Description
Delicious and wholesome Chocolate Chip Banana Bars made with ripe bananas, peanut butter, and rolled oats. These bars offer a perfect balance of natural sweetness and chocolatey goodness, baked to golden perfection. Ideal as a healthy snack or breakfast on the go.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking pan to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly. Add the peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, mixing well until smooth and combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the rolled oats, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into the wet mixture. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated, forming a thick batter.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips to evenly distribute the chocolate throughout the batter without overmixing.
- Transfer Batter to Pan: Pour the prepared batter into the greased baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula for uniform thickness.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown on top and set in the center. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, slice into 12 even bars and serve or store for later enjoyment.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
- Peanut butter can be substituted with almond or cashew butter for a different flavor.
- Maple syrup adds natural sweetness; honey can be used as an alternative.
- For a vegan option, ensure chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freeze individual bars for up to 3 months, thaw before serving.
