Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a simple & delicious ripe banana recipe that’s even better than banana bread! Great for breakfast, lunch and even dessert! Check out all the 5 star reviews- everyone raves about this easy banana recipe!
Best ripe banana recipe ever
This recipe for Chocolate Chip Banana Bars is my favorite banana recipe ever. Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a snack! They are delicious, filling, and your whole family will love them. I love that they have a ton of bananas in them. I like to bake a batch, cut them into squares and freeze them individually for when we’re on-the-go!
I’ve made these tasty treats for years and our family can’t get enough! They’re perfect for a snack, but I also like to eat them for breakfast. They’re chock full of bananas and I use whole wheat flour to make them more filling. I know the addition of cinnamon may seem a little different, but I encourage you to try it. It adds just a nice pop of flavor.
I’ve recently made a couple variations on this recipe! You’ve got to try our Double Chocolate Banana Bars as well as our Peanut Butter Banana Bars
How to make Healthy Banana Bars
There are several things you can swap out in this recipe to make them healthier. Here are some ideas:
–I use brown sugar instead of regular granulated sugar to add more sweetness with less sugar. That being said, you can decrease the sugar to 1/2 cup. Just make sure you’re using VERY ripe bananas to add sweetness there.
–You can replace half or all of the oil with applesauce. I’m more of a fan of using half coconut oil and half applesauce, personally.
–Use almond or cashew milk in place of regular milk
–Add in 2-3 TBSP of ground flax! No one will notice and it gives an added boost of fiber.
–Check out my double chocolate version of this recipe. I added cocoa powder and tons of ground spinach. No one can taste the difference and if you blend the spinach small enough (blending it with the coconut oil helps) you can’t see the difference either.
How can I ripen bananas quickly?
Ripe bananas are used in banana bread because they have a stronger, more pronounced flavor. There are several ways to help bananas ripen faster so that you can make banana bread. Here are my preferred methods:
- Ripen bananas in the oven. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bananas peel and all on the parchment and bake for 30-40 minutes, until peels are black & shiny. Let cool 1 hour and proceed with banana bread recipe.
- Ripen bananas in a paper bag. If you have more time, place bananas in a paper bag with an apple. Fold and secure closed. I usually leave bananas like this for a full day, then proceed with the Banana Nut Bread recipe.
Chocolate Chip Banana Recipe ingredients
Here’s what you need to make our Chocolate Chip Banana Bars:
–BANANAS: 5 very ripe bananas (about 1 2/3 cup) – yes, you can use frozen bananas! Once you’re ready to use the frozen bananas, thaw them out slightly, then peel them and place the bananas in a bowl. Once they’re fully thawed, drain out the liquid and proceed with the recipe.
–SUGAR: You’ll use just 3/4 cup brown sugar. I opted to use brown sugar in place of white sugar as it’s sweeter due to the addition of molasses. Adds great flavor too!
–OIL: You need 1/4 cup oil for the banana bars. Canola, vegetable or coconut oil work the best.
–MILK: We add 1/4 cup milk for moisture. I most often use almond milk, but any type of milk except soy milk works well. (I find soy milk doesn’t bake well!)
–EGGS: You need 2 eggs for this recipe.
–DRY INGREDIENTS: You’ll need 1 3/4 cup flour. I regularly swap out all-purpose flour for whole wheat! You’ll also need 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp cinnamon for flavor and leavening.
–CHOCOLATE: We added 1 cup mini chocolate chips to the recipe in 2 parts. You’ll mix half into the batter and the other half you’ll sprinkle on top before baking. Adds just the right amount of sweetness!
How to make Chocolate Chip Banana Dessert Bars
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 15×10.5″ pan with non-stick spray.
Peel bananas and mash well. Stir in brown sugar, oil, milk and eggs until combined.
Add in dry ingredients and stir. Fold in 1/2 the chocolate chips.
Spread the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle remaining chips on top. Bake 18-22 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool completely and cut into squares.
Yields 24 bars.
I like to make a batch, then cool, cut and freeze in individual baggies. Since they’re filling, they make a wonderful snack, breakfast or school lunch addition.
CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BARS
Ingredients
- 5 very ripe bananas about 1 2/3 cup
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup oil any type- I use coconut
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 eggs
- 1 ¾ cup flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips divided
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 15×10.5" pan with non-stick spray and set aside.
- Peel bananas and mash well. Stir in brown sugar, oil, milk and eggs until combined. Add in dry ingredients and stir. Fold in 1/2 the chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle remaining chips on top.
- Bake 18-22 minutes, until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely and cut into squares. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Have more ripe bananas? Here are our favorite RIPE BANANA RECIPES:
- Banana Cream Cookies
- Banana Split Milkshakes
- Chocolate Chip Banana Cake
- Banana Cinnamon Coffee Cake
- Nutella Banana Muffins
- CAST IRON BANANA BREAD
- STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE BANANA BREAD
- BANANA ORANGE BARS
- PINEAPPLE BANANA BREAD
- PEANUT BUTTER BANANA BUNDT CAKE
- SOUR CREAM BANANA BREAD
- STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE BANANA BREAD
Can you use frozen bananas in banana bars?
