5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Bars

Whip up these simple 5 ingredient peanut butter banana oatmeal bars for a sweet treat or pre-workout snack with no added sugar!

Ingredients in peanut butter banana oatmeal bars

Ripe Bananas

This is the perfect quick recipe to use up some ripe bananas that you have sitting around. Make sure they are nice and spotty! Not only will they be easy to mash, but they will add some sweetness to this recipe since there is no added sugar.

Peanut Butter

For this recipe to truly contain no added sugar…you need to read your nutrition facts labels on your peanut butter! I opt for natural peanut butter because the runny consistency makes it easy to spread or mix into dishes. I like to see only peanuts and salt listed as ingredients – no added sugar or oils. My favorite natural peanut butters are Whole Foods, Crazy Richards, and Trader Joes! You could also use almond butter in place of the peanut butter if that’s what you have on hand.

Tip: after stirring your natural peanut butter…keep it in the fridge to keep it fresh and avoid separation!

Oatmeal

I use rolled oatmeal in this recipe, but I imagine that quick oats would work just as well.

Cinnamon

Technically optional…but I vote keeping it in.

Walnuts

Any chopped nut would work here. You could add in some chocolate chips in place of the walnuts if you’re okay with having a little bit of added sugar in there. Hint hint: I’ll probably do this next time! I don’t personally completely avoid added sugar. Most of my baked items contain juuuust enough for texture or sweetness because I do try to stay mindful of it! There are some chocolate brands out there that are made without added sugar (like some Hu Kitchen products), but it’s up to you if the price it worth it.

Looking for another way to use up those ripe bananas?

Try my banana bread baked oatmeal!