Chunky Monkey Protein Baked Oat Bars (Printable)

Energy-boosting baked oat bars packed with banana, chocolate chips, and walnuts. Ideal for meal prep breakfasts and healthy snacking.

# Components:

→ Wet Ingredients

01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
03 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or honey
04 - 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Dry Ingredients

07 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
08 - 1/2 cup vanilla or chocolate protein powder
09 - 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
10 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
11 - 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
13 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
14 - 1 teaspoon baking powder

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, mash bananas thoroughly. Whisk in applesauce, maple syrup, almond milk, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, combine oats, protein powder, walnuts, chocolate chips, coconut, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.
04 - Add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly. Top with extra chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.
06 - Bake for 25 to 28 minutes, or until golden and set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out mostly clean.
07 - Cool completely in the pan. Lift out using parchment paper, then slice into 12 equal bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They actually taste like a treat, not a punishment disguised as health food.
  • Made in one pan, no fancy equipment, and they're ready to grab on your way out the door.
  • The protein powder does real work here instead of making everything taste like cardboard.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling them completely in the pan—I learned this the hard way when I tried to cut them warm and ended up with bars that fell apart like biscotti.
  • If your protein powder tastes funky on its own, it will taste funky in these bars, so this is not the place to use the sketchy tub you won at the gym three years ago.
03 -
  • If your batter looks too thick, add an extra splash of almond milk—every banana is slightly different in moisture, so flexibility is your friend here.
  • Slice these bars while they're slightly cool but not cold for the cleanest cuts; a hot, damp knife helps you get through the chocolate without dragging.
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