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soft and chewy banana bread granola bars

January 8, 2016 by Amanda @ .running with spoons. 64 Comments

So much better than store-bought! These soft and chewy banana bread granola bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! They’re gluten-free and vegan, with a higher protein option for those who want it.The perfect easy and healthy snack.

So much better than store-bought! These Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! | runningwithspoons.com #vegan #glutenfree #healthy #snack

One of the best things about having a food allergy is that it forces you to be more conscious of what you’re putting into your body [so that you can avoid dying and/or getting very sick].

Having been blessed born with a severe peanut allergy, I’ve pretty much been looking over ingredients labels since I learned how to read, and it’s a little scary when you realize how much crap goes into the food we eat.

I mean, you’ve gotta love it when you can’t even pronounce half of the things on a list that’s a mile long; and of the things you can pronounce, half say something like: artificial colours, artificial flavours, high fructose corn syrup, BHA, BHT, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, etc., etc., wtf.

Uhm. Yum? Those sound super tasty ?

So much better than store-bought! These Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! | runningwithspoons.com #vegan #glutenfree #healthy #snack

The other great thing about living with a food allergy (#gratitude), is that it forces you do a lot of cooking/baking at home.

Case in point: I can’t eat most store-bought granola bars. In fact, I don’t even think I ever had one as a kid because there wasn’t a tonne of allergy awareness back in those days, and from what I remember, every bar had peanuts, nuts, and/or traces of one or the other.

You don’t even KNOW the kind of happy dances I did when I learned that popular granola bar manufacturers would be coming out with a nut-free line… only to be completely underwhelmed when I finally tried them.

So what’s a Spoon to do when she wants a convenient and actually satisfying snack bar but can’t find one that won’t put her in a hospital?

She makes her own!

So much better than store-bought! These Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! | runningwithspoons.com #vegan #glutenfree #healthy #snack

… and they rock.her.socks.right off.

You guys know I love my soft and chewy protein granola bars (I’ve probably made 100+ batches at this point??), but I’m tempted to say that these banana bread granola bars might just give the original version a run for its money — for a few simple reasons:

I love bananas.
I love oats.
I love almond butter.
I love chocolate.

And I love that these bars COMBINE ALL FOUR in a soft and chewy portable morsel of deliciousness that tastes just like a slice of day old (i.e. the best kind!) banana bread and doesn’t leave you wanting more.

So much better than store-bought! These Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! | runningwithspoons.com #vegan #glutenfree #healthy #snack

Nutritious, filling, chocolatey, banana-y, sweet, and — have I mentioned — soft and chewy?!

But the best part issss –> no sketchy ingredients!! None! No chemicals, no preservatives, no artificial this or that. Heck, no refined sugars at all, depending on what kind of chocolate chips you use.

Nothing but wholesome, natural ingredients in these convenient and actually satisfying bars.

Happy eating!

So much better than store-bought! These Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! | runningwithspoons.com #vegan #glutenfree #healthy #snack

I’d love to know if you make this recipe! Leave a comment and rating down below to let me know what you think, andΒ subscribeΒ toΒ our mailing list to receive new recipes in your inbox!

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Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 2 reviews

  • Author: Amanda @ Running with Spoons
  • Total Time: 30 mins
  • Yield: 10–12 bars 1x
Print Recipe
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Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (160 g) regular or quick oats
  • 2 Tbsp (14 g) ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (150 g or 3/4 cup)
  • ΒΌ cup (64 g) almond butter (or any nut/seed butter)
  • 1/4 cup (80 g) brown rice syrup (or honey, if not vegan)
  • 2 Tbsp (30 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) mini dairy-free chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350F (176C) and prepare an 8×8 (20cm x 20cm) baking pan by lining it with a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper, leaving a few inches of overhang on the sides to allow for easy removal. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flax, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the mashed banana, nut butter, sweetener, and vanilla, mixing until the ingredients are fully combined and the mixture is smooth. Pour the wet mix into the dry mix and stir until everything is fully incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  4. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan, and use a greased spatula or your hands to spread the mixture evenly throughout the pan.
  5. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the top sets and the edges begin to turn golden brown.
  6. Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for ~15 minutes before using a sharp knife to cut them into individual bars. Store them in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

* To make these PROTEIN granola bars, add 1/2 cup of your favourite protein powder to the dry mix, and an extra 1/4 cup of almond milk to the wet mix.

