Healthy Chocolate Banana Oat Bars
When the weather can’t make up its mind — snow days one week, rainy afternoons the next, and little bursts of sunshine in between — baking with my kids becomes our favorite cozy-day activity.
This time of year, we are baking a lot. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
There’s something so comforting about turning on the oven, pulling out simple whole-food ingredients, and creating something nourishing together. While I promise some savory recipes are coming soon, today I’m sharing one of our absolute favorites: healthy chocolate oat bars made with wholesome ingredients that fuel growing bodies.
These bars strike the perfect balance. They’re sweet enough to feel like a real treat, but made with ingredients you can feel confident serving your kids.
Why Parents Love These Chocolate Oat Bars
If you’re looking for:
Healthy baked goods for kids
Kid-friendly whole food snacks
Better-for-you lunchbox treats
Healthy breakfast bars for picky eaters
These bars check every box.
They’re packed with:
Healthy fats for brain development
Fiber-rich oats to support digestion
Protein to keep little bellies full
Natural sweetness without the sugar crash
As parents, we’re constantly walking the line between fun and nourishing. These bars make that balance easy.
Perfect for Breakfast, Snacks, or School Lunches
One of the reasons I love this recipe so much is how versatile it is.
Slightly warmed? Absolutely delicious.
Room temperature in a school lunchbox? Still perfect.
Served for breakfast? Even better.
I personally love pairing one with a dollop of Greek yogurt for added protein and probiotics. It turns a simple oat bar into a complete, balanced breakfast that keeps kids satisfied all morning.
And let’s be honest — they’re not just for the kids. I reach for these just as often.
Beyond the nutrition, baking together gives us so much joy.
On those gray, dreary days when everyone feels a little stir-crazy, pulling out mixing bowls and measuring cups turns the day around. My kids feel involved, capable, and proud of what they’ve made — and I feel good knowing we’re filling our home (and their bellies) with real, nourishing food.
I hope these chocolate oat bars become a cozy-day staple in your home too.
Enjoy 💛
Chocolate Banana Oat Bars
PREP TIME: 15 minutes COOK TIME: 30 minutes SERVES: 16 bars
1 cup milk (whole organic milk is what we used but I’m sure a diary free milk would be fine too)
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1 cup organic oats (I love the One Degree brand as they’re sprouted which is great for digestion!)
1 cup oat flour (I just blend my oats in a blender to make this)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 Tablespoons Cocoa powder
1 teaspoon chaga mushroom powder (optional)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon unrefined salt
3 Tablespoons nut butter (peanut or almond or sunflower butter all work)
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease an 8X8 baking dish with a little ghee or oil.
In a medium-size bowl, combine all the ingredients except the nut butter and mix well. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Dollop the nut butter around a few different spots on the batter and use a knife to swirl it around.
Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the pan. Let cool for about 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
NOTES— These bars keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Pull them out and let them come to room temperature before enjoying or re-heat them in a 250 degree oven for 20 minutes.
