Chocolate Chip Banana Bars Recipe

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are the perfect dessert for when you want to treat yourself to something easy, utterly delicious, and guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. Imagine the sweetness of ripe bananas, a buttery blondie base, and plenty of melty chocolate chips—all in one glorious, chewy bite!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of trusty pantry staples to whip up these chocolate chip banana bars! Each ingredient is important, lending flavor, structure, or that irresistible soft chew you can’t wait to sink your teeth into.

• Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds rich flavor and helps the bars stay tender, giving them their signature blondie texture.
• All Purpose Flour: This is the foundation for the bars, offering a sturdy but soft base that lets the other flavors shine.
• Baking Powder: Lifts the bars ever-so-slightly, creating a lovely, cakey crumb.
• Salt: Just a touch balances the sweetness and makes those chocolate chips really pop.
• Light Brown Sugar: Brings moistness and that irresistible butterscotch-y depth.
• Large Egg: Binds everything together while keeping the bars plush and satisfying.
• Mashed Bananas: Ripe bananas are the heart of this recipe—use spotted, squishy ones for the best flavor and sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and rounds out all the banana and chocolate notes.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: They melt into the bars for pockets of gooey chocolate in every bite—and look gorgeous sprinkled on top!

Variations

Part of the magic of Chocolate Chip Banana Bars is just how many delicious twists you can put on them. Whether you’re switching things up for allergies, dietary needs, or just a bit of fun, there’s a version for everyone.

• Gluten-Free: Swap in your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a treat everyone can enjoy.
• Nutty Crunch: Fold in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture and an earthy, classic flavor.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use a plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate chips—the bars will still come out rich and delicious.
• Extra Chocolatey: Drizzle melted chocolate or add white chocolate chips on top for a decadent twist.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (177°C). Take out an 8×8-inch (20 cm) baking pan and make lining it with parchment paper your first priority—it keeps the bars from sticking and makes lifting them out a breeze. Let the parchment hang over two sides for easy removal later!

Step 2: Melt & Cool the Butter

Pop the unsalted butter into a microwave-safe bowl and melt it (usually about 1 minute). Stir and heat again in 15-second bursts if needed. Be patient and let it cool for 10–15 minutes—warm butter blends beautifully with sugar, but hot butter could scramble your eggs!

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed, so every bite of your chocolate chip banana bars is just as light and perfect as the last.

Step 4: Whisk the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the cooled butter with your brown sugar until you’ve got a glossy, unified mixture. Then whisk in the egg, mashed bananas, and vanilla extract until everything’s nice and smooth. It may look curdled—that’s totally normal and it will come together soon!

Step 5: Combine & Fold in Chocolate Chips

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet in two additions (this helps avoid overmixing). Gently fold in most of your mini chocolate chips, but hold a few back to sprinkle on top for those gorgeous, bakery-style bars.

Step 6: Bake & Cool

Spoon your batter into the prepped pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Scatter the reserved chocolate chips over the surface. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until the sides are lightly golden and firm, and a toothpick poked into the center comes out mostly clean. Cool completely in the pan, then lift out using the parchment for perfect, neat slices!

How to Serve Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Garnishes

For truly show-stopping chocolate chip banana bars, sprinkle extra mini chocolate chips on as soon as they come out of the oven, or dust lightly with powdered sugar for a bakery-style flourish. A drizzle of melted chocolate or a dollop of whipped cream makes them fully dessert-worthy for special occasions!

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with a cold glass of milk, a creamy latte, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream when you want to go all out. For brunch, they’re delightful alongside fresh berries and a cup of coffee or hot tea.

Creative Ways to Present

Chocolate Chip Banana Bars cut into small squares make fantastic lunchbox treats or party bites. For gatherings, arrange them on a platter with a sprinkle of extra chocolate chips and a scattering of banana slices. Or, warm a bar and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a homemade banana split treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Your chocolate chip banana bars will keep soft and fresh for up to 3 or 4 days at room temperature. Just pop them into an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.

Freezing

These bars freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap individual bars or the whole batch tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw on the counter when a sweet craving strikes—no one will ever guess they weren’t made fresh that day.

Reheating

To bring your bars back to that just-baked gooeyness, warm individual squares in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Slightly melty chocolate chips and a warm banana aroma—absolute heaven!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for a reason to use up those ripe bananas, let these Chocolate Chip Banana Bars be your happy excuse! They’re so simple and satisfying—you’ll find yourself making them on repeat and sharing the joy with anyone who walks into your kitchen. Give them a try and enjoy every chewy, chocolatey bite!

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