Hearty Banana Oatmeal Bars with Applesauce
These chewy and wholesome Hearty Banana Oatmeal Bars are perfect for breakfast or as a healthy snack. Infused with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and applesauce, these bars are packed with oats and flavor. Great for busy mornings, these bars can be made ahead of time and enjoyed on-the-go. Kids and adults alike will love the soft texture complemented by a hint of cinnamon. You can also customize these bars by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits for an extra twist!
4-6
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
All-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (Measured)
Baking soda
1 teaspoon (Measured)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (Measured)
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon (Measured)
Butter
3/4 cup (Melted and cooled)
Brown sugar
1 cup (Measured)
Granulated sugar
1/2 cup (Measured)
Applesauce
3/4 cup (Measured)
Eggs
2 (Beaten)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (Measured)
Old-fashioned oats
3 cups (Measured)
Bananas
2-3 (Smashed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted and cooled butter with the brown sugar and granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat them together until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
4
Add in the applesauce, eggs, and vanilla extract to the sugar mixture. Beat with the mixer until fully combined and smooth.
5
Incorporate the smashed bananas into the mixture, mashing them further if desired. This can be done with a hand mixer or by hand for a chunkier texture.
6
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
7
Fold in the old-fashioned oats until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
8
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
10
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
11
Cut into bars and enjoy your delicious and nutritious treat!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Hearty Banana Oatmeal Bars?
Hearty Banana Oatmeal Bars are chewy and wholesome treats made with ripe bananas, oats, and applesauce, perfect for breakfast or snacks.
What size pan should I use for this recipe?
You should use a 9x13-inch baking pan greased with cooking spray.
At what temperature should the oven be set?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How many bananas are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 to 3 smashed bananas.
What type of oats are recommended?
Old-fashioned oats are recommended for the best texture.
How long do the bars need to bake?
Bake the bars for 20 to 30 minutes until the top is golden brown.
How do I check if the bars are done?
Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the bars are done.
Can I add other ingredients like nuts?
Yes, you can customize these bars by adding your favorite nuts or dried fruits.
Is this recipe suitable for kids?
Yes, these bars are kid-friendly and great for busy mornings on-the-go.
Do I need to melt the butter?
Yes, the recipe requires 3/4 cup of butter that has been melted and cooled.
What role does applesauce play in this recipe?
Applesauce adds natural sweetness and moisture to the bars.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What spices are used in these bars?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of cinnamon for flavor.
How should I prepare the flour mixture?
Whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
Is it okay to overmix the batter?
No, you should mix just until the dry ingredients are combined with the wet ingredients to avoid overmixing.
How should the bananas be prepared?
The bananas should be smashed before being incorporated into the mixture.
Can I use a hand mixer for this recipe?
Yes, an electric mixer is used for the butter and sugars, and a hand mixer can be used for the bananas.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian.
What sugars are used?
The recipe uses a combination of 1 cup of brown sugar and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
How should I cool the bars?
Allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Does the recipe require vanilla?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract is added for flavor.
How many eggs are needed?
The recipe requires 2 beaten eggs.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes, these bars are great for making ahead of time and enjoying throughout the week.
What is the texture of these bars?
They have a soft and chewy texture with a hint of cinnamon.
What kind of flour is used?
The recipe calls for 1.5 cups of all-purpose flour.
Should I grease the baking pan?
Yes, grease the 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Can I get a chunkier texture?
Yes, you can mash the bananas by hand if you prefer a chunkier texture in the bars.
How do I incorporate the oats?
Fold the old-fashioned oats into the batter until they are evenly distributed.
Is this an easy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe suitable for home cooks.
How do I serve the bars?
Once cooled, cut them into bars and enjoy as a nutritious treat.