Description
These delicious Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a moist and flavorful treat, combining ripe bananas with melted butter and rich semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect as a snack or dessert, these bars are easy to make and bake to a golden perfection with a soft, chewy texture and sweet bursts of chocolate.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
- Optional: 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and mix until all ingredients are well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour until evenly blended to ensure even distribution throughout the batter.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet banana mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender. Then fold in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared 9×9-inch baking pan and spread it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the bars are fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, slice them into squares and serve as a delicious snack or dessert.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best sweetness and flavor.
- You can substitute chocolate chips with white chocolate or butterscotch chips if preferred.
- For a nut-free version, simply omit the nuts.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: banana bars, chocolate chip bars, banana dessert, easy baking recipe, chocolate banana bars, snack bars, homemade dessert
