Ingredients:

  • 3 medium overripe bananas (approx. 300g)
  • 1 cup creamy natural peanut butter (250g)
  • 2.5 cups old fashioned rolled oats (225g)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (42g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds (24g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.25 cup dark chocolate chips (40g)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your 9x9 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides.
  2. Mash bananas. In your large bowl, smash the 3 medium bananas with a fork until mostly smooth with a few small lumps. Note: These lumps provide bursts of flavor.
  3. Create the wet base. Whisk in the 1 cup peanut butter, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 0.5 teaspoon salt until the mixture looks glossy and smooth.
  4. Season the mix. Stir in the 1 teaspoon cinnamon and 2 tablespoons chia seeds.
  5. Fold in oats. Add the 2.5 cups rolled oats. Use a spatula to fold them in until every single oat is coated in the wet mixture. Note: Dry oats will cause the bars to fall apart.
  6. Add chocolate. Fold in the 0.25 cup dark chocolate chips.
  7. Press into pan. Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. Press it down firmly with the back of your spatula until the surface is even and the corners are filled.
  8. Bake the bars. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the center feels firm to the touch.
  9. Cool completely. This is the hardest part. Let the bars cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before lifting them out.
  10. Slice and serve. Use a sharp knife to cut into 12 even bars. The bars will set further as they cool, becoming easier to handle.