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Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

These chocolate chip banana bars are a quick and easy treat that transforms overripe bananas into something delicious and loved by all, perfect for lunchboxes or as a dessert.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 12 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 3 pieces ripe bananas the riper, the sweeter (speckled or mostly brown)
  • 1/3 cup melted butter unsalted preferred
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar brown sugar gives a caramel note; use granulated in a pinch
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips mini chips spread more evenly; dark, milk, or semi-sweet all work

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9-inch pan or line it with parchment for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until mostly smooth — a few small lumps are fine.
  3. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is uniform.
  4. Add the baking soda and a pinch of salt; mix briefly to combine.
  5. Stir in the sugar, then beat in the egg and vanilla until the batter is glossy.
  6. Sprinkle the flour over the wet ingredients and fold gently with a spatula until there are no dry streaks. Don’t overmix or the bars will be tough.
  7. Fold in the chocolate chips evenly.
Baking
  1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  2. Bake for 20–25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. They’re done when the top is golden and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
  3. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then lift out with the parchment and cut into bars.

Notes

For dairy-free, swap the butter for melted coconut oil 1:1. Use 3/4 cup packed brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor. To make them gluten-free, replace the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.