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 reflects one serving of the recipe (total servings indicated at top of recipe card). It 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:
tom vadon
Grandson loved them, said it’s the best thing he ever tasted. His mom only gives him healthy food and she oked this recipe 👍
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad your grandson liked them!
Michelle
These are really great and easy. I added two scoops of protein powder to give them an additional boost. My teenagers approve them too. I have a batch in the oven now with cranberries, pecans, and white baking chips, just to change up the flavors.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
annmarie pfeiffer
Amazing!! Everyone wants this recipe after they try them!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked them!
Christine
So good! Made these for a pre-workout snack. Super delicious and satisfying. I also love that the recipe is super versatile. The only problem is that people at my office keep asking me to share hahaha
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked them! Lol sounds like maybe you just need to make a double batch next time and hide one for yourself at your office :-)
Vickie
Thank you for sharing this recipe. These are so easy and absolutely wonderful. Perfect as a quick nutritious breakie or post work out snack. I’ve shared a few with friends and they have called them “bliss”. I like to add coconut, raisins, sunflower seeds and pumkin seeds in addition to the almonds. 👍🙂
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it! Love all those suggestions for additions!
Rebecca
I don’t usually comment on recipes but baking this has been revolutionary for me.
Used a mix of pumpkin seeds sesame seeds and jumbo peanuts otherwise followed the recipe exactly. It tastes good, and feels really nourishing to eat- the body seems to know that a portion is enough too. Such a change from the granola bars I usually buy which are marketed as healthy but fuel the sugar cravings rollercoaster.
Can’t wait to try other recipes from here.
Many thanks
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it! Really appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and comment :-)
Kelly
Have made this recipe on a regular basis. Very happy to have found it. Could you please expand on the 1 bar serving size…how many ounces? I can never cut the bars into regular sizes!
Elizabeth Lindemann
I’m not sure of the ounces of each bar. The nutrition information is my best estimate for if the batch is cut into 12 bars. It’s almost impossible to be super precise with nutrition info, since bananas are different sizes, almonds may be measured differently depending on how big their sliced, etc. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly. Hope that helps, and so glad you like the recipe!
Kookieandkake
These are delicious! I used flaxseeds and chopped-up peanuts for the nuts, and it worked out great.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked them!
Sharon Mann
Delicious
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Melissa
I love these! I make them all the time. I usually double the batch and stash them in the freezer for anytime I need one. These are the only protein bars I love and trust compared to ones you find in the store. I like to add some chocolate chips to the recipe for extra flavor.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it! Chocolate chips will be a delicious addition.
Zina
Can I make it without honey? I’m doing a Daniel fast and can’t use any kind of sweetener natural or otherwise
Elizabeth Lindemann
Sure! I think you could add another banana if you like, or some raisins or other dried fruit, if you want to add some sweet flavor to it without the honey.
Michelle
Yes you can. I am also doing the Daniel fast. I used raisins instead to sweeten it up.
Krysia
Delicious! Easy to make and good for you too. What more could you want in a recipe! :)
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
sally
these were delicious!! I halved the recipe and everything still came out fine. I also wanted a texture more similar to the banana peanut butter dark chocolate clif bar, so i added about 1/3 cup rice krispy cereal. Instead of sliced almonds i just chopped some whole ones because it was all i had, also added dark choc. chips and these make a great diy clif bar!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Love the idea of adding rice krispies and chocolate chips! Thanks for the suggestion, and so glad you liked it!
Tracey Christian
Hi! Thank you for this recipe! I am planning on making these as a go to for our 18 day camping trip which starts this Friday! They look amazing!!! I was gonna add frozen cranberries to them. I was wondering have you ever added goji berry, flaxseed or chia seed powder? You said the texture is a bit denser than banana bread. I was wondering what you would add to make it a bit crunchier, less like bread-like?
Thanks!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
I’ve never tried adding any of those things but I don’t think you can go wrong! I think these will always be a bit fluffy/bread like and not crunchy because of the banana. Here’s a homemade granola bars recipe that might be more up your alley! https://makeitdairyfree.com/homemade-vegan-granola-bars/
Tracey Cyrene Christian
This recipe was AMAZING! I did add frozen cranberries, flaxseed and chia seed powder. We hiked everyday on our 18 day camping trip, and these kept us going! I kept them in the RV freezer and took out each day so they were fresh. Thanks for the recipe!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad to hear that!!
Melissa
Sometimes i add chia seeds to it and it turns out fine!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Great to know, thanks!
Karen Thorstenson
Any other fruit that I can add in addition to the bananas? I like to double-up on fruit and flavors. Thanks!
Elizabeth Lindemann
How about throwing in some dried fruit? Dates, raisins, apricots… those would work great! Fresh fruit may be a bit watery and affect the texture of the bars/make them soggy, but I’m thinking blueberries may work. Hope that helps!
Jess Hudson
So tasty!! My toddler and I loved these. I did a mix of peanut butter and almond butter, honey, and maple syrup, and pumpkin pie spice, hemp seeds, chia seeds, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut. I left out the nuts because I didn’t have any.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Mary B.
I just made these. Very fast and easy and a great way to get rid of your old bananas!
Delicious and nutritious!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Lindsey
These are wonderful! I’m trying to eat breakfast more often, but convenience is often my stumbling block. These fit the bill for what I’m looking for – thank you!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you like them!
Rato
Can I add raisins?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Sure! If you want them to be really soft, you can soak them in warm water for 10ish minutes then drain them as much as possible before adding them to the batter.
Rato
Came out delicious. Hubby loved them too and hes not even vegan!!!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you and your husband liked them!
Agul
Looks great. I’ll give these a try later this week.
Any thoughts on how long they will stay fresh in an airtight plastic container?
Elizabeth Lindemann
I’d say probably 3-4 days but you can always freeze them to prolong their freshness!
Rebecca
Can I use granola instead of oats?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Yes I think that would work well!