Healthier Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars

Sweet bananas & gooey chocolate chips come together to make these healthy yet indulgent banana bread bars! They’re soft, sweet and so easy to make. (Plus a great way to use up those spotty bananas!)

If your kitchen counter always has some spotty bananas hanging around, you’re in the right place. These healthy banana bread bars are the perfect way to use them up! They’re soft, moist and loaded with chocolate chips. Plus full of that classic banana bread flavor we all know and love.

These banana bars are made with simple wholesome ingredients that come together in one bowl making them perfect for a quick treat. (Breakfast, snacking, a better-for-you dessert – you name it, they’re soo good!) Each bite is full of warm hints of cinnamon with just the right amount of sweetness.

Whether you’re looking for a healthy banana snack or just a way to use your overripe bananas, these homemade banana bars are a crowd pleasing treat the entire family will love!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bananas: Use very ripe bananas for the best results. They’re naturally sweeter, easier to mash and give these bars their irresistible soft texture.

Coconut sugar: Adds a warm caramel-like sweetness while keeping these bars more wholesome than using refined sugar. (Brown sugar can be used as a replacement.)

Almond butter: Brings healthy fats and a slightly nutty flavor to the bars. (I usually warm mine in the microwave to make it easier to stir.)

Flour: I use all purpose flour for mine. This gives structure to the bars while keeping them soft and fluffy.

Eggs: Helps to bind all the ingredients together.

Vanilla: Enhances all the flavors and adds a cozy bakery-style aroma.

Baking soda: Provides a little lift so your bars bake up light and fluffy.

Chocolate chips: Banana bread + melty chocolate = perfection. Use as little or as much as you’d like! (I use a mix of dark and milk chocolate chips.)

Spices