Peanut Butter, Banana and Oats: 3 Ingredients, No Oven, Ready in 15 Minutes

Peanut Butter, Banana and Oats: 3 Ingredients, No Oven, Ready in 15 Minutes

Bygptwork

If you have a ripe banana, a jar of peanut butter and some oats, you already have dessert. These little bites need no oven, no mixer and almost no cleanup.

You mash the banana, stir in the peanut butter and oats, roll the dough into balls and chill them. That is the whole method. The result is soft, chewy and full of peanut flavor.

They are perfect for an evening snack, a lunch-box treat or a quick sweet thing when guests drop by. Even kids can make them with a little help.

Time and servings

Prep time: 10 minutes. Chilling time: 30 minutes. Makes about 16 bites, enough for 4 to 6 people.

Ingredients

  • 1 large very ripe banana (about 120 g peeled)
  • 1/2 cup (130 g) natural peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
  • 1 1/2 cups (135 g) rolled oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
  • A pinch of salt, only if your peanut butter is unsalted
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips or chopped peanuts
  • Optional for rolling: 2 tablespoons shredded coconut or extra oats

Instructions

  1. Peel the banana and mash it in a large bowl with a fork until it is almost smooth. A few small lumps are fine.
  2. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Stir until the mixture is creamy and evenly combined.
  3. Add the oats a little at a time and stir well. The dough should be thick, sticky and easy to shape. If it feels too wet, add 2 tablespoons more oats.
  4. Fold in the chocolate chips or peanuts if you are using them.
  5. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. This makes the dough firmer and much easier to roll.
  6. With slightly damp hands, roll the dough into balls about the size of a walnut, roughly 1 tablespoon each. Roll them in coconut or oats if you like.
  7. Place the bites on a plate or tray lined with baking paper and chill for another 15 to 30 minutes before serving.

Tips for the best result

The banana must be ripe. A pale banana tastes starchy and the bites will not be sweet. If your bananas are not ready, microwave a peeled banana for 30 seconds, then mash it.

Use natural peanut butter that is well stirred. If the oil has separated and you did not mix it back in, the dough can turn greasy or crumbly.

Damp hands stop the dough from sticking to your fingers. Rinse and shake them again whenever the dough starts to cling.

Variations

Swap the peanut butter for almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version if you use the seed butter. Add a spoonful of cocoa powder for a chocolate peanut bite.

You can also press the dough into a lined small pan, chill it, and cut it into squares instead of rolling. This is faster when you are in a hurry.

Storage

Keep the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They taste best when they are slightly cold and firm.

For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer, then move them to a bag. They keep for 2 months and thaw in about 15 minutes at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to cook the oats first?

No. Rolled oats soften in the banana and peanut butter as the bites chill, so they are ready to eat without cooking.

Are these bites sweet enough without sugar?

They are lightly sweet, with the sweetness coming from the banana. If you want them sweeter, stir in a teaspoon or two of honey or maple syrup.

Can I use quick oats?

Yes, but the texture will be softer and less chewy. You may need slightly fewer oats, so add them gradually.

Why is my dough too sticky to roll?

The banana may have been very large or very wet. Add a spoonful of oats at a time and chill the dough longer. Cold dough is much easier to handle.

Can I make them nut-free?

Yes, use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. The flavor is a little different, but the texture is just as good. Check the label to make sure it was not made in a facility that handles nuts if allergies are a concern.

Peanut butter banana oat bites show how three humble ingredients can become a real treat in minutes. Keep a batch in the fridge and you will always have something good to reach for.

Make them once and you will probably never buy a snack bar again.