Healthy Oat Flour Banana Bread Bars – Soft, Wholesome, and Easy

These banana bread bars are the kind of snack that disappears fast. They’re soft, gently sweet, and taste like a cozy slice of banana bread—just baked into portable bars. Oat flour keeps them tender while adding whole-grain goodness.

They’re easy to make, easy to customize, and perfect for breakfast, snack time, or a quick dessert. If you’ve got spotty bananas on the counter, you’re halfway there.

Print Recipe

Healthy Oat Flour Banana Bread Bars - Soft, Wholesome, and Easy

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time25 minutes mins

Total Time35 minutes mins

Servings: 9 servings

Ingredients

• 3 medium very ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed)
• 2 cups oat flour (store-bought or ground from rolled oats)
• 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for a vegan option)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or olive oil or melted butter)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (adds moisture)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but lovely)
• 1/3–1/2 cup add-ins (dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or blueberries; optional)

Instructions

• Prep the pan. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).Line an 8x8-inch or 9x9-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.
• Make oat flour if needed. Blend rolled oats in a blender until fine. Measure after blending to ensure 2 cups.
• Mash the bananas. In a large bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
• Whisk in wet ingredients. Add eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.
• Add dry ingredients. Sprinkle oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon over the wet mixture.Stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Fold in extras. If using chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit, fold them in gently.
• Bake. Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 20–28 minutes, until the top is set and a tester comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• Cool and slice. Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then lift out and cool fully before slicing into bars.
• Serve. Enjoy plain, or with a smear of almond butter or a drizzle of warm honey.

What Makes This Special

These bars feel indulgent but are made with simple, nourishing ingredients. Using oat flour gives them a soft crumb without refined white flour.

They’re naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and a touch of maple syrup or honey. The batter comes together in one bowl, and the bars bake quickly. They’re also gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats.

What You’ll Need

• 3 medium very ripe bananas (about 1 1/4 cups mashed)
• 2 cups oat flour (store-bought or ground from rolled oats)
• 2 large eggs (or flax eggs for a vegan option)
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (or olive oil or melted butter)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (adds moisture)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional but lovely)
• 1/3–1/2 cup add-ins (dark chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or blueberries; optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the pan. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).

   Line an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch square pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting.

2. Make oat flour if needed. Blend rolled oats in a blender until fine. Measure after blending to ensure 2 cups.
3. Mash the bananas. In a large bowl, mash bananas until mostly smooth with a few small lumps.
4. Whisk in wet ingredients. Add eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, applesauce, and vanilla. Whisk until well combined.
5. Add dry ingredients. Sprinkle oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon over the wet mixture.

   Stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.

6. Fold in extras. If using chocolate chips, nuts, or fruit, fold them in gently.
7. Bake. Spread batter evenly in the pan. Bake for 20–28 minutes, until the top is set and a tester comes out with a few moist crumbs.
8. Cool and slice. Let cool in the pan for 10–15 minutes, then lift out and cool fully before slicing into bars.
9. Serve. Enjoy plain, or with a smear of almond butter or a drizzle of warm honey.

Keeping It Fresh

Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

For longer storage, freeze slices in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave for 15–20 seconds.

Health Benefits

• Whole grains: Oat flour provides fiber, which supports digestion and steady energy.
• Naturally sweetened: Ripe bananas and maple syrup keep added sugar modest.
• Heart-healthy fats: Coconut oil or olive oil adds satisfying fats without heaviness.
• Gluten-free friendly: Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
• Customizable nutrition: Add walnuts for omega-3s or chia seeds for extra fiber.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Underripe bananas: Green or pale bananas won’t mash well or sweeten the bars. Use spotty, soft bananas.
• Overbaking: Oat flour dries out faster than wheat flour.

  Pull the bars when the center is just set.

• Too much flour: Measure oat flour after blending and level the cup. Packed flour leads to dense bars.
• Hot oil + eggs: Let melted oil cool slightly so it doesn’t scramble the eggs.

Alternatives

• Egg-free: Use 2 flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flax + 5 tablespoons water, rested 10 minutes).
• Oil-free: Swap the oil for more applesauce; texture will be a bit softer.
• No maple syrup: Use honey or 1/4 cup brown sugar plus 1 tablespoon milk.
• Spice it up: Add nutmeg or cardamom, or swirl in peanut butter before baking.
• High-protein: Stir in 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder and reduce oat flour by 1/4 cup.
• Dairy add-ins: Fold in 1/3 cup Greek yogurt chips or dollop plain Greek yogurt on top post-bake.

FAQ

Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?

Yes. Use the same amount of all-purpose flour by volume.

The bars will be slightly lighter and may bake a minute or two faster.

Can I make these vegan?

Yes. Use flax eggs and maple syrup, and choose dairy-free chocolate if adding chips. Bake time may lean toward the longer end.

Do I need a mixer?

No.

A whisk and spatula are enough. Mash the bananas well and avoid overmixing once the flour goes in.

Why are my bars gummy?

They may be underbaked or the bananas were extra large. Bake a few more minutes, and next time measure mashed banana by volume.

How do I make my own oat flour?

Blend rolled oats in a high-speed blender until very fine.

Sift if you want an ultra-tender crumb. Measure after blending.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes. Bake in a 9×13-inch pan for 24–32 minutes.

Watch for set edges and a center that no longer looks wet.

Wrapping Up

Healthy Oat Flour Banana Bread Bars are simple, cozy, and great for real-life snacking. They use pantry staples, come together fast, and taste like a treat without being overly sweet. Keep a batch on hand for busy mornings, packable snacks, or a better-for-you dessert that still feels satisfying.