If you’re searching for a dreamy treat that’s equal parts cozy, craveable, and quick to whip up, you’ll be head over heels for these Chocolate Chip Banana Bars. Imagine all the comfort of banana bread made portable and even more indulgent with puddles of melty chocolate in every bite. This family-approved dessert is soft, perfectly sweet, and loaded with that amazing banana-chocolate flavor combination that never goes out of style. Whether you’re baking for a weekend treat, packing school snacks, or sharing with friends, these bars are the chewy, chocolatey pick-me-up you didn’t know you needed.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Chocolate Chip Banana Bars only require a handful of classic kitchen staples, yet each ingredient has a real role to play. From lending moisture and fluffiness to layering flavors together, every component contributes to the delicious outcome.
- Bananas (2, ripe and mashed): The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more intense the banana flavor in each bar.
- Unsalted Butter (½ cup, melted): Adds richness, moisture, and creates that tender crumb everyone loves.
- Brown Sugar (¾ cup, packed): Brings deep sweetness with a lovely caramel undertone and helps keep the bars extra soft.
- Egg (1 large): Binds everything together and adds structure so your bars hold up.
- Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Rounds out the flavors and adds classic bakery-style aroma.
- All-Purpose Flour (1 cup): The foundation for structure; measure carefully for bars that are perfectly tender.
- Baking Soda (½ teaspoon): A key leavener so the bars bake up light rather than dense.
- Salt (¼ teaspoon): Wakes up all the sweet flavors and keeps things balanced.
- Ground Cinnamon (½ teaspoon): Just a hint to complement the banana and add cozy warmth.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (¾ cup): The star mix-in for gooey, chocolate-studded goodness in every bite.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and get your 8×8-inch baking pan ready. Greasing it thoroughly or lining it with parchment paper will guarantee that those gorgeous bars come out easily, without any sticking or mess.
Step 2: Combine Wet Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and blend the mashed bananas, melted butter, packed brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together. Don’t be shy—stir until the mixture is lovely and smooth, as this will form the moist backbone of the bars.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. This quick extra step ensures those essential dry ingredients are evenly distributed, giving your bars a perfect rise and even flavor.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet banana batter. Gently stir just until there are no streaks of flour left—careful not to overmix or you’ll lose out on that soft texture.
Step 5: Fold in the Chocolate Chips
Now comes the fun part! Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them so that every bar will have glorious pockets of chocolate.
Step 6: Bake and Cool
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth it out evenly. Slide it into the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the surface is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Resist the urge to cut into them immediately—let the bars cool completely for the cleanest slices and best texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
Garnishes
Dress up your Chocolate Chip Banana Bars with a dusting of powdered sugar, a light drizzle of melted chocolate, or a sprinkle of extra chocolate chips on top for that bakery-worthy finish.
Side Dishes
For extra flair, serve the bars alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or even with a handful of fresh berries—the contrast in temperature and flavors is absolutely delightful.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the bars on a platter for a fun hand-held dessert display, wrap them individually as party favors, or cut them into mini-bites for a sweet addition to lunchboxes and potlucks.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chocolate Chip Banana Bars keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days; they stay remarkably soft and tender, which makes them ideal for make-ahead snacking.
Freezing
If you’d like to stock up for later, wrap the cooled bars tightly and freeze them for up to two months. They’ll thaw quickly at room temperature, making spontaneous cravings easy to satisfy.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10–15 seconds. The chocolate turns perfectly melty again and the bar tastes as if it was just baked!
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for Chocolate Chip Banana Bars?
Absolutely! Thaw frozen ripe bananas and drain off excess liquid before using. They’re a great way to reduce food waste and add extra moisture to the bars.
How do I make these bars gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder for the best texture.
Are there any healthy substitutions I can try?
You can lighten up the bars by replacing half the butter with applesauce or using coconut sugar instead of brown sugar, though it will slightly alter the flavor and texture.
Can I add nuts to the recipe?
Definitely! Stir in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for a delicious crunch that pairs perfectly with the soft banana and melty chocolate.
What’s the best way to double the recipe?
If you’re baking for a crowd, double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Start checking for doneness after 30 minutes, but total time may be closer to 35–40 minutes.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to wow your friends, treat yourself, or finally use up those speckled bananas on the counter, Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are the answer every time. Give this simple recipe a try—you just may discover your new favorite way to enjoy banana bread and brownies in one irresistible bite!
Print
Chocolate Chip Banana Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 9 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these moist and flavorful Chocolate Chip Banana Bars that are perfect for using up ripe bananas. These bars are easy to make and a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth with a hint of cinnamon and loads of chocolate chips.
Ingredients
For the Banana Bars:
- 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ¾ cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, combine mashed bananas, melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth.
- Prepare dry ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
- Combine ingredients: Gradually add dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.
- Bake: Spread the batter in the pan and bake for 25–30 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool and serve: Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.
Notes
- For a cakier texture, use 1 ¼ cups flour.
- You can add chopped walnuts or dark chocolate chips for variation.
- Bars can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
