Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Bars
Decadent sheet pan bars combining caramelized bananas, creamy peanut butter, and a buttery oat crust for a simple crowd-pleaser dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 45 minutes pairs medium, sliced ripe bananas, granulated sugar, divided unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, sliced ripe bananas
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter with 1/3 cup granulated sugar. Add 3 sliced ripe bananas and cook for 6-8 minutes, stirring gently until the bananas are caramelized and syrupy. Remove from heat.
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt. Stir in 2 tbsp melted unsalted butter, 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until a crumbly dough forms.
- Step 3: Press two-thirds of the oat mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9x13-inch sheet pan. Spread the caramelized banana mixture evenly over the crust.
- Step 4: Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the bananas and gently press down.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden and set. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Bars take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (15 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Bars?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, sliced ripe bananas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Bars?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Bars for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Caramelized Banana and Peanut Butter Sheet Pan Bars?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Loved it! Easy and delicious.
- ★★★★★
These bars are a hit with my kids! The caramelized bananas add the perfect sweetness.
- ★★★★☆
The bars were great, but the caramelization took longer than expected.
