be great to bring with us on our trek in the wilderness.
If we get stranded, at least we will have snacks.
Other recipes with bananas and oats
- DIY no bake chewy granola bars
- How to make your own instant oatmeal packets
- Cardamom coconut granola
- Healthy Banana Bread made with olive oil
- Blueberry, banana, and oat muffins
Check out all my appetizer and snack recipes here.
Did you make this peanut butter and banana energy bars recipe? Please click the stars below to comment and Rate this Recipe
5 Ingredient Peanut Butter and Banana Energy Bars
Equipment
- Hand mixer
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup, for a vegan version
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon optional
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds or other nut/seed combination
Instructions
- Add oats (2 cups) and almonds (1 cup) and mix until combined.
- Turn out onto a parchment covered baking dish (about 9x9 inches). Press and flatten with a spatula until evenly distributed.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until golden brown on edges.
- Allow to cool completely before cutting bars.
- Store at room temperature for a week or freeze for up to 6 months in an airtight container or wrapped individually in plastic wrap.
Notes
- Variations: Add chocolate chips, other spices like nutmeg, or other extracts like almond.
- For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter and use sunflower seeds and/or pumpkin seeds instead of almonds.
- If you're gluten-sensitive, make sure to buy gluten-free oats.
- If your peanut butter is salt-free, I recommend adding 1/4 teaspoon or so of kosher salt to the mix.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
Norma
I added a touch of cayenne! Good!!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Oh wow! That’s such a fun addition- sounds amazing! Glad you liked it :-)
Eric Zickler
My new favorite snack bars!
I add shredded coconut, sunflower seeds & banana creme protein powder..
Elizabeth Lindemann
Ooo love the idea of adding coconut! Glad you liked it, and thanks!
Karen
Does your peanut butter contain salt? Mine doesn’t and I am wondering if I should add some salt to the recipe.
Elizabeth Lindemann
Great point! I do make this with salted peanut butter, so adding about 1/4 teaspoon or so of salt to the mix would probably help if your PB doesn’t have salt. Thanks for bringing this up- I’m going to add a note to the recipe card about this!
Amy
Hi! I’d love to make these, but sadly cannot have oats! Any chance I can substitute in almond flour? Or another flour? Thank you!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hm, I’ve never tried it, but these bars are very forgiving! I think trying almond flour (or maybe even coconut flour) wouldn’t hurt. I’d probably only use a cup of it, since it’s a lot more dense than oats. Hope that helps and hope it comes out good- I’d love to know how that substitution works out for you if you try it!
Amy
Okay, will do! Thanks very much.
Ariana
If we were to add almond flour so they rise and are a little fluffy, how much do you suggest to add?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hm, I’m not sure that almond flour would cause them to rise and be fluffy too much, but I also don’t think it would hurt to add some in! I’d say about a half a cup :-)
yumzen
Is peanut butter good for in diet?
Elizabeth Lindemann
That’s a great question, but since I’m not a nutritionist, I’m not really qualified to answer. Peanut butter is high in protein and super filling, so it’s great for sustained energy. But it’s also high in calories and fat. It really depends on what your personal diet goals are, and that’s a decision you’re going to have to make for yourself or with a nutrition professional :-) PERSONALLY, I consider foods to be healthy if they are packed with nutrients, such as peanut butter, and I don’t really pay attention to calories or fat as long as I’m consuming a host of other good stuff. Hope that helps! :-)
Erin
Hi what is your suggestion to supplement the oats for a gluten free version? Thanks!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hi! You can still use oats- just make sure to buy certified gluten free oats. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but are often processed in facilities that also process grains with gluten, like wheat, barley, and rye, so they can be contaminated. If you’re sensitive to small amounts of gluten, just get gluten-free oats and you should be fine :-)
Jesse Strickland Jr
I added rice crispies and freeze dried berries
Elizabeth Lindemann
Oh wow, I LOVE both of those ideas! I can’t wait to try that next time I make them!
Krystyna
I tried to recipe nearly four years ago and LOVED IT! I was eating then way beyond healthy snack ?. I just had my seventh little one and after two months now, b it’s time for momma to get her body back. So glad that my “spider senses” and “healthy” sweet tooth found your article again!!!
