Simple 4-Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bar Recipe

Soft, chewy, and irresistibly delicious, these four-ingredient peanut butter banana bars deliver a quick and wholesome treat that’ll satisfy your sweet tooth.

Packed with natural goodness, this simple recipe combines ripe bananas and creamy peanut butter into a delectable snack that feels like an indulgent dessert.

No complicated steps or fancy equipment needed – just blend, mix, and bake.

The minimal ingredient list makes these bars perfect for busy days when you want something sweet yet nutritious.

Protein-rich and naturally sweetened, these bars offer a perfect balance of flavor and health.

Grab an apron and get ready to transform those overripe bananas into a mouthwatering treat that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 13

4 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bars Ingredient List

• Super Ripe Bananas: Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and helps bind ingredients together, with darker spots indicating peak ripeness and best flavor.
• Smooth Natural Peanut Butter: Adds creamy texture, rich nutty flavor, and helps hold the bars together while providing healthy protein.

• Vanilla Extract: Boosts overall flavor complexity with warm, aromatic notes that complement banana and peanut butter.
• Instant Oats: Creates hearty, chewy texture and adds nutritional value with whole grain goodness.

• Baking Powder: Helps bars rise slightly and creates a lighter, softer texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all other flavor profiles.
• Chocolate Chips: Introduces delightful bursts of rich chocolate that contrast beautifully with banana and peanut butter base.

Tools to Make Peanut Butter Banana Bars Quickly

• Large Bowl: Perfect for mixing all ingredients smoothly and combining banana, peanut butter, and other components.
• Measuring Cups: Essential for accurately measuring oats and chocolate chips.
• Loaf Pan: Key for baking and shaping your bars perfectly.
• Spatula or Spoon: Ideal for mixing ingredients and leveling batter in the pan.
• Knife: Used for checking doneness and later cutting bars into serving pieces.
• Mashing Tool: Great for breaking down bananas into a smooth consistency.

Instructions for Peanut Butter Banana Bars

• Banana Bliss Preparation

Gather your baking excitement and warm up the kitchen with a toasty oven set to 350°F. Grab a loaf pan and give it a quick spray or parchment paper hug.

• Banana Mashing Magic

Smash those ripe bananas into a creamy dream, then welcome peanut butter and vanilla for a flavor party. Stir everything until it’s smooth and happy.

• Oat and Spice Adventure

Sprinkle in oats, a pinch of salt, and baking powder. Mix gently until your batter looks perfectly combined and inviting.

• Chocolate Chip Celebration

Fold most of the chocolate chips into the mixture, saving a few for a delicious topping. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly.

• Topping Finale

Dot the remaining chocolate chips across the surface like little flavor gems.

• Baking Transformation

Slide the pan into the oven and let the magic happen for about 25-30 minutes. When a knife comes out clean, your bars are ready to rock.

• Cool and Slice

Let the bars chill completely in the pan, then slice into 6-8 pieces of pure deliciousness.

Tips for Better Peanut Butter Banana Bar Texture

• Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the warm, cozy flavor profile of these bars and bring out the natural sweetness of bananas.
• Swap regular peanut butter for natural or protein-packed peanut butter to increase the nutritional value and make these bars more filling.
• Replace half the oats with ground flaxseed or chia seeds for an extra nutrients boost and slightly different texture that adds subtle crunch.
• Use dairy-free chocolate chips to make this recipe completely vegan-friendly, perfect for those with dietary restrictions or plant-based eating preferences.
• Mix in chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans before baking to create additional texture and introduce a delightful crunch that complements the soft banana base.

Serving Peanut Butter Banana Bars on the Go

• Breakfast Buddy Boost: Start your morning with these bars alongside a creamy Greek yogurt or a warm cup of coffee, creating a delightful protein-packed breakfast that keeps you energized.
• Afternoon Energy Kick: Pack these bars as a quick mid-day snack in your lunchbox or work bag, offering a natural sweet treat that provides sustained energy without processed sugars.
• Dessert Delight Twist: Serve these bars slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of honey for a comforting after-dinner treat that satisfies sweet cravings while staying relatively healthy.
• Kid-Friendly Snack Option: Cut the bars into fun shapes or smaller bite-sized pieces for children, making them an appealing and nutritious snack that kids will love and parents will appreciate.

Storage Guide for Peanut Butter Banana Bars

• Quick Cool-Down Strategy: Let bars rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes after baking to stabilize their texture and prevent crumbling when slicing.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Transfer cooled bars to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and maintaining their delicious soft consistency.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe bag. These treats will stay delicious for 2-3 months when frozen, perfect for grab-and-go snacks.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire batch ahead of time and store in the refrigerator overnight. The flavors will blend beautifully, creating an even more delectable morning or afternoon treat.

Decadent Peanut Butter Banana Bars Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delightful 4 ingredient peanut butter banana bars combine creamy peanut butter with ripe bananas for a quick, wholesome treat. Minimal effort delivers maximum flavor, satisfying sweet cravings with simple, nutritious ingredients you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

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• 3 super ripe bananas
• ¼ cup (60 ml) smooth natural peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¼ cups (150 g) instant or quick-cooking oats
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
2. Banana Base: Thoroughly mash ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl until achieving a smooth, creamy texture, then blend in peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully integrated.
3. Dry Ingredient Incorporation: Gently fold rolled oats, kosher salt, and baking powder into the banana mixture, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients throughout the batter.
4. Chocolate Enhancement: Fold two-thirds of chocolate chips into the batter, reserving the remaining chips for final topping.
5. Pan and Bake: Transfer batter to prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface with a silicone spatula, then sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top for a decorative finish.
6. Baking and Cooling: Bake for 25-30 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, then allow bars to rest in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling.
7. Serving: Once fully cooled, slice into 6-8 uniform bars ready for enjoyment.

Notes

• Ripe Banana Selection: Choose bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and easier mashing, which enhances the bar’s natural flavor and moisture.
• Peanut Butter Consistency: Use smooth, room temperature peanut butter to ensure seamless mixing and prevent lumpy texture in the batter.
• Precise Baking Time: Watch closely during the 25-30 minute baking window; ovens vary, so check doneness with a toothpick test to avoid dry or undercooked bars.
• Storage Strategy: Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain freshness and texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg