Peanut Butter Banana Bars - Platefully Joy

# What You'll Need:

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed

02 - 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

03 - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

04 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

05 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

06 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

07 - 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

08 - 1/4 tsp salt

09 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

01 - Line an 8x8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

02 - In a large bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.

03 - Add peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.

04 - Add oats, salt, cinnamon, and optional nuts or chocolate chips. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.

05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly using the back of a spoon or spatula.

06 - Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm enough to cut.

07 - Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang. Slice into 12 bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

01 -

They taste like a dessert but actually fuel your body with real ingredients—no guilt required.
Zero baking means zero kitchen stress and perfectly chewy bars every single time.
They stay fresh all week and travel brilliantly, so you'll actually eat them instead of letting them go stale.

02 -

Don't skip the parchment paper overhang—it's the difference between a clean extraction and a frustrated scraping situation.
Ripe bananas are non-negotiable; unripe ones make the bars taste bland and starchy.
These need proper chill time or they'll be too soft to cut cleanly—rushing this step is the only way to end up with crumbly disappointment.

03 -

Use the parchment overhang as your extraction tool—it eliminates the stress of getting the whole slab out intact.
A slightly damp knife makes slicing cleaner; dip it in hot water and wipe between cuts for precision every time.