  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 20 mins

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and hashtag it #runningwithspoons

So much better than store-bought! These Soft and Chewy Banana Bread Granola Bars are made without any refined sugars or oils, and LOADED with chocolate and banana flavour! | runningwithspoons.com #vegan #glutenfree #healthy #snack

Looking for more healthy granola bar recipes? Try one of these!

Soft and Chewy Protein Granola Bars
Strawberry Banana Oat Bars
Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Granola Bars
Blueberry Almond Oat Bars
Honey Almond Granola Bars

Signature

Filed Under: Bars & Brownies, Gluten Free, Recipe, Vegan Tagged With: allergies, banana bread, chocolate chip, gluten-free, granola bars, healthy, recipe, snack, snack bars, soft and chewy, vegan

Previous Post: « diet rants, a grocery store freakout, and something a little more serious (ToL #164)
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. K

    April 4, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    These were excellent!!! I added protein powder and extra milk as you suggested. Thank you for posting this recipe! πŸ™‚

    Reply
  2. Antonella

    March 13, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    I’m about to try this. Can I use wowbutter instead of almond butter ?

    Reply
  3. Sheryl P.

    April 28, 2021 at 1:44 pm

    I just made these and even without the chocolate chips they were delicious. Definitely will be making them again this time with chocolate. The only thing I added was a tablespoon of egg white and I only had crunchy peanut butter but they were great with the peanut pieces.






    Reply
  4. Sacha

    March 28, 2021 at 12:01 pm

    Does the milk get added to the wet ingredients? It’s not in the instructions. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. Crystal

    September 14, 2016 at 12:42 pm

    Can these defrost well if I store them in the freezer? My baby likes these, Thanks!






    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      September 14, 2016 at 1:16 pm

      Yes! I like to store my granola bars by wrapping them in plastic wrap first and then keeping them in a ziplock bag.

      Reply
  6. Rikki-Lee

    January 28, 2016 at 9:38 pm

    Just made these tonight! Fabulous! I love your recipes bc my toddler thinks he’s getting treats but it’s always so healthy!!!

    Reply
  7. Arman @ thebigmansworld

    January 16, 2016 at 7:05 pm

    RICE CRISPY TREATS! Seriously, that and brownies are on repeat at mine.

    Reply
  8. Nicole @ Foodie Loves Fitness

    January 11, 2016 at 9:30 pm

    Yummmm. I love all of those ingredients too, and I’m digging the short ingredient list! I’m definitely going to make these, and I want to try em with protein powder.

    Reply
  9. Shashi at RunninSrilankan

    January 11, 2016 at 11:28 am

    Homemade trumps store bought ANY day so these bars am thinking are totally inhalicious! Love your use of flax for an added dose of lignans! Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 11, 2016 at 11:39 am

      And I love that you managed to toss “lignans” in there πŸ˜† Happy Monday, Shashi! <3

      Reply
  10. Sarah

    January 10, 2016 at 6:55 pm

    Is there a way to make these without the flax?

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 11, 2016 at 11:36 am

      I think you should be fine to just leave it out completely, Sarah. I’ve done that [on accident] before and they came out just fine.

      Reply
  11. lindsay

    January 9, 2016 at 3:43 pm

    why yes, this is one reason why having a food allergy works. Makes you useful! haha. And DIY everything. And i’m okay with that because I have you. and these bars! <3

    Reply
  12. Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me

    January 8, 2016 at 6:04 pm

    Pinning this recipe now! Looks freaking amazing! Thank you Amanda for the recipe. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:25 pm

      Thank you for pinning, Julia! xox

      Reply
  13. Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves

    January 8, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    Mmmm. Soft and chewy are two adjectives that I love when it comes to granola bars. Banana and almond butter and oats are three foods that I love IN granola bars, so I have a feeling I’ll love these πŸ™‚
    I pretty much always make my own…oatmeal? As in, I never use the pre-packaged ones that you just add hot water to, unless I’m traveling. I think most people in the healthy living blog world are on the same boat though.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:26 pm

      I usually stay away from the little packets too. Unless I’m travelling, and even then it’s just plain oats without any flavours or sugars. I just steal packets of honey from Bux to sweeten them πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  14. Daisy @ Fit Wanderlust Runner

    January 8, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    Eek! These look so good. Can’t wait to try them out.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      I hope you like them, Daisy!

