Description
These Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a deliciously moist and sweet treat, combining ripe bananas with melty chocolate chips in a simple, easy-to-make batter. Perfect for a snack or dessert, they offer a comforting banana flavor with a delightful chocolate twist baked into tender bars.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until thoroughly combined, then set aside.
- Mash Bananas and Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in the melted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is well combined.
- Add Vanilla and Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Stir in the vanilla extract. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet banana mixture, mixing gently just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can make bars tough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly without over-mixing.
- Bake the Bars: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool completely in the dish before cutting into 12 squares for serving. This cooling step helps the bars set properly for easy slicing.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and moisture.
- Do not over-mix the batter to keep the bars tender and soft.
- You can substitute dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips depending on your preference.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For a nuttier flavor, feel free to add chopped walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.
