Heavenly Banana Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Sweet and indulgent banana chocolate chip bars blend comfort with decadence in every single bite.

Ripe bananas provide natural sweetness that perfectly complements rich chocolate chips.

These delightful bars offer a simple yet irresistible treat you can whip up in minutes.

Soft, moist, and packed with flavor, they elevate a classic dessert into something truly special.

The aroma of baking bananas and melting chocolate will fill your kitchen with warmth.

Each bar promises a delightful balance of fruity and chocolatey notes that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to satisfy your sweet tooth with this easy and delicious recipe that’s sure to become a household favorite.

Why Banana Chocolate Chip Bars Work

• Combine the classic flavors of ripe bananas and rich chocolate chips, creating a nostalgic treat that brings warmth and joy to any gathering.
• Enjoy these bars as a quick breakfast, afternoon pick-me-up, or sweet dessert that satisfies cravings without complicated preparation.
• Simplify your baking process with a single mixing bowl and straightforward ingredients, reducing cleanup and making the recipe hassle-free for busy home cooks.

Ingredients for Banana Chip Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: A staple baking ingredient that provides structure and texture to the banana chocolate chip bars.
• Fine Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the dessert.

• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the bars, creating a tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the bars soft.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the bar's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the bananas.

• Ripe Bananas: Brings natural sweetness and moisture to the bars, creating a soft and tender texture.
• Chocolate Chips: Adds pockets of melty chocolate that contrast with the banana flavor.
• Cooking Spray: Helps prevent the bars from sticking to the baking dish.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal of the bars after baking.

How to Make Banana Chocolate Bars

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray for easy removal later.

Step 2: Whip Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter and brown sugar using a mixer.

Beat on medium-high speed for about 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

If mixing by hand, ensure butter is extremely soft.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Egg
• Vanilla extract
• Fine salt

Mix on medium-low speed until everything combines smoothly.

Use a rubber spatula to scrape down bowl sides for even blending.

Step 4: Incorporate Flour

Gradually add all-purpose flour to wet ingredients.

Mix on low speed until just combined.

Be careful not to overmix to maintain bar tenderness.

Step 5: Fold in Fruits and Chips

Gently fold in mashed bananas until fully incorporated.

Add chocolate chips, reserving a few for topping.

Distribute evenly throughout the batter.

Step 6: Transfer and Top

Pour batter into prepared baking dish.

Smooth the top with a spatula.

Sprinkle reserved chocolate chips across the surface.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place dish in preheated oven.

Bake for 33-37 minutes until edges turn golden brown.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Rotate pan halfway through for even baking.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Use parchment paper edges to lift bars out of pan.

Cut into 16 squares using a sharp knife.

Wipe blade between cuts for clean, precise slices.

Tips for Baking Banana Chip Bars

• Leave butter at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before mixing to achieve a light, fluffy texture without microwaving.
• Use overripe bananas and mash them thoroughly with a fork to ensure even distribution and maximum flavor throughout the bars.
• Toss chocolate chips in a tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter to help them stay suspended and prevent sinking to the bottom.
• Insert a toothpick at an angle near the center; a few moist crumbs are okay, but wet batter means more baking time is needed.
• Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain their soft texture.

How to Store Banana Chocolate Bars

• Store cooled banana chocolate chip bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness and flavor preservation.
• Keep bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain covered to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds, or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 3-5 minutes to restore their soft, fresh-baked texture.

What to Pair with Banana Chip Bars

• Perfect Sip and Savor Companions
• Indulge with Rich Espresso Pairing: A bold espresso shot or creamy cappuccino complements the sweet banana and chocolate chip bars, cutting through their richness while enhancing the dessert's deep flavor profile.
• Create Creamy Milk Harmony: Cold whole milk or a smooth vanilla almond milk provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the warm, decadent bars, balancing the chocolate's intensity and banana's sweetness.
• Elevate with Nutty Liqueur Match: A small glass of hazelnut or almond liqueur like Frangelico adds sophisticated depth, echoing the banana's natural nuttiness and chocolate's complex undertones, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Enhance with Caramel Whisper: A light drizzle of salted caramel sauce on the side intensifies the bars' flavor complexity, adding a sophisticated layer of sweetness that beautifully connects with the banana and chocolate notes.

Recipe Ideas for Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

• Gluten-Free Version: Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the mix contains xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of a regular egg, and choose dairy-free chocolate chips to create a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Sugar Option: Substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar or monk fruit sweetener, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining a natural sweetness from ripe bananas.
• Nutty Enhancement: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the batter for added crunch and nutritional value, creating a more complex flavor profile.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes, thaw frozen bananas completely and drain excess liquid before mashing. Make sure they are very ripe for the best flavor and texture.

• How ripe should the bananas be?

Use bananas that are very dark brown or almost black. Overripe bananas provide more sweetness and moisture to the bars.

• What if I don't have brown sugar?

You can substitute white granulated sugar, but brown sugar adds more moisture and a deeper caramel-like flavor to the bars. If using white sugar, add an extra tablespoon of butter to maintain moisture.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. The texture might be slightly different, but the bars will still be delicious.

Banana Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Sweet banana chocolate chip bars promise a delightful blend of comforting homemade goodness and irresistible indulgence. Packed with ripe bananas and rich chocolate chips, these bars offer a perfect treat that satisfies your craving for something simple yet deliciously memorable.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Banana Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250g) mashed overripe banana (about 2 large bananas)
• 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (125g) chocolate chips, chopped

Sugar and Fat Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 large egg (56g), room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons (6g) vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) fine salt

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking dish by lining with parchment paper and lightly spraying with cooking spray to facilitate easy removal.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar using a mixer on medium-high speed for approximately 2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
3. Introduce egg, vanilla extract, and salt to the creamed mixture, blending on medium-low speed until thoroughly combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape bowl sides for even integration.
4. Gradually incorporate all-purpose flour into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Take care to avoid over-mixing to maintain bar tenderness.
5. Gently fold mashed bananas into the batter until fully integrated, then carefully mix in chocolate chips, reserving a few for topping.
6. Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Distribute remaining chocolate chips evenly across the top.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 33-37 minutes, rotating the pan midway through cooking. Look for golden brown edges and a clean toothpick test when inserted into the center.
8. Allow bars to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, lift from the pan using parchment paper edges and slice into 16 uniform squares, cleaning the knife between cuts for a pristine presentation.

Notes

• Softening Butter Perfectly: Microwave butter in 5-second intervals to reach the ideal soft consistency without melting, ensuring smooth creaming with sugar.
• Banana Ripeness Matters: Use overripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and deeper banana flavor in the bars.
• Chocolate Chip Distribution: Toss chocolate chips in a teaspoon of flour before folding into the batter to prevent them from sinking during baking.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 16g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 31g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 30mg