      Reply
  15. Beth

    January 8, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    I so wish I could find brown rice syrup. I have so many yummy recipes I want to try that require it!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:28 pm

      You could easily sub it with honey if you don’t need them to be vegan! I’ve made these kind of bars with honey before and they come out just as good.

      Reply
  16. Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health

    January 8, 2016 at 1:50 pm

    This post makes me want to NEVER buy store bought granola bars again. I’ve made my own many of times but I still fall victim to convenieve every now and then. But when they look this good and the ingredient list is that simple, there’s really no reason not to make your own. Or, even better, you could just start your own granola bar business and I can buy yours!! πŸ˜‰

    I hope you have a great weekend, lady! xo

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:30 pm

      We all fall victim to convenience… like me with hummus πŸ˜† I’d probably do it with bars too if I could eat all of the good ones out there *wistful*

      Reply
  17. Sam @ PancakeWarriors

    January 8, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    I would 100% choose these over anything store bought! I fell like we are in the same boat here with having to make so many of our snacks. Dave has a peanut and tree nut allergy so it’s all about the seeds when I make him food! I’ll bet trying this with sunbutter πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:27 pm

      Looove the Sunbutter! Have you ever tried roasted soy nut butter? It’s got a really nice flavour that’s a lot more “nutty” and mild. And you don’t have to worry about it turning baked goods green πŸ˜†

      Reply
  18. Nicole

    January 8, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    Sound great! Though I’ll pass on the protein ones. I don’t know where the protein fad came from, but while I was on it for some time (when I thought it was the answer to keeping me stay full), I’m definitely weirded out by it more and more. You should be able to get enough protein in your diet if you consume the right number of calories. If you have to rely on macronutrients from canisters of animal by-products for proper nutrition, well, that doesn’t sound too good. Now I’m not saying that to YOU, per se, but just in general πŸ˜‰ I like stirring the pot, haha.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      Lol! You’re definitely a bonafide pot stirrer πŸ˜‰ I’ll use protein powders for flavour and texture in some things, but I don’t see them as an actual protein source in my diet… especially since so many of them can make my stomach go wonky πŸ˜•

      Reply
  19. AmberLynn Pappas

    January 8, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Do you buy ground flax seed or do you use a coffee grinder to make your own? Just curious. These look delicious!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:23 pm

      I’ve done both. The ones I have right now are already ground, but grinding them in the coffee grinder works perfectly as well. And it’s actually better if you plan on keeping them around for a while because they don’t go rancid as fast when they’re whole.

      Reply
  20. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious

    January 8, 2016 at 11:44 am

    Making your own bars is so much cheaper and healthier and I completely understand the food intolerance issues. Eating gluten free (or trying to) has been really hard. Good thing I love to cook! It’s really too bad that more brands and restuarants can get back to the simplicity that so many of us are begging for.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:22 pm

      I can imagine that trying to eat GF must be quite the adjustment. I’ve had these allergies since I was born so it’s the only lifestyle I know, but finding out you can longer eat something you’ve been eating for your whole life? Eep. Tough.

      Reply
  21. Joyce

    January 8, 2016 at 9:43 am

    Nice! I definitely understand about food intolerances and allergies–I’m always excited to find a recipe I can eat! I’ll have to give these a try. I love your protein granola bars, but I don’t love the $ of protein powder and the fact that I have such a hard time finding protein powders that I can tolerate.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:19 pm

      I can completely relate to that, Joyce. A lot of protein powders can make my stomach a bit wonky as well, so I try to avoid them when I can.

      Reply
  22. Kat

    January 8, 2016 at 9:20 am

    You know what sucks? The fact that I have ALL of these ingredients [including just right bananas for baking!] and don’t have a freaking working oven!! Mine went and died on my this week. It’s very restricting for a foodie to not have an oven! Thank goodness I still have a stove top, but it means I can’t make your delicious bars….yet πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:09 pm

      No… oven?!?!?! 😯 I’d kind of be in trouble too, which is why I’m glad I have a backup toaster oven. I can’t even tell you how many muffins/bars/cookies I’ve made in that little thing πŸ˜†

      Reply
  23. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine

    January 8, 2016 at 9:14 am

    I’ve had a mad craving for banana bread recently! Bars seem like the perfect quick option to satisfy that πŸ˜‰

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:08 pm

      For some reason, January feels like a good time for banana bread. Even though I can never seem to find any ripe bananas πŸ˜•

      Reply
  24. Erin @ Erin's Inside Job

    January 8, 2016 at 8:35 am

    These sound delicious. I’m also all over those four ingredients. Maybe I’ll just eat a spoonful of each at the same time.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:05 pm

      Lolol! Totally been there. The lazy girl’s granola bar πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  25. Ash Diamond

    January 8, 2016 at 7:43 am

    I am definitely making these this weekend! They sound deliicous!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      I’d love to know how you like them, Ash!

      Reply
  26. Michele @ paleorunningmomma

    January 8, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Yum these look so good! And I 100% hear you on the store bought stuff – I’m the no-fun mom who refuses to buy anything but Larabars or the occasion Kind bars and even then my kids can’t actually take them to school because of the nuts. They are obsessed with granola and banana though so this is a winning combo.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      My mom was like that when I was little too, and it’s actually something I appreciate a tonne now!

      Reply
  27. Kelly @ Kelly Runs For Food

    January 8, 2016 at 6:15 am

    Ahh so yummy! Luckily for me I have no food allergies, so it’s open season on everything in my house. Something I always make instead of buying would probably be any kind of pasta sauce. Last time I picked up a jar sauce the second ingredient was corn syrup, so I decided it’s better and tastier to just make my own!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:04 pm

      That’s actually one thing that I’ve never tried making myself! You’re right, though — those tomato based sauces can be SO sneaky with the sugars.

      Reply
  28. Alysia at Slim Sanity

    January 8, 2016 at 5:11 am

    Yes! I was swooning over these yesterday πŸ™‚ do you think steel cut oats work ok with this? I guess maybe those are regular oats. I bought a huge bag from Costco only to realize they don’t microwave as well so I haven’t used many, ha!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 11:43 am

      I’m honestly not sure how well steel cut oats would work since they’re so much denser and harder. Hmm. They would probably work, but I I think they might make the bars slightly chewier?

      Reply
  29. Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood

    January 8, 2016 at 5:10 am

    These look amazing! Banana bread is my favorite ever, so these sound like my dream granola bar!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 11:42 am

      They seriously taste like a slice of banana bread! Only denser and chewier πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  30. Marina @ Snackie Bird

    January 8, 2016 at 5:06 am

    I made big batch of rawnola yesterday, and I can definitely say I would NEVER buy it again. So sweet and good for my body, also it`s first recipe I photoshoot and I am really proud of it!

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 12:16 pm

      That’s so awesome, Marina! I love the thrill that comes with making and photographing something awesome. Happy dances all around!

      Reply
  31. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets

    January 8, 2016 at 5:01 am

    I adore your Trail Mix granola bars so I’m sure I’d love these as well, mostly because they involve our beloved bananas.

    Also bonus points for rocking a mini list mid-post. πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 11:41 am

      Our beloved bananas are causing me a lot of grief 😑 I can’t seem to find any ripe ones, so I think I’m just going to have to stock up on a tonne of the neon green ones, let them ripen at home in huge batches, and then freeze them until I need them. Ahhh winter…

      Reply
      • Rose

        May 27, 2016 at 9:23 am

        If you keep the bananas in a dark place and pull each apart that helps them ripen quicker.

        Reply
  32. Hollie

    January 8, 2016 at 4:26 am

    These look good. I’m glad you were able to make something that doesn’t send you to the ER. I like chewy bars too…crunchy bars aren’t that appealing to me.

    Reply
    • Amanda @ .running with spoons.

      January 9, 2016 at 11:35 am

      I’d like to make it a goal in life to avoid the ER as much as possible πŸ˜‰ Although I almost sent myself there this morning after slicing my finger in the kitchen 😯

      Reply

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Amanda

I'm Amanda - health coach, cookbook author, recipe developer, photographer, makeup junkie, and the blogger behind Running with Spoons - a blog dedicated to proving that healthy snacking doesn't have to be tasteless or boring, one delicious recipe at a time. More about Amanda β†’

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