BANANA ORANGE BARS

Banana Orange Bars a delicious snack that can be enjoyed any time of the day! These orange banana bars are perfect for those who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle while still enjoying a sweet treat.

One of the best things about this banana bars recipe is that they are easy to make at home, you only need a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time. Once you have the ingredients, simply mix them together, bake them in the oven, and enjoy these banana bread bars throughout the week.

Banana Orange Bars

Banana Orange Bars are a delicious and healthy snack that is perfect for anyone who loves the taste of bananas and oranges. These bars are made easily with basic kitchen ingredients and make a great on-the-go snack, as they can be easily packed in a lunchbox or taken with you on a hike or road trip. The bars are light and fluffy enough to be a perfect daytime snack, and the sweet frosting makes them a satisfying dessert dish as well.

Why You Will Love This Frosted Banana Bar Recipe

• Easy to Make: This recipe is easy to follow and requires only a few ingredients. You don’t need any fancy equipment or baking skills to make these bars.
• Great for On-the-Go: These bars are perfect for busy mornings or as a mid-day snack. You can pack them in your lunchbox or take them with you on a hike or road trip.
• Customizable: You can easily customize this recipe to suit your taste preferences. You can add chocolate chips, raisins, or other dried fruits to the mix. You can also adjust the sweetness level to your liking.

Banana Orange Bars Ingredients

Bananas: You need 1 cup of mashed ripe bananas for these bars, this is equal to about 2 bananas.

Sugar: Use ¾ cup of granulated sugar to make the bars perfectly sweet but not overly so.

Coconut oil: Add ½ cup of softened coconut oil to give the bars plenty of moisture to stay nice and soft. You could also use vegetable oil if that is what you have on hand, however, it will change the nutritional value.

Eggs: You will need 2 large eggs to help create the perfect texture for these tasty bars.

Flour: Use 1 cup of flour for the structural base of this bread dough.

Cinnamon: Add in 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for a well-spiced treat.

Leavening agents: You will need 1 teaspoon of baking powder and ½ teaspoon of baking soda for these bars to rise nicely as they bake.

Salt: Using in ½ teaspoon of salt will help to enhance the flavors in the recipe.

Orange frosting

Butter: You will need 2 tablespoons of softened butter for a wonderfully rich-tasting frosting.

Powdered sugar: Using 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar as the frosting base will make it smooth and sweet.

Orange juice: To get the right consistency and flavor, use 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice.

Orange peel: Use ¼ teaspoon of grated orange peel (orange zest) for the frosting plus some more for sprinkling on top.

How to make Banana Orange Bars

Prep

Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F. Then, grease a 9 x 13 jelly roll pan with non-stick cooking spray, set the pan aside.

Batter

Next, in a medium size mixing bowl, mash the bananas, then add in the sugar, oil, and eggs, mix until well blended.

Then, add in the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet mixture and stir to combine. Do not overmix the batter or else you will cause the glutens in the flour to develop which could result in dense or rubbery textured bars. Stir until just combined.

Bake

Proceed to pour the prepared batter into the greased 9×13 pan. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Test with a toothpick to ensure it is baked through. If you can insert a toothpick into the center of the “cake” and have it come out clean or with just a few crumbs, then it is fully cooked through.

Let the bread cool for 1 hour before frosting it. This will help to keep the frosting from melting and creating a mess.

Frosting

Start by creaming together the softened butter and powder sugar in a bowl with a whisk or electric mixer. Then, add in the orange juice and orange peel and mix until smooth.

Proceed to spread evenly over the cooled banana bars. If you want to sprinkle some additional orange peel on the top of the frosting that would make for extra delicious and pretty bars.

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Variations and Modifications for Banana Bars

There are several ways to modify and customize the Banana Orange Bars recipe to suit different tastes and preferences. Here are some ideas for variations:

• Add nuts: For a crunchy texture, add chopped nuts such as walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter. Mix them in with the dry ingredients before adding the wet ones.
• Swap the flour: If you want to make the recipe gluten-free, you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular flour.
• Make it vegan: To make the recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter, and use non-dairy milk such as almond or soy milk.
• Add spices: For extra flavor, you can add spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the batter. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to taste.

Remember to adjust the baking time and temperature accordingly if you make any significant changes to the recipe. With these modifications, you can create a variety of delicious Banana Orange Bars that are perfect for any occasion.

What is the recommended ripeness of bananas for baking?

The recommended ripeness of bananas for baking banana bars is when they are yellow with brown spots. This level of ripeness ensures that the bananas are sweet and flavorful, which will enhance the taste of the bars. Overly ripe bananas with brown or black skin should be avoided as they can make the bars too moist and mushy.

Are there any variations to the classic banana bars recipe?

Yes, there are several variations to the classic banana bars recipe that can add different flavors and textures to the bars. Some popular variations include adding chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the batter. Another variation is to substitute some of the flour with oats or almond flour to make the bars gluten-free. Additionally, some people like to add a cream cheese frosting on top of the bars for added sweetness. It is recommended to experiment with different variations to find the one that suits your taste preferences.

Storing and Serving Suggestions for Banana Bars

When it comes to storing banana orange bars, it’s best to keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days. For longer storage, they can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to three months. To freeze, wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container.

As for serving suggestions, these bars are delicious on their own, but can also be paired with a variety of toppings and accompaniments. Here are a few ideas:

• A dollop of whipped cream or whipped coconut cream
• A drizzle of caramel sauce or honey
• A sprinkle of chopped nuts or coconut flakes
• A side of fresh fruit, such as sliced strawberries or kiwi

No matter how you choose to serve them, these banana orange bars are sure to be a hit with anyone who tries them.

Freezer instructions for Banana Orange bars

These bars freeze beautifully and is a great way to get them to last longer without spoiling or to get them to last for an event if you are trying to make them in advance. After following along with the recipe and frosting the tops, I recommend cutting them into small 2-3 inch-sized squares and placing them in little baggies or individually wrapping them in plastic wrap before freezing.

Place the bars onto a baking sheet to freeze solid before wrapping in plastic wrap as this will make the process far less messy and way easier. After you’ve wrapped the bars, place them into an airtight container for up to 3 months. Now when you want to grab a treat, you already have them portioned and can grab as many as you want at once. This is also perfect for adding to lunch boxes because they thaw by lunchtime!

How can I ripen bananas quickly?

You can make your bananas turn ripe faster by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 30-40 minutes. Let them cool for 1 hour before use. If you have more time on your hands you can also place the bananas in a brown paper bag with an apple. Just close the bag up to seal the air inside and let it sit like this for about a day.

Here are some more ripe banana recipes to try soon!

• Peanut Butter Banana Bread
• Moist Banana Bread Recipe
• Gingersnap Banana Bread
• Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
• Creamy Banana Pecan Pie
• Banana Cream Fluff Salad
• Apple Banana Bread
• Strawberry Banana Bread with Lemon Glaze
• Banana Cream Pie
• Mango Banana Bread
• Apple Banana Bread
• Glazed Blueberry Banana Bars
• Zucchini Banana Bread
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
• Caramel Banana Cream Tiramisu

Banana Orange Bars a tasty sweet and delightful treat that everyone is sure to enjoy! The flavor combination in these orange banana bars makes for a wonderfully moist and appetizing snack.