Chocolate Chip Banana Bars Recipe

Bananas and chocolate are a timeless pairing, and when combined in a baked good, the result is a rich, moist, and indulgent treat. Chocolate chip banana bars are the perfect balance of soft, flavorful banana bread and the sweetness of chocolate chips, all packed into a convenient, handheld bar. These bars are ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, and they come together in just a few easy steps.

If you have overripe bananas sitting on your counter, this recipe is the perfect way to put them to use. Not only will you be reducing food waste, but you’ll also create a crowd-pleasing treat that’s both comforting and delicious.

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

• Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
• Mash the Bananas: In a medium bowl, mash the bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth with just a few small lumps remaining. The riper the bananas, the easier they will mash, and the sweeter they’ll taste in your bars.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar using an electric mixer or a whisk. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and continue mixing until fully incorporated.
• Add the Mashed Bananas: Stir in the mashed bananas until evenly mixed with the wet ingredients. The bananas will add moisture and richness to the batter.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). This will ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to dense bars. The batter should be thick and smooth.
• Fold in the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips using a spatula or spoon. If you’re using nuts, you can fold them in at this stage as well.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

• Pour the Batter into the Pan: Spread the batter evenly in your prepared 9×13-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top so it bakes evenly.
• Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake; the bars should be moist and tender inside.
• Cool: Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. If you’ve lined the pan with parchment paper, you can easily lift the bars out for cooling.

Step 6: Serve

• Cut and Serve: Once the bars have cooled, cut them into squares or rectangles. Serve them as a delicious snack, breakfast treat, or dessert. You can also drizzle melted chocolate on top for an extra touch of sweetness.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Chip Banana Bars:

1. Use Ripe Bananas:

The key to a moist, flavorful banana bar is using very ripe bananas. Bananas with brown spots on the peel are the best choice because they have the most natural sweetness and flavor. The riper your bananas, the more moisture they’ll add to the batter, which helps create a soft, tender bar.

2. Don’t Overmix the Batter:

Overmixing the batter can lead to dense, tough bars. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few small streaks of flour remaining; the goal is to mix just enough to incorporate everything.

3. Chocolate Chip Substitutes:

While semisweet chocolate chips are the classic choice, you can easily swap them out for other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or even white chocolate chips. For added texture, you can mix in some chopped chocolate or even a combination of different chocolate types.

4. Add Nuts for Crunch:

For a nutty addition, consider mixing in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds. Nuts add a crunchy contrast to the soft banana bars and pair well with the chocolate.

5. Use a Parchment Lining for Easy Removal:

If you’re planning to serve these bars at a party or bake sale, lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easier to lift the entire batch out and cut it into neat squares. It also prevents the bars from sticking to the pan.

6. Don’t Overbake:

These banana bars should be soft and moist. Start checking the doneness at 25 minutes by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, they’re ready. Overbaking can cause them to dry out.

7. Storage Tips:

Store leftover banana bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them. Simply wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap or foil and store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds to enjoy them again.

Variations and Customizations:

1. Vegan Chocolate Chip Banana Bars:

To make these bars vegan, you can substitute the butter with vegan butter or coconut oil. For the eggs, use a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit for 5 minutes) or a store-bought egg replacer. Be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips as well.

2. Gluten-Free Banana Bars:

To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You can also add a teaspoon of xanthan gum if your flour blend doesn’t already contain it to help with texture.

3. Add a Swirl of Nut Butter:

For a richer, more decadent treat, swirl in some peanut butter, almond butter, or Nutella into the batter before baking. You can either fold it into the batter or create a marbled effect by adding spoonfuls of nut butter on top of the batter and swirling with a knife.

4. Tropical Twist:

Add a tropical flavor by incorporating shredded coconut, pineapple chunks, or macadamia nuts. The tropical flavors will complement the banana and chocolate nicely.

5. Brown Butter for Extra Flavor:

For a deeper, nuttier flavor, you can brown the butter before adding it to the batter. To do this, melt the butter in a pan over medium heat, swirling occasionally until it turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma. Let the browned butter cool slightly before using it in the recipe.

Serving Suggestions:

• With a Scoop of Ice Cream: Serve the banana bars warm with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
• Coffee Pairing: These bars pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a latte. The rich flavor of the bananas and chocolate complements the boldness of coffee perfectly.
• Drizzle with Caramel: For an added touch of sweetness, drizzle the cooled bars with warm caramel sauce just before serving.

Conclusion:

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a versatile, easy-to-make treat that combines the comfort of banana bread with the sweetness of chocolate. Whether you’re looking for a snack, dessert, or breakfast item, these bars deliver on flavor and texture. With the option to customize the recipe with various mix-ins or dietary adjustments, you can make this treat your own.

Enjoy baking and sharing these chocolate chip banana bars, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different flavors and add-ins. Whether you’re serving them at a family gathering, packing them in a lunchbox, or just indulging in a treat yourself, these bars are sure to be a hit!

Yield: 12-15 Bars

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars Recipe

Print

Bananas and chocolate are a timeless pairing, and when combined in a baked good, the result is a rich, moist, and indulgent treat. Chocolate chip banana bars are the perfect balance of soft, flavorful banana bread and the sweetness of chocolate chips, all packed into a convenient, handheld bar. These bars are ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, and they come together in just a few easy steps.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or milk chocolate if you prefer)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x9-inch baking dish or an 8x8-inch dish with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, and sugar. Stir until everything is well combined. Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Mix the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Add chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips to distribute them evenly through the batter.
6. Bake the bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean with just a few moist crumbs (a little melted chocolate is fine!).
7. Cool and slice: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice into bars and enjoy!

Notes

• Bananas: The riper your bananas, the better! Overripe bananas give these bars a sweeter, more intense flavor.
• Texture: These bars are soft and cake-like in texture, so don't expect them to be chewy like cookies. If you want them a bit denser, you could try adding a bit less flour or baking for a shorter time.
• Add-ins: Feel free to add in nuts (like walnuts or pecans) or a swirl of peanut butter for extra flavor. You could also use a mix of dark chocolate chips and white chocolate chips for variety.