Soft, hearty, naturally sweetened breakfast bars packed with oats, banana, and protein. Great for meal prep, post-workout breakfasts, or quick snacks.

Servings

9 squares

Prep & Cook Time

• Prep: 15 minutes
• Bake: 25–30 minutes
• Total: 40–45 minutes

Ingredients

Base Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• ⅓ cup milk
• 2–3 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Pinch salt

Protein Component

Choose one:

• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• OR ½ cup almond flour
• OR ½ cup powdered peanut butter

Optional Add-Ins

• ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
• ¼ cup chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup blueberries
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp flaxseed
• Unsweetened coconut flakes

Nut Information

Almond Flour

Almond flour

• Made from finely ground almonds
• Adds protein, healthy fats, and moisture
• Naturally gluten-free
• Mild sweet nutty flavor

Allergy Note

Contains tree nuts.

Walnuts

Walnut
Benefits:

• Omega-3 fats
• Crunchy texture
• Rich earthy flavor

Can substitute with:

• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds
• Hemp hearts

Peanut Powder

Peanut butter powder

• Higher protein
• Lower fat than regular peanut butter
• Strong peanut flavor

Allergy Note

Peanuts are legumes but commonly grouped with nut allergens.

Equipment

• 8×8 inch baking dish
• Mixing bowls
• Fork or potato masher
• Spatula
• Parchment paper

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep Oven

Preheat oven to:
180°C (350°F)

Line baking dish with parchment paper.

2. Mash Bananas

In a large bowl:

• Mash bananas until mostly smooth.

Small lumps are fine.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients

Add:

• Eggs
• Greek yogurt
• Milk
• Honey/maple syrup
• Vanilla

Whisk until combined.

4. Add Dry Ingredients

Mix in:

• Oats
• Protein powder or almond flour
• Cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Salt

Fold until evenly combined.

5. Add Extras

Fold in optional ingredients like:

• Chocolate chips
• Walnuts
• Blueberries
• Seeds

6. Bake

Spread mixture evenly into pan.

Bake:

• 25–30 minutes

Top should look:

• Golden
• Slightly firm
• Set in center

7. Cool & Slice

Cool at least 15 minutes before slicing.

Cut into:

• 9 large squares
• or 12 snack bars

Texture

These squares are:

• Soft
• Chewy
• Moist
• Slightly cake-like

For firmer bars:

• Bake 5 extra minutes.

Protein Boost Options

Higher Protein Version

Add:

• Extra scoop protein powder
• Cottage cheese
• Hemp seeds

Approximate Protein

Per square:

• 10–16 g protein
  (depending on protein powder used)

Variations

Chocolate Banana

Add:

• Cocoa powder
• Chocolate protein powder
• Dark chocolate chunks

Berry Version

Add:

• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Lemon zest

Peanut Butter Banana

Add:

• Swirls of peanut butter
• Crushed peanuts
• Cinnamon

Tropical Version

Add:

• Coconut
• Pineapple bits
• Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nut

Storage

Refrigerator

Store airtight:

• Up to 5 days

Freezer

Freeze individually wrapped:

• Up to 2 months

Reheat:

• Microwave 20–30 seconds

Nutrition Estimate (Per Square)

Approximate:

• Calories: 180–240
• Protein: 10–16 g
• Carbs: 20–28 g
• Fat: 5–10 g

Depends on mix-ins and protein source.

Q&A

Q1: Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes.

Use certified gluten-free oats.

Q2: Can I make them dairy-free?

Yes.

Replace:

• Greek yogurt → coconut yogurt
• Milk → almond/oat milk

Q3: Can I use steel-cut oats?

Not recommended.

Rolled oats work best for texture.

Q4: Why are my bars dry?

Possible reasons:

• Too much protein powder
• Overbaking
• Bananas not ripe enough

Fix:
Add extra yogurt or milk.

Q5: Can kids eat these?

Absolutely.

They’re great for:

• School snacks
• Breakfast
• Sports fuel

Reduce protein powder if preferred.

Q6: Can I blend the batter?

Yes.

Blending gives a smoother baked oatmeal texture similar to cake.

Q7: Are these good for meal prep?

Excellent for meal prep.

Make:

• Sunday batch
• Refrigerate
• Grab-and-go all week

Serving Ideas

Serve with:

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh berries
• Nut butter drizzle
• Coffee or chai
• Warm milk

Enjoy warm or chilled.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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