Banana Bread Bars
These banana bread bars are soft, thick, gooey, and melt in your mouth delicious! This easy recipe is great for a grab and go breakfast, afternoon snack with tea, or healthier dessert. Everything is mixed together in one bowl.
Lather up a slice with some butter, peanut butter, or almond butter. You will love these banana chocolate chip bars!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients and minimal steps make these banana bread bars quick and easy.
- Customize with your favorite add-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or spices.
- Easily cut into squares for feeding family and friends.
- Ripe bananas provide the perfect sweetness, minimizing the need for added sugar.
- This recipe is great any time of the day!
- Serve for breakfast, brunch, an afternoon snack, or even dessert!
- These banana bread bars are gluten free and refined sugar free.
- Check out this Gluten Free Banana Bread for another favorite recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutes
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for these banana bread bars. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.
First, use ripe bananas. They add natural sweetness.
Two eggs help bind the bars together. If you are vegan or egg free, try this Vegan Banana Bread.
To naturally sweeten these bars, use a liquid sweetener such as pure maple syrup or honey. Agave nectar also works well.
Plain Greek yogurt adds moisture and protein.
All natural creamy peanut butter adds a delicious flavor! Use a brand that is made with only peanuts and salt.
Rolled oats add a delicious texture. Use certified gluten free oats if needed.
Oat flour can be made from ground up oats if needed.
Baking soda helps these bars rise while baking.
Lastly, fold in dark chocolate chips or nuts.
Taste & Texture
Expect a moist and tender crumb with a subtle sweetness from the ripe bananas.
The addition of mix-ins adds various textures and flavors. These bars offer a comforting and satisfying taste experience that’s perfect for any time of day.
How to Make
Step 1
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed ripe bananas, eggs, maple syrup, yogurt, and peanut butter. Stir to combine.
Step 3
Then, add in the oats, oat flour, and baking soda. Stir to combine.
Step 4
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 5
Spread the batter into the lined pan.
Step 6
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only moist crumbs.
Step 7
Finally, fully cool these banana bread bars before slicing and serving.
Expert Tips for Success
Follow these tips and tricks to make the best banana bread bars.
The riper the bananas, the sweeter the bread! Overripe bananas work best.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before cutting to prevent crumbling.
Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
Here are some fun ways to switch up the flavors of your banana bread bars.
Chocolate Chip: Stir in up to 1 cup of chocolate chips for a classic combination.
Nutty Delight: Add in up to 1 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
Spiced Up: Enhance the flavors with a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger.
How to Serve & Store
Serve these banana bread bars once fully cooled. They are great for breakfast, brunch, snacks, and desserts.
These bars pair well with crispy bacon, a side of fruit, or by itself.
Cozy up with a mug of tea or coffee with your banana bars.
Room Temperature: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Absolutely! Feel free to use almond butter for a similar taste and texture.
No problem! You can easily make your own oat flour by adding rolled oats to a blender and blending until a powder consistency is reached.
These bars tend to be gooey when fresh out of the oven. That’s perfectly normal! Allow them to cool completely before slicing into them. This will allow the bars to firm up and set properly.
Equipment Needed
Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: Parchment paper is vital for this recipe.
Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: These mixing bowls are great for these banana bread bars.
Check out all of my kitchen favorites!
You May Also Enjoy
- Sourdough Banana Bread
- Protein Banana Bread
- Cinnamon Crunch Banana Bread
- Coconut Flour Banana Bread
- Pumpkin Banana Bread
If you make this banana bread bar recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, check out these Breakfast Recipes.
Get the Recipe: Banana Bread Bars
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup or honey
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ⅓ cup creamy all natural peanut butter
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup oat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ⅔ cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed ripe bananas, eggs, maple syrup, yogurt, and peanut butter. Stir to combine.
- Then, add in the oats, oat flour, and baking soda. Stir to combine.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter into the lined pan.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only moist crumbs.
- Finally, fully cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For the best flavor and texture, use brown spotted ripe bananas. Do not use green bananas.
- Feel free to use almond butter instead of peanut butter.
- If you do not have oat flour, simply add oats to a blender and blend until a powder consistency is reached.
- The bars will be very gooey right out of the oven. Allow them to cool before slicing into.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Check out all of my kitchen favorites!