Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars (V, GF): a one bowl recipe for simply delicious banana breakfast bars packed with your favorites for a good morning! Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, One Bowl.
Remember how I told you a few posts ago that my mom sometimes begrudgingly subjects herself to punch bowls of oatmeal morning after morning? And remember how I told you how much she totally loathed them?
Well, the thing is… Erik and I have our own bowls of oatmeal every morning, too. Except they’re not punch bowl-sized. THANK. Goodness. Well, while I tend to enjoy the comforting semi-blandness of that morning oatmeal with a bit of mashed banana and a gentle topping of nut butter, seeds and perhaps a sassy topping of dried fruit, Erik begs to differ.
He’d very much rather enjoy this moist chocolate chip banana bread recipe in the morning.
Every morning, we have our bowls of oatmeal and I’m serious—looking at Erik eating his bowl is like looking at my mom eating her gigantor bowl. Cue the Greek tragedy music. Lol. But I keep telling him, it’s GOOD that it’s bland! That way, we can keep eating it and we won’t get sick of it (again, Erik begs to differ–how predictable). I mean, does he not remember when we used to “enjoy” cereal with water?? Alright, fine, they certainly weren’t the good morning breakfast cookies he loves so much…
Anywho, after the 5 millionth morning of seeing that dour face, I decided enough was enough! I was right in the middle of pouring oats into our breakfast bowls. I started to grab a few bananas from our fruit bowl (okay, who are we kidding, we totally don’t have a fruit bowl—it’s just a huge colander that we cannot find the space to store).
The second the first few oats hit the bottom of the bowl, I could feel Erik sigh from the office. No, really.
So I thought, to heck with it! Today’s the day we recipe test for breakfast! Oh yeah! So I mashed a banana, added a bit of this and a bit of that, some peanut butter for pizzazz, a scoop of dried fruit for delicious sweetness… and guess what??
I made breakfast bars!! Namely, I made these Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars. You like?
You should have seen Erik’s face when he realized his usual morning oatmeal doom wasn’t gonna happen. He popped his head out of the office, like, “UM, what’s that heavenly scent?? Whatcha doin’?? Why are you so jazzed this morning??”
And then it hit him: no morning oatmeal bowls! And better yet, a surprise for breakfast. And even better better yet, that surprise held a striking resemblance to one of his favorite foods: vegan chocolate chip cookies. 🙂 Is there really anything better than whipping up a spontaneous treat for the ones you love?
The second he bit into these (a little too fresh out of the oven, because waiting is sooo not his strong suit), he was in heaven. I, myself, was surprised that my AM kitchen shenanigans worked out, just like that! No tricky recipe testing, no ego-deflating-this-is-not-cooking-so-you-can’t-just-throw-whatever-you-want-in-the-pan-like-it’s-just-a-few-spices-also-no-offense-all-you-amazing-cooks-out-there. Just delicious morning yum!
I tried really hard to include as little oil and added sugar as possible, so ya know, we could throw in a BUNCH of chocolate chips! But if chocolate isn’t your style, please, sit on my couch and tell me what is. I’m fascinated! 😉 J/k! The beauty of these gluten free banana chocolate chip oatmeal breakfast bars is that you can swap the add-ins for whatever tickles you pink first thing in the morning.
Now, while I eagerly await to hear what you think of these, let me tell you all about them. My Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars are:
- soft, chewy, satisfying
- made in just one bowl
- super easy to whip up (just like this 5 Ingredient Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites Recipe)
- vegan, gluten free, dairy-free
- packed full of simple, whole ingredients to keep you going all day
- refined sugar-free
- made with just 1 tablespoon each of coconut oil and maple syrup
- plant-based and allergy-friendly
- deliciously customizable
- SO not a semi-bland bowl of oatmeal (YEAH!!! <– that’s Erik screaming in my ear–did you sense that?)
Are you ready to rock your morning breakfast routine? Like in the cool way, not the startling way. Dang it… I’ve got to get more slick. Anywho, I hope you love this recipe as much as my family does. I’m so happy to join ya in the kitchen, whipping up all the wonderful treats you truly deserve. Looking forward to hearing what you think. In the meantime, tell me:
What’s your favorite morning routine?
Sending you all my love and maybe even a dove, xo Demeter ❤
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- 1 medium banana, ripened
- ¼ cup natural, unsalted creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil
- 1 flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water, whisked together, set for 15 minutes)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups gluten free rolled oats
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅓ cup vegan chocolate chips
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup walnuts, finely chopped
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or greased foil. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add peeled banana. Using a sturdy whisk or fork, mash until smooth. Add the remaining wet ingredients: peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, flax egg and vanilla. Whisk until well incorporated.
- Add the dry ingredients: oats, baking powder and baking soda. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until well incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips, raisins and walnuts.
- Pour this mixture into the prepared pan. Using the rubber spatula, smooth into an even layer.
- Bake for 12-18 minutes, until just lightly golden around the edges. Mine took 15 minutes. Cool for about 1 hour. Slice into bars. Enjoy! Storing instructions below.
- More breakfast recipes (all V + GF): peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal breakfast bars, good morning breakfast cookies, double chocolate banana muffins.
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If you love these Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars, you’ll really enjoy these recipes:
☀︎More Deliciously Gluten Free Vegan Breakfast Recipes
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins (V, GF, DF, One Bowl)
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Bars (V, GF, Whole Grain, Healthy)
Good Morning Breakfast Cookies (V, GF, DF, Whole Grain, Healthy)
One Bowl Vegan Gluten Free Banana Nut Bread (V, GF, DF, Whole Grain)
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LOL! I can literally hear Erik’s huffs and see sad puppy dog like face at the bowl of boring oatmeal. Listen, I like plain oatmeal as much as the next person, but I agree with Erik. It’s bland. And I would huff and puff if I was subject to eating it every morning of my life as well! 😉 But look at you FANCY-ING it up! These bars are fabulous, mi-lady! Absolutely NOTHING boring or bland about these babies! I mean you added chocolate chips! And ‘naners!! PLUS these can be made in just ONE bowl! WAHOOOO! Breakfast just got awesome. 😉 Pinned of course! Cheers, doll! XOXO
Haha. Riiiight? But the blandness can be quite comforting. Lol. Woohoo for these bland-less bars! Wait, that doesn’t sound too great, does it? Haha. Thanks for pinning! Cheers, cupcake! xoxox
These Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bars look so delicious!! ???? They’re, like, the perfect breakfast bar! Your post made me laugh! ???? It’s so awesome this recipe turned out for you the first time! Love when that happens. I’m sure Erik will be expecting more of your spontaneous breakfast ideas since this one turned out so well! lol So excited to try these! ????Pinned for later!
Aw yeah!! Breakfast perfection: what more could anyone ask for, first thing in the AM? 😉 Chalk that first time luck up to just that: luck!! I’ve had plenty of kitchen fails to make to even it all out. ???? Thanks for pinning!
You really can’t beat chocolate and oats baked into a bar for breakfast, these look so chewy and delicious! I bet you both were glad to be rid of a bowl of bland oatmeal that morning 😉
I do love baking up spontaneous treats for my loved ones, too – it feels extra special! Hope you have a fab weekend, Demeter! 🙂 xo
You seriously can’t! Haha. Erik certainly was a happy camper! 😉 It feels so special! Makes the day seem brighter. 🙂 Hope you have a great weekend too, Marsha! xo
These look so good! You can’t beat bananas and chocolate!!
Aw yeah!! You seriously can’t!
Surprise breakfasts are the best! So glad you finally got around to making oatmeal bars, because these look SO good! I never really used to like oatmeal, but I LOVED the smell of it. So every once in a while, I would force myself to eat a bowl after forgetting that I didn’t really care for it haha. Nowadays, I do like it better, but it does have to have flavor! These bars look perfect, love the banana chocolate chip combo. You can’t go wrong with that! Pinning these beauties! Have a great weekend, Demeter!
I know, right?? Nothing like a little treat in the morning to kick the day off right! Lolol. Gayle, you’re so funny! I’m so glad that you got onto the oatmeal train–it can be quite the tasty ride. 😉 Thanks for pinning! Have an awesome weekend, my friend. 🙂
Wait…you actually ate cereal with water!?!???? EWWWW!!! I mean not as eww as the weirdos who eat it with OJ, but still very eww. As for the whole bland = won’t get bored, chocolate is not bland and I still have yet to tire of it, so I might have to side with Erik on this one. You understand, right? Plus it’s good that he’s there with his sighing and slightly repulsed oatmeal face because it inspires spontaneous breakfast variations like this! Even better that you could add in the surprise element of just BAM your breakfast is a bar this morning! “…if chocolate isn’t your style, please, sit on my couch and tell me what is.” lolol???????? I have to wonder the same thing???? I burn my mouth pretty much every time I eat oatmeal, even bland I love the stuff. But with the gooey irresistible chocolate happening here my mouth better watch out! Waiting = not going to happen???? I am so ready to rock my breakfast in any sense of the word: mixing it up, music, or pebbles…or all 3???? Love ya!!❤️
I had to!!! I had no choice in the matter! Lol. Wait a minute, OJ?? I’m intrigued! Haha. Now I have to tell Erik that his dramatic sighs actually pay off. On second thought… let’s keep that to ourselves. 😉 Chocolate: one of the millions of reasons why we’re besties. No more burning your mouth! Love ya! <3
Great recipe and love how the pictures came out!
Thank you, Inci! 🙂
Breakfast, snack, dessert– whatever time is is, these babies are perfect for it. Love love love these things!
Oh yeah!! The perfect trifecta! Thanks so much, Karly! 🙂
I have a tree nut allergy, so I am going to try this with pumpkin seeds.
That sounds like a fantastic idea! Hope you just love it!
Oooh these look delicious! I have a banana and dry cereal at my desk at work for breakfast every morning, and I can tell you that it is bo-ring. I would definitely substitute these babies in a heartbeat!!
They’re SO good, Natasha! 🙂 Lol on the dry cereal–I’ve been there too many times. Haha.
Is it possible to use an actual egg instead of the flax? I love the idea of this recipe, but I only need it to be gluten free. Thanks. It sounds delicious!
Hi Ann! That should be just fine. 🙂 Can’t wait to hear what you think!
Hi, looks yummy but can I substitute the flax with something else?
Hi Jo! Yes, you can replace the flax egg with a chia egg. Use 1 tablespoon ground chia seed instead of the flax seed, follow directions as written. 🙂
I’m new to your blog and found this recipe through Pinterest. Just tried it out, replacing the banana with a grated carrot (much more indiginous here in Scotland!) and it turned out great! Delicious soft-baked, these bars are just sweet enough but feel virtuous too. I love how you’ve kept the added fat and sweet right down. Looking forward to seeing exploring your blog when I get a chance!
Hi there, Caroline! Welcome. 🙂 I’m seriously in love with the idea of replacing banana with carrot. It’s something I’ve got to try some time. Love your description of these bars as virtuous. <-- Gives me all the warm, fuzzy feels. Thank you for pinning! Can't wait to see what you try next. xo
These are so simple but so tasty! We pretty much ate them for dinner (they were intended as a snack) my boyfriend has already requested I make them regularly for work snacks!
They turned out just perfect and remind me of a good chocolate chip oatmeal cookie
Woohoo!! Simple and tasty is what I always aim for! 😉 Kea, I can’t even tell you how many times tha’s happened for me–I’ll just make some cookies as a snack… and suddenly they’ve turned into lunch or dinner. Haha. What could be better than having a breakfast treat that tastes like a cookie? ???? Thanks for reporting back! Can’t wait to hear what you try next. ????
Have you tried freezing them?
I haven’t yet. You should be able to make a batch, allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 month. Enjoy!
Is the peanut butter there for any reason other than taste? I’d like leave it out. These look delicious, btw!!
Hi Abri, it’s there for taste and an extra energy boost. 😉 Hmm… not sure how the consistency would turn out with 1/4 cup PB missing. Can you sub with another nut or seed butter? Perhaps with one you like?
Can’t wait to try these! What do you think about subbing peanut butter for sunbutter? Sunbutter seems a little more runny to me so wondering what you think. We have been trying to do the seed butters more so just curious.
Hi Kayla! I think that should be just fine. 🙂 I recall a reader making these with sunbutter and enjoying them. Let me know if you try and how they turn out. 😉
I discovered this recipe & exactly 20 minutes later I was pulling them out of the oven. SOO fast to throw together & completely delish!
My boys both gobbled up a nice warm bar for breakfast. I’m going to make a batch with Wowbutter for my son to take to school. This is for sure going to be a go-to recipe. Thank you! <3 😀
Isn’t it the BEST when prep time is that short? 😉 It’s basically one of my top goals on the blog to make super easy, super quick recipes (that actually TASTE GOOD haha). So happy that you and your boys enjoyed these, Eden. Wowbutter sounds like such a delish nut-free alternative. Thank YOU for taking the time to let me know how these turned out. <3 <3
As a mother with an 8 year old, a 3 year old, a 19 month old, and a 30 week bun in the oven, this recipe is a blessing sent straight from the heavens. I DO NOT cook in the mornings before 9am. The quiet morning hours are my time to read and soak up sweet silence and serenity. Thus, mornings where i have to get kids to school, preschool, and/or grandma mean that I’m trying to stuff things in my children’s face and convincing them it’s worth eating (bananas, cold bagels, or if I’m being super productive, a bowl of oatmeal). This recipe changes all that. Now I actually have someone tasty to offer my children, and it’s crazy easy to make the night before. If only I would stop eating them!!!
Your comment just made my ENTIRE day, Ash! I truly don’t know how you do it–you’ve got so much to juggle and you still manage to whip up a warm, homemade treat for your kids. <3 You remind me of my very amazing and wonderful momma. So happy that I could help make even the tiniest difference in your hectic AM schedule. Please let me know if you need help finding a recipe. Big hugs to you and your fam. Also, congrats on the bun in the oven! xo
Just made these with my toddler for a healthy breakfast — so nice to have some variety in our breakfast routine! Thanks!
Hi JoAnna! What a fun breakfast activity! I’m so happy to hear that you both enjoyed these. Here’s to more tasty mornings for you two! 🙂
These are SO DELICIOUS! I have made them twice now, both times with almond butter and real eggs. But try as I might I canNOT get them to dry out/cook in the center of the pan. I have cooked them for as long as 30 minutes and they end up very dry along the perimeter but still wet in the center. I still LOVE the flavor and will make them again regardless. But am I doing something wrong?
So glad you enjoyed them anyway! 🙂 Maybe try reducing the banana a bit? Banana sizes definitely vary widely. Good luck!
Anything with chocolate is my fave! Looks so good!!
Same here! Hope you love these!
I’m avoiding oil. Any substitutes?
Hi Karen, maybe try some applesauce or more banana. Enjoy!
Hey! I’ve made these a few times and really enjoyed them. Thank you for the recipe!
I’m wondering, would you mind if I shared one of your pictures and linked to your recipe from my blog, naomicakes.com?
Let me know if this is ok!
Hi Naomi, so happy to hear that you enjoyed it! 🙂 Yes, as long as you don’t include the full text of the recipe, you can link from your blog. 🙂 Enjoy!
Hi. I am going to try this tonight. Would you know how many calories are there in a piece? Thanks.
Hi Reena, I’m working on adding nutritional info across the site, slowly but surely. 😉 Thanks for your patience!
Fabulous!! I will be making these all of the time!!
Wonderful!! So happy that you enjoy them, Maggie! 🙂
Can I leave out the peanutbutter or sub it for anything else than nut- or seedbutter?
I definitely want to give this recipe a try!
The chocolate I do like is CACAO. Don’t keel over but I’m not very fond of the ordinary chocolate and still have a bar given to me at Xmas! I would really like pumpkin seeds and cashew or almond butter. Now would that go alright?
Hehe, I promise not to keel over! Chocolate is definitely not for everyone. 😉 Yes, the pumpkin seeds and cashew/almond butter should work just fine! You might even want to include some kind of dried fruit for the sweetness (as part of the add-ins). Enjoy!
These look amazing! May I ask what Vegan chocolate chips you used in this recipe? 😊
Just made these, only added raisins, and used almond butter instead of peanut butter. I used a real egg so that I didn’t have to actually grind flax seed up (lazy! lol) These didn’t stick together the way I expected them to (fork!) but they’re really really good. I add a little cinnamon, too.