Keep doing what you’re doing!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Oh my goodness, seven kids! So glad that this recipe has been helpful for you!! :-)
Donna
Are they supposed to come out dense/chewy?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Yes, they are! Since they don’t have any flour or baking soda/powder, they don’t rise and become fluffy. They’re packed with nutrients, and they’re supposed to be a little dense. One of the things that makes them super filling!
Heather
I don’t have a mixer could I warm up the ingredients and then mix?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Absolutely! The peanut butter and honey would be easier to stir if they were warmed up a bit and softened. I’d just mash the banana in a large bowl, add the PB and honey, then zap in the microwave for 30 seconds or so. You should be good to go from there!
Rebecca
I’m loving the look of this recipe!! I’m a wannabe runner and would love these to snack on, however I’m in the UK and use grams or ounces as measurement, any idea how cups converts please?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Thanks for asking this question! I just enabled a unit conversion feature for this recipe- if you go to it, under the ingredients, there should be a link for metric. The recipe software I use did it automatically for me, so I can’t guarantee it’s 100% accurate, but it should be a good starting place and it’s hard to mess up this recipe anyway! Hope that helps, and hope you like them :-)
Phoenicia Schwing
These keep me full for so long and are so yummy!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you like them!
Mel
These taste great!! I made mine with pecans, sunflower seeds and coconut flakes. Also added a scoop of chocolate protein powder.
Do you know how well they hold up in the freezer? Would you just leave them at room temp to defrost?
Elizabeth Lindemann
They freeze great! Yes you can just leave them out to defrost or you can pop them in the microwave for like 20 seconds or so. Glad you liked them!
Maria Warner
Thank you so much for this delicious recipe! I added flaxseed to mine. I am anxiously waiting to try a bar, but the batter was great! Thanks again, this will be a lifesaver.
Elizabeth Lindemann
Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one who loves this batter! :-)
Brenda
The bars had great flavor. I added chocolate chips to half of the pan (I am a chocoholic).
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked them! I bet that chocolate and peanut butter combo was amazing.
Doug
I love these bars! Filling, healthy, great for a busy day. Is there any way to make them a little fluffier/lighter? It felt like I spent a lot of time chewing them. Maybe Greek yogurt? Would love to hear your thoughts.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you like them! These definitely are dense bars- I like to remind myself of the calories I’m burning when I’m chewing them haha :-) Hm. I might try adding an extra banana, which will help keep the bars more moist, and yes, I think Greek yogurt would be a good addition for the same reason! The other thing you might want to try is using oat flour instead of rolled oats and maybe adding a little baking soda to encourage it to rise a little. I haven’t tried any of these things, and I’m admittedly a much better cook than I am a baker, but these ideas may be a good place to start!
Stephanie
Ever since I moved to Colorado I gave up baking. I’m wondering if you know if I would have to adapt these at all for altitude (5500-6000 feet). I don’t understand the science behind that at all. Maybe if there s no flour I wouldn’t?
Elizabeth Lindemann
I admittedly don’t know much about baking at high altitudes, but I don’t think these would be affected. They’re really not finicky at all- SO easy to make. They may take a little longer to cook, but other than that, I say go for it!!
Allison
SO good! I used maple syrup instead of honey, and added 1/4 cup of chia seeds to the mashed banana (to soak a little) then added the honey and peanut butter. I also only cooked mine for 25 mins.
Elizabeth
Thanks! So happy you liked them! Love the idea of adding chia seeds.
Wendy S Pederson
Hi! These look great. I am trying to up my protein intake, especially at breakfast as it keeps me fuller longer and I tend to graze less and eat less junk in general. Do you think there is any way to add whey protein powder to this to get an extra boost of protein?
Thank you!
Elizabeth
Hi! The nuts and peanut butter already pack a good amount of protein in, but if you want to add more, I don’t see why it wouldn’t work! The whey may make them a little dryer. I recommend adding a little more banana or peanut butter, or even some coconut or olive oil in there, to help keep them moist, or omitting some of the oats, if you decide to add some whey protein. Hope that helps!