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- 2 ripe bananas, mashed - 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce - 1/3 cup packed brown sugar - 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon - 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional) The key to making chewy chocolate chip banana bars lies in the right ingredients. You need ripe bananas for natural sweetness. Applesauce adds moisture without fat. Brown sugar gives a rich taste. Honey or maple syrup brings a lovely flavor. Make sure to use pure vanilla extract for that warm aroma. Baking soda acts as a leavening agent, keeping the bars fluffy. Sea salt enhances all the flavors. Ground cinnamon adds warmth and spice. Whole wheat flour gives a hearty base. Finally, semi-sweet chocolate chips bring joy. If you love nuts, add walnuts for crunch. These ingredients work together to create a sweet treat you will love. {{ingredient_image_2}} - Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). - Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan lightly with oil or butter, or line it with parchment paper. First, you want to make sure your oven is nice and hot. Preheating helps the bars bake evenly. Greasing the pan or using parchment paper makes it easy to lift the bars out later. - Combine mashed bananas, applesauce, brown sugar, honey or syrup, and vanilla. In a big bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Then, add the applesauce, brown sugar, honey or syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix these with a fork or whisk until everything is well blended. This mixture provides sweetness and moisture to the bars. - Add baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon to the wet mixture. - Gradually mix in whole wheat flour and fold in chocolate chips and walnuts. Now, sprinkle the baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon over your banana mix. Stir gently to combine. Next, slowly add the whole wheat flour. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix until just combined. It’s key not to overmix here. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts, if you like. This adds crunch and extra flavor. - Pour the batter into the pan and spread evenly. - Bake for 25-30 minutes and check for doneness. Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. To check if they are done, insert a toothpick into the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. - Allow to cool and cut into squares for serving. Once baked, take the pan out and let it cool for about 10 minutes. If you used parchment paper, lift the bars out carefully. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, cut them into squares. Enjoy these chewy treats with a cup of tea or coffee! To keep your bars chewy, do not overmix the batter. When you mix the flour in, do it gently. Stir just until you see no dry flour. Overmixing can make the bars tough. You want them soft and chewy, not dense. You can add extra flavor to your bars with spices. Try a pinch of nutmeg or a bit of ginger for warmth. You could also add a tablespoon of cocoa powder for a rich taste. If you love nuts, add more walnuts or try pecans. These add crunch and flavor. For a beautiful finish, cut the bars into even squares. Arrange them on a bright platter. Drizzle melted chocolate over the top for a fancy touch. Serve with a cup of tea or coffee. This makes for a delightful snack or dessert that looks as good as it tastes. Pro Tips Use Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be. Look for bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best results. Adjust Sweetness: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup based on your personal preference for sweetness, especially if your bananas are very ripe. Experiment with Mix-ins: Try adding different mix-ins like dried fruits, coconut flakes, or even peanut butter for a unique twist on the classic recipe. Storage Tips: Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week to maintain their chewiness. {{image_4}} You can easily adjust this recipe for different diets. If you need a gluten-free option, swap the whole wheat flour for almond flour or coconut flour. Both options work well and still keep the bars chewy. If you want to make these bars vegan, replace the honey with maple syrup. For the eggs, you can use a flax egg. Just mix one tablespoon of ground flaxseed with three tablespoons of water and let it sit for a few minutes. Feel free to get creative with add-ins! You can add different nuts like pecans or almonds for a nice crunch. Dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins also add a sweet touch. If you like a bit of spice, try adding chopped fresh ginger or a dash of nutmeg for extra flavor. If you prefer, you can switch the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate or white chocolate chips. Dark chocolate gives a richer taste, while white chocolate adds a sweet creaminess. Both options make for a tasty twist on the classic recipe! To store your Chewy Chocolate Chip Banana Bars at room temperature, first let them cool completely. Once cool, cut the bars into squares. Place them in an airtight container. This helps keep them soft and fresh. You can also add parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep the container in a cool, dry spot. If you want to save bars for later, refrigerate or freeze them. For refrigeration, place the bars in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to a week. For freezing, wrap each bar in plastic wrap. Then put them in a freezer-safe bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When ready to eat, just thaw them at room temperature. The shelf life of these bars is great! At room temperature, they stay fresh for about four days. When refrigerated, they can last up to a week. If frozen, they can keep their taste for about three months. Always check for signs of spoilage before eating, like an off smell or change in texture. Enjoy your delicious treats! You can make these bars healthier by cutting down on sugar. Use less brown sugar or honey. You can also swap in a sugar substitute like stevia. Adding protein is easy too! Mix in some protein powder or Greek yogurt. This boosts the nutrition without changing the taste much. Yes, you can use other flours like almond or oat flour. Each flour gives a different texture. Almond flour makes the bars moist and dense. Oat flour can make them a bit crumbly. Experiment to find what you like best! If your bars turn out dry, try adding more wet ingredients. A splash of milk or an extra mashed banana can help. You can also mix in some yogurt for creaminess. Adjusting baking time can also help keep them moist. To check if your bars are done, insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The edges will look set and slightly golden. If the center wobbles, give it a few more minutes. These banana chocolate bars are easy to make and taste great. We mixed ripe bananas, applesauce, and spices for flavor. Remember to avoid overmixing to keep a chewy texture. You can also modify the recipe for dietary needs or personal taste. Store leftovers at room temperature or freeze them for later. Enjoy your baking and the tasty treats you create!

Chewy Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Deliciously chewy bars made with ripe bananas and chocolate chips, perfect for a snack or dessert.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 whole ripe bananas, mashed
  • 0.5 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 0.33 cup packed brown sugar
  • 0.25 cup honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1.5 cups whole wheat flour
  • 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 0.25 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan lightly with oil or butter, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars after baking.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed ripe bananas, unsweetened applesauce, packed brown sugar, honey or maple syrup, and pure vanilla extract. Use a fork or whisk to mix until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
  • Evenly sprinkle the baking soda, sea salt, and ground cinnamon over the wet banana mixture. Stir gently to ensure all the dry ingredients are incorporated into the batter.
  • Gradually add in the whole wheat flour, mixing gently with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a chewy texture.
  • Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped walnuts (if using) until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread the batter evenly, reaching the corners of the pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  • Once baked, allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully lift them out using the parchment paper if used, and place them on a wire rack to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

For a delightful presentation, cut the bars into squares and arrange them on a vibrant platter. Drizzle a little melted chocolate over the top for an enticing finish.
Keyword banana bars, chocolate chip, healthy dessert