Banana Bars made with the addition of chocolate chips and peanut butter are a healthier spin on this classic treat. Made without the addition of oil and naturally sweetened, these Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Banana Bars are soft, chewy, and the perfect combination of banana, peanut butter, and chocolate!
Not only are these Banana Bars super easy to make, but they also can be made with whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, or gluten-free flour and can be made egg and dairy-free. These bars are kid-friendly treat that everyone can enjoy!
Banana Bars are one of my favorite treats because they are filled with 3 of my favorite ingredients–peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate. Truly a magical combination.
They are soft, fluffy, and made in one pan, with only 5 minutes of prep-work and common pantry staples.
If that is not reason enough to love these bars, they also are on the healthier side when it comes to desserts.
Peanut butter takes the place of oil. Instead of refined sugar, these bars are sweetened with honey and the natural sweetness of bananas. They also are made with whole-grain flour.
Basically, these bars are my definition of perfection–easy to make, wholesome, and downright delicious!
Key Ingredients
- Bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter these bars will end up being. I love to use really brown bananas that are well past their prime.
- Flour: I have made these bars with Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, whole white wheat flour, AND regular all-purpose flour, and the results are phenomenal using any variety.
- Honey: Instead of being filled with refined sugar, these banana bars only need a bit of honey added to bring out the sweetness of the bananas. Feel free to use maple syrup in place of the honey, keeping in mind that honey is milder in taste than maple syrup.
- Peanut Butter: Not only is peanut butter a perfect pairing with bananas in terms of flavor, but it also stands in for oil or butter and provides a healthier source of fat that keeps these bars moist and rich. Feel free to use almond butter in place of the peanut butter if you have a peanut allergy.
- Chocolate Chips: If you have a dairy allergy, use dairy-free chocolate chips, or omit chocolate chips.
- Walnuts: The walnuts are totally optional. They add crunch and texture but can be omitted without any significant change to the final banana bar.
How to Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
- Prepare an 8×8 square baking pan by lining with parchment paper or greasing well so the banana bars will not stick to the pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift or whisk together the flour with baking soda and salt to combine evenly. You want to be sure to really distribute the baking soda to prevent any clumps in your dough.
- Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if using. By mixing into the dry ingredients, the flour will coat the chocolate chips and walnuts which helps to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the bars when baking.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the peanut butter with the honey, egg, and vanilla. Pro-Tip: If your peanut butter is thick and hard to mix, heat for 30 seconds in the microwave and then before adding the other wet ingredients.
- Add the banana mixture into the flour and fold together the batter until just combined. Be sure to only just mix these bars until just combined to keep them from being tough.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake until a toothpick inserted inside comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes of a cooling rack and then carefully remove the bars, using the parchment paper to cool completely before slicing into bars. Note, if you just greased your pan instead of using parchment paper, do not try to remove the bars from the pan, just cool for 20 minutes before slicing.
More Delicious Banana Recipes
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Homemade Banana Pudding
- Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Sushi
- Gluten-Free Banana Oat Pancakes
Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, or just looking for a wholesome snack, I have a feeling you will LOVE these Peanut Butter Banana Bars and I would love for you to drop a comment letting me know what you thought!
Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour see note
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts optional
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 bananas mashed
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper or grease well.
- Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together peanut butter, honey, bannas, egg, and vanilla until well combined. Pro-Tip: If your peanut butter is thick and hard to mix, heat for 30 seconds in the microwave before adding to the wet ingredients.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients together until just combined and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. DO NOT overmix the batter.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread out evenly.
- Bake for 17-20 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the banana bars on a cooling rack for 10 minutes and then carefully remove the parchment paper from the pan to cool the bars completely. Slice into 12 bars and serve. Note, if you just greased your pan instead of using parchment paper, do not try to remove the bars from the pan, just cool for 20 minutes before slicing.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- Flour: Use either Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour, whole white wheat flour, or regular all-purpose flour--all produce delicious results.
- Feel free to use maple syrup in place of the honey, keeping in mind that honey is milder in taste than maple syrup.
- To keep these bars egg-free, mix together 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water and let sit for 5 minutes. Use in place of the egg.
- To make dairy-free, use dairy-free chocolate chips, or omit chocolate chips.
- Feel free to use almond butter in place of the peanut butter.
- Banana Bars are best served within 3 days of baking and should be refrigerated after 24 hours to keep fresh.
These were cakey-ish and delicious. They had a great PB flavor. I used crunchy PB and instead of the nuts, used 1/4 c PB chips. Mine took 30 minutes to bake through
I am glad you enjoyed Lynda! The increase in baking time probably had to do with the added peanut butter, but thank you for noting that.
Bananas and peanut butter are perfect match every time so what a tasty treat this is! Lov e that I can make this gluten-free as well! Yay!
So glad you enjoyed Abigail.
Banana and chocolate are a match made in flavor heaven. Made these for a neighbors birthday (we did a dessert drop off parade) and they really enjoyed them!
How fun! So glad you enjoyed.