Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
Banana Chocolate Chip Bars are moist, tender, and packed with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and gooey chocolate chips. This easy-to-make baked treat is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a snack, offering a soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate flavor that everyone will adore.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be made gluten free and/or dairy free with substitutions
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1 cup chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, or mixed)
- Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl until smooth to create a moist base.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the rising agents in the batter.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: To the mashed bananas, add the melted butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is smooth and creamy, adding moisture, sweetness, and warmth.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
- Add the Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips to distribute them evenly throughout the batter for a generous chocolatey flavor in every bite.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the bars to cool before slicing.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and moistness.
- Stir ingredients until just combined; avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Optionally chill the batter briefly for enhanced moisture and flavor melding.
- Test doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw batter.
- Freeze chocolate chips before adding to prevent sinking during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: banana bars, chocolate chip bars, banana dessert, easy baking, snack bars, moist banana bars, chocolate chip dessert