Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. (The paper helps make the bars be easy to lift out and slice after baking, without scratching your pan.)

Step 2

Add the oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, and chia seeds to a medium bowl. Stir to mix.

Step 3

Add the mashed banana, oil, honey, vanilla, and chocolate chips. Stir very well to evenly combine the wet and the dry ingredients.

Step 4

Press the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 5

Cover pan with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes. (The foil prevents the edges from over browning.)

Step 6

Remove pan from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 7

Once cooled, use the paper to lift the bars out of the pan onto a cutting board. Slice into rectangles or squares.