Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Bars

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

02 - 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder

03 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

05 - 1 teaspoon baking powder

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed

07 - 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup

08 - 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

09 - 2 large eggs

10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

11 - 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or unsalted butter

→ Mix-Ins

12 - 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for removal.

02 - In a large bowl, whisk together rolled oats, protein powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder.

03 - In a separate bowl, mash bananas until smooth; add honey or maple syrup, applesauce, eggs, vanilla, and melted coconut oil, then whisk until combined.

04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.

05 - Carefully fold in blueberries, avoiding overmixing, especially if using frozen berries.

06 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan.

07 - Bake for 28 to 32 minutes until bars are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

08 - Allow to cool completely in the pan, then lift out using parchment overhang and cut into 12 bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -

They're dense and chewy enough to feel indulgent, but you know exactly what's inside them.
One bar with coffee actually keeps you full until lunch, which is rare for something this simple.
The blueberries burst slightly as they bake, creating little pockets of sweetness throughout.

02 -

If you cut the bars while they're still warm, they'll crumble apart; wait until they're completely cool, and they'll slice like they were meant to.
Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh ones, and sometimes better because they don't release as much moisture into the batter.

03 -