A lot of people freeze overripe bananas to use them later on in banana bars. It’s a simple way to amass a collection of ripe bananas to use in this recipe. you don’t even have to peel the bananas prior to freezing! Once you’re ready to use them in this banana bars recipe, thaw them out slightly, then peel them and place the bananas in a bowl. Once they’re fully thawed, drain out the liquid and proceed with the recipe.
Can you freeze Chocolate Chip Banana Bars?
Yes! I freeze these banana bars often! My favorite way to freeze them is to cut them into 2″-3″ squares and place in a small baggie. Place all of the individual baggies in a larger ziplock bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Then you have individual servings of chocolate chip banana bars that are perfect for an on-the-go snack or school lunch! You can also freeze a half pan of these banana bars. Instead of baking in a 10×15 pan, bake them in 2 quarter bakers sheets or 9×13 pans. Simply cool fully, then cover with plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 weeks.
Are banana bars gluten free?
My traditional recipe for chocolate chip banana bars does contain gluten, however you can substitute a gluten-free flour blend or use almond flour instead. If you swap out regular flour with almond flour, just add a rounded teaspoon of baking soda instead.
Fantastic baked banana bar recipe for when you have ripe bananas that need to be used up! Perfectly spiced with a bit of cinnamon & studded with chocolate chips, these banana bars are amazing!
Mendee says
Absolutely delicious! Thank you for the recipe my family loves them and so do I!
Nicole says
Has anyone tried with almond flour?
Dee says
I intend to make the recipe with dairy free chips as well as almond milk. Has anyone tried that in the recipe? It sounds very good and a good way to use up bananas too!
Jessica says
I make it with almond milk all the time Dee! Enjoy!
patty says
sounds really good, with the brown sugar, will be trying this one.
Jessica says
Thanks Patty!!
Melodie Freund says
I have not made these yet but they look delicious. I am definitely going to take them to Easter to have the extended family try them.
Jessica says
Great idea Melodie!
Michelle Madden says
I have made this recipe many times. My friends and family love it. I have added a table spoon of grandma’s Molasses and less sugar to the wet ingredients and the flavor is amazing. Great for party dessert.
Nicole says
That sounds wonderful! So glad you enjoy this recipe! 🙂
Pam Ferrell says
I plan on making it tomorrow. It sounds very easy, just my style! Sounds yummy!
Jessica says
Thanks so much Pam!
Becky says
I usually make banana muffins
Jessica says
Love banana muffins! Thanks Becky!
Tanna Thigpen says
These are a favorite of my family! I tried the recipe two years ago and have made it several times since then. I took 90 bars to put on our coffee bar at church, and there were only two left. They’re amazing! Thanks so much for posting this recipe!
Alison says
I love when that happens! Thanks so much Tanna!
Ashley Kimbrough says
These look delicious. I can’t wait to make them.
Jessica says
THanks Ashley!
Caryn says
I usually like to use my ripe bananas to make banana chocolate chip cookies, but these look like another delicious choice! Your options to ripen bananas were helpful too- I hadn’t even thought of that before! So now I can make this without having to wait for bananas to ripen!
Jessica says
Thanks so much Caryn! WE LOVE banana chocolate chip cookies too!
Dinna says
I like to use ripe bananas to make banana muffins!!
Jessica says
Thanks Dinna! YUM!!
Shannon Gray says
I like to use my ripe bananas by making banana muffins
Jessica says
THanks so much Shannon!
Loretta Cyr says
My favorite ripe banana recipe is banana pancakes–quick and easy 2 ingredient
Jessica says
Do you use the recipe with cottage cheese?? We love that one! Here’s another we love- https://butterwithasideofbread.com/the-biggest-loser-pancakes/
Audra says
This has become my grand children’s most requested thing for Gigi to make them! Absolutely cannot go wrong with cholate chips and bananas!! Thank you for this amazing recipe!!
Jessica says
Thanks so much Audra! I agree!
Nzubechi Chinelo says
This is so tantalizing
Jessica says
thank you!!
Sandra says
I made these this morning with my 4 year old granddaughter! They are delicious! The cinnamon gives it a fun flavor and makes the house smell fabulous! We definitely will make these again!
Jessica says
So glad to hear Sandra! Thank you!
Katie says
Can I make this in a 13×9, I don’t have anything larger such as the recommended 15×10.
I’m so excited to make these.
Nicole says
You can bake them in the 9×13 baking dish but the bars will be thicker and require a few extra minutes of baking time
Dorothy says
Is it 1-2/3 cup of banana already mashed?
Nicole says
Yes, bananas are measured already mashed, so you’ll mash the bananas and place them into the measuring cups to measure out 1 2/3 cups worth
Darlene says
Hi. I love all of your recipes! I haven’t made this one but when I have some ripe bananas, I will! Thank you, ladies. <3
Nicole says
Thanks so much. fun tip- you can ripen bananas faster by baking them in the oven or placing them in a brown paper bag. Then you wont have to wait so long to try these treats 🙂
Tara says
We just made these with gluten free flour (Bob’s Red Mill 1 to 1), they’re not even cooled yet and the first row is already gone. My family can’t stay away from them, they’re absolutely delicious, thanks for sharing!
Alison says
Love this! Thanks for sharing Tara!
Bre says
Can I use a glass Pyrex dish to make these?
Nicole says
Yes. Just keep an eye on the bars as they bake because the bake time may change as a result.