The rich aroma of ripe bananas combined with pockets of gooey chocolate chips make these Banana Bread Bars an irresistible treat. Whether you’re baking for your family or prepping a week’s worth of wholesome snacks, this recipe is sure to satisfy both sweet cravings and nutritional goals.
Moist, soft, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup and banana, these bars are a perfect alternative to overly sugary desserts. They are simple to make, freezer-friendly, and incredibly versatile—you can enjoy them as breakfast, dessert, or an afternoon snack. One bite and you’ll understand why this is a go-to banana bake!
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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3 ripe bananas, mashed
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1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
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1/4 cup maple syrup
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1/4 cup brown sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 egg
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1 cup white whole wheat flour
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1/2 teaspoon baking soda
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
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1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Directions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease.
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In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas, melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and egg. Mix until smooth.
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Add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon to the bowl. Stir until just combined.
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Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
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Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
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Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Allow to cool before slicing into bars.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 9 bars
Why Banana Bread Bars Are the Perfect Snack or Treat
Banana bread has long been a beloved classic, but turning it into easy-to-serve bars makes it even more versatile. Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars bring together the nostalgic comfort of traditional banana bread and the indulgent touch of melty chocolate chips in a compact, snackable form. These bars are moist, soft, and lightly sweetened using natural ingredients, making them suitable for any time of day—from breakfast and snack time to dessert.
Unlike traditional banana bread loaves, which require slicing and sometimes longer baking times, banana bread bars are quick to whip up and portion out. You get all the flavor of homemade banana bread with a soft and cake-like texture, elevated by the addition of chocolate chips that melt into every bite. The result is an easy, family-friendly recipe that’s satisfying and just the right amount of sweet.
The Nutritional Balance and Healthier Sweetening Options
One of the reasons Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars stand out is the balance between indulgence and health. These bars utilize ripe bananas and a touch of maple syrup for natural sweetness, reducing the need for refined sugar. When you use overripe bananas, they not only intensify the flavor but also add natural moisture to the batter, eliminating the need for excess fats or oils.
Using white whole wheat flour boosts the nutritional profile by adding more fiber and nutrients than traditional all-purpose flour, without compromising texture or taste. The result is a dessert that feels indulgent but doesn’t weigh you down—perfect for health-conscious bakers who still want to enjoy a sweet treat. You can even make them dairy-free by substituting the butter with coconut oil or a plant-based alternative.
Chocolate Chips: Not Just for Flavor, But for Texture and Joy
Let’s be honest—chocolate chips are the star in many baked goods. In this recipe, they do more than just provide bursts of chocolate flavor; they enhance the texture by creating gooey pockets that contrast beautifully with the soft, cake-like crumb of the banana base. Mini chocolate chips work especially well in bars, as they distribute more evenly throughout the batter, ensuring that every bite has a little bit of chocolate magic.
You can also experiment with different types of chocolate—dark, semi-sweet, or even white chocolate—for a flavor variation. Some bakers even like to add chopped nuts, dried fruit, or coconut flakes to further enhance the flavor profile and texture of the bars. These small additions allow you to make the recipe your own without altering the core baking method.
Perfect for Meal Prepping, School Lunches, and More
Because they’re individually portioned and hold their shape well, these banana bread bars are perfect for meal prepping or packing in lunchboxes. You can make a batch at the beginning of the week and store them in an airtight container for quick grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks.
They’re also freezer-friendly. Just wrap them tightly in plastic or place them in a ziplock bag and freeze. When you’re ready to enjoy one, let it thaw at room temperature for 30–60 minutes or microwave for a few seconds for that fresh-baked texture. This makes them ideal for busy families, college students, or anyone who wants a wholesome snack ready at all times.
A Family-Friendly Recipe That’s Easy to Make Together
One of the best parts of this recipe is how easy it is to make, even for beginner bakers. It’s a wonderful way to get kids involved in the kitchen—mashing bananas, stirring the batter, and sprinkling chocolate chips are all fun and safe tasks for children. Plus, the ingredient list is simple and doesn’t require any specialized tools or hard-to-find items.
Because the bars bake in a single pan and cut cleanly into squares, there’s minimal cleanup and no need for additional frosting or toppings. It’s a no-fuss recipe that delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results. Whether you’re baking for a playdate, a potluck, or just a cozy weekend treat, these banana bars check all the boxes.
Versatile and Customizable for All Tastes
What makes Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars truly shine is their adaptability. You can easily modify the recipe to suit dietary needs or flavor preferences. Need a gluten-free version? Swap in a one-to-one gluten-free flour blend. Want something lower in sugar? Reduce the maple syrup and add a few extra mashed bananas for moisture.
Add-ins like chopped walnuts, pecans, or shredded coconut can bring new dimensions to the recipe, making it suitable for holidays, brunches, or even gifting. For those who love spice, a pinch of nutmeg or ginger can pair beautifully with the cinnamon already in the mix. And if you’re avoiding eggs, this recipe adapts well to flaxseed egg or other plant-based egg replacements.
Ideal for All Occasions and Every Season
These bars are great year-round. In the colder months, they bring cozy comfort, especially when served warm with a cup of tea or hot cocoa. During spring and summer, their portability makes them ideal for picnics, outdoor gatherings, or road trips. They’re a great middle ground between a snack and a dessert, making them flexible for everything from mid-morning coffee breaks to evening sweet cravings.
Even better, they’re a great way to use up ripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste. Instead of tossing those spotty bananas, you can turn them into something wholesome, shareable, and absolutely delicious.
Tips for the Perfect Banana Bread Bars Every Time
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Use overripe bananas: The riper, the better—look for bananas with lots of brown spots. They’ll be sweeter and provide better moisture.
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Don’t overmix the batter: Mix until the ingredients are just combined to keep the bars soft and fluffy.
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Let them cool before slicing: These bars cut best when they’ve cooled completely, preventing crumbling.
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Store properly: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Conclusion: A Wholesome, Delicious Recipe You’ll Make Again and Again
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars are more than just a sweet treat—they’re a practical, nourishing, and utterly delicious way to enjoy classic banana bread in a more modern form. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a batch of bars that are flavorful, tender, and dotted with melty chocolate chips in every bite.
Whether you’re looking for an easy recipe to bake with your kids, something to fill lunchboxes, or a healthier snack to have on hand, these bars are a go-to. Their soft, moist texture and just-right sweetness make them universally loved. Once you make them, you’ll see why this recipe is worth keeping in your regular baking rotation.
These bars are not only a solution to your overripe banana dilemma but also a satisfying answer to your sweet tooth—guilt-free, naturally sweetened, and delightfully shareable.