This easy banana bar recipe is absolutely delicious and simple to make – even better than traditional banana bread!
Too busy to make this right away? Pin it for later! Pin this easy recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest and it will be waiting there when you’re ready.
We are huge fans of banana bread and banana recipes around here. These Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins have been a staple in the boys’ lunch boxes for years.
Whenever I make banana muffins they get eaten up in minutes so I started making banana bars instead, for an even quicker version of this family favorite. Creating banana bars cuts out the time needed to divide and serve in muffin cups.
How to ripen bananas quickly:
This recipe calls for overripe bananas, the riper the better. To ripen your bananas quickly, place them into a paper bag overnight. The bag traps ethylene, the element that makes for ripening bananas.
You can also try heating the bananas in the microwave or oven to cook and soften them more quickly.
These healthy banana bars are perfectly moist, soft and flavourful. This is an easy banana bar recipe to pack for picnics, road trips and school lunches.
How to make the best banana bars:
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cup mashed bananas, about 3 medium bananas
Optional add ins:
- 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dehydrated cranberries
- 1/2 walnut halves, chopped
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
2. Line the bottom of a square 8 inch x 8 inch non stick baking pan with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine dry ingredients.
4. In a medium bowl cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture and mix at medium speed until a cake like batter forms.
6. Fold in mashed bananas and optional ingredients.
7. Pour batter into the square baking pan.
8. Bake bars for 30-35 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Tip: slightly under bake the bars for a softer texture in the center.
9. Remove to a wire rack to completely cool.
10. Cut into 2 inch bars for serving.
This recipe makes 16 perfectly moist banana chocolate chip bars. You can easily create a double batch in a cake pan to make a moist banana cake as well.
What toppings can you add to these?
- cream cheese frosting
- powdered sugar
- brown butter frosting
- vanilla ice cream
- chocolate ganache
Our whole family loves these chocolate chip banana bars! It’s so fun to change up the recipe depending on what ingredients I might have in the pantry.
Sometimes I might add; coconut, sour cream, cocoa powder, raisins, pecans, milk chocolate chips, white chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.
How to store banana bars:
Store these baked bars in a large freezer bag or airtight container for a week at room temperature or in the freezer for up to three months. You can also cover the entire pan in plastic wrap for next time.
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Some of my kitchen essentials:
- I love using this non-stick bakeware for all of my baking.
- These silicone mitts are perfect for grasping hot pans and baking dishes.
- This Henckel Knife is my favorite for slicing and dicing in the kitchen.
- These parchment paper bags are perfect for packaging and these large Rubbermaid food storage containers are great for storing baking in the freezer.
If you love these Easy Banana Bars, please give them a five star review and help me share them on Facebook or Pinterest so that others can enjoy them too!
Easy Banana Bar Recipe
This easy banana bar recipe is absolutely delicious and simple to make - even better than traditional banana bread!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cup mashed bananas
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or dried cranberries (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f.
2. Line the bottom of a square 8 inch x 8 inch non stick baking pan with parchment paper.
3. In a large bowl with an electric mixer or stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine dry ingredients.
4. In a medium bowl cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a smooth batter forms.
6. Fold in mashed bananas and optional ingredients.
7. Pour the batter into the square baking pan.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Tip: slightly under bake the bars for a softer texture in the center.
9. Remove to a wire rack to completely cool.
10. Cut into 2 inch bars for serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 145Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 163mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 1gSugar: 11gProtein: 2g
All values are approximate and based on ingredients used by the recipe writer. Always calculate your own individual nutritional values for the most accurate calculation.
