These gluten-free Cacao-Peanut Oatmeal Breakfast Bars With Banana are made in one bowl and perfect for busy mornings!
These bars happened because I had way too many sad, spotty bananas sitting on my counter and absolutely zero motivation to make another smoothie or loaf of banana bread (even though I love banana bread). I wanted something I could just grab in the morning without thinking too hard, and these little cacao-peanut-oatmeal breakfast bars have fully stepped up as my current breakfast obsession. They’re chewy, chocolaty, slightly nutty, and sweet in that banana-bread-but-make-it-a-superfood way.
Everything comes together in one bowl, which is key because I hate starting my day by washing dishes. And the texture is soft and dense and has just enough crunch from those cacao nibs. I swear the nibs make it feel like there’s a hidden chocolate chip situation, but with way more street cred. Plus, powdered peanut butter on top just feels fun. I don’t know why. It just does. I’ve made these three times in one week, and I’m still not over them. I don’t think you will be either.
Are Cacao-Peanut-Oatmeal Breakfast Bars With Banana Healthy?
These bars certainly have plenty of healthy qualities that make them a worthwhile breakfast. Bananas are rich in potassium, the peanut butter gives you a little dose of protein and healthy fats, and oatmeal and oat flour are high in fiber. It’s a winning combo of ingredients that will keep you full and fueled all morning long.
These bars are gluten-free (as long as your oats are certified GF!), dairy-free, and plant-based. Plus, they’re free of processed junk. Yes, there is some coconut sugar in the recipe, but it’s an all-natural sweetener with a lower glycemic index than refined white sugar.
Cacao Nibs Deserve More Love
People are always talking about how dark chocolate is “better” for you than milk chocolate. Well, cacao nibs even have dark chocolate beat.
Made from roasted pieces of cacao beans, cacao nibs contain fiber, iron, magnesium, and other antioxidants, all without the sugar or additives. They have a rich, deep, slightly bitter flavor that makes these bars taste fancier than they really are. And I love that.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Keep your leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to around 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop a square in the microwave for 20 seconds or let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your bars for breakfast alongside an Iced Latte or warm Chai Latte. And when you’ve polished off the last of them, try making a different variation on a breakfast bar. These Vegan Granola Bars and Energy Quinoa Breakfast Bars are some of my favorites!
Recipe
Ingredients
For The Bars:
- Coconut oil for greasing the pan
- 1 1/2 cups very ripe banana mashed
- 1/3 cup coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup rolled old-fashioned oatmeal
- 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1/2 cup oat flour
- 1/4 cup powdered cacao
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cacao nibs divided
For The Topping:
- 3 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons water or until desired consistency is reached
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and rub an 8×8-inch pan with coconut oil.
- In a large bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat together the mashed banana, coconut sugar, and apple cider vinegar.
- Add in all the remaining bar ingredients, except the cocoa nibs, and stir until a thick batter forms. Then, stir in 3 tablespoons of the cacao nibs, reserving the rest for later.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and sprinkle with the remaining cacao nibs
- Bake until lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
- Let them cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, cut into squares. Mix the powdered peanut butter with the water and drizzle over the bars.
- Enjoy!
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