Easy Banana Peanut Butter Oat Bars

Course Dessert

Ingredients

2 medium ripe bananas
½ cup natural peanut butter creamy or crunchy
½ cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons coconut oil melted
½ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 scoops collagen protein ~20g (or your choice of protein powder)
½ cup chocolate chips or sub cacao nibs or dried fruit for a vegan version
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts optional
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350ºF and line an 8x8" baking dish with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork. Once pureed, stir in peanut butter, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla.
Add rolled oats, collagen or protein powder, chocolate chips, walnuts (if using), and salt; stir to combine.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until set.
Take the dish out of the oven and let it cool for 30 minutes in the pan. Use the parchment paper to lift the bars out and let them cool completely before slicing into 12 bars. (You can sprinkle some flaky salt on top if you like, but this is optional!)

Notes

**Storing:** Keep the bars in an airtight Tupperware container at room temperature for 3 days. After that, refrigerate for up to 3 more days.
**Freezing:** Let the bars cool to room temperature, then wrap each square in plastic wrap. Place them in an airtight container and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and warm on a microwave-safe plate for 30-60 seconds. Enjoy!