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Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
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Banana Chocolate Chip Bars are moist, tender, and bursting with natural banana sweetness paired with melty chocolate chips. Easy to make with simple pantry ingredients, these bars are perfect for snacks, lunchboxes, or a comforting dessert. With a soft texture and rich flavor, they are great for any occasion and customizable with various add-ins or substitutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 3 to 4 ripe bananas (overripe with brown spots)
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup melted butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (any variety: semi-sweet, white, peanut butter, or butterscotch)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth but slightly chunky for texture.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: Add melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and beaten egg to the mashed bananas. Stir well until evenly combined.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
  5. Blend Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.
  6. Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan. Lift them out using the parchment paper and cut into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

  • Use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots for maximum sweetness and moisture.
  • Gently stir the batter to avoid tough, dense bars caused by overmixing.
  • Check your oven temperature with a thermometer to ensure even baking and prevent drying out.
  • Bring eggs and butter to room temperature before mixing for smoother blending.
  • Add extra chocolate chips on top before baking for an appealing presentation.
  • To make the recipe gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • You can substitute melted butter with coconut oil or a neutral vegetable oil to keep bars moist.
  • Feel free to add chopped nuts, oats, cinnamon, or alternative chips to customize the bars.

Nutrition

Keywords: banana bars, chocolate chip bars, banana chocolate chip bars, moist banana dessert, easy snack bars, gluten-free banana bars, homemade banana bars

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/banana-chocolate-chip-bars/