Somewhere between baked oatmeal and a granola bar, these soft baked banana oatmeal bars with no added sugar are a perfect make ahead snack for babies and toddlers. You'll love how easy they are to make and that they're made with only healthy ingredients! (gluten-free)
This post has been written and medically reviewed by Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist).
Soft Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars
When my little ones ask for a snack, I look for a few things: low sugar, healthy ingredients, and at least some protein. These soft baked banana oatmeal bars check all three boxes. They are made with just 5 wholesome ingredients, have no added sugar, and are perfect for making ahead for little ones to snack on (or for breakfast!). The texture is like a soft granola bar or firm baked oatmeal, so they're easy for little hands to hold and to little mouths to chew - even for baby led weaning starting at 6 months of age!
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Ingredients
- Very ripe banana - Banana provides all the sweetness, so you want a very ripe (brown) banana.
- Quick oats - These give the best texture. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.
- Egg - binds everything together
- Vanilla extract - for a little extra flavor
- Coconut oil - Use unrefined (virgin) coconut oil. You could also swap in melted butter or avocado oil.
Helpful equipment: Loaf pan (roughly 9 x 5 inch), parchment paper
Step By Step Instructions
For the full printable recipe, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Mash the banana well.
- Whisk in the melted coconut oil, egg and vanilla.
- Stir in the oats.
- Press the mixture into a loaf pan lined with parchment.
- Bake at 350°F for 16-20 minutes.
- Allow the oats to cool in the pan before removing, then cut into 6 bars.
Tips and Recipe Variations
- Make sure to let the baked bars cool in the pan before removing and cutting, or they could fall apart when you try to lift them out of the pan.
- This recipe can be doubled and baked in an 8- or 9- inch square pan.
- For older kiddos, feel free to stir in mini chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts.
Storage
Store baked oatmeal bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They will also freeze well for up to 3 months.
You can serve them cold from the refrigerator, or heat them up briefly in the microwave, oven, or air fryer on a low setting.
How To Serve Baked Oatmeal Bars To Babies 6 Months and Up
Roughly 1-inch wide bars are the perfect shape for little hands to garb with a fist and munch on, so you can offer baby a bar without making any modifications.
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Soft Baked Banana Oatmeal Bars for Baby and Toddler
Somewhere between baked oatmeal and a granola bar, these soft baked banana oatmeal bars with no added sugar are a perfect make ahead snack for babies and toddlers. You'll love how easy they are to make and that they're made with only healthy ingredients! (gluten-free)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 bars 1x
- Category: snack, breakfast
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- ¾ cup very ripe banana, mashed (1 large or 2 small)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp unrefined coconut oil, melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup quick oats, certified gluten free if necessary
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Line a loaf pan (about 9 x 5 inch) with parchment paper.
- Mash the banana and measure out ¾ cup.
- In a large bowl, whisk the banana, egg, melted coconut oil and vanilla.
- Stir in the oats.
- Press the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 16-20 minutes, or until set.
- Allow the oats to cool in the pan before removing. Once cooled, use the parchment to lift the baked oats out of the pan and cut into 6 bars.
Notes
- Store baked oatmeal bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- You can swap the coconut oil for melted butter or avocado oil.
- Feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon or salt.
- For older kiddos, feel free to stir in mini chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped nuts.
- The recipe can be doubled and baked in an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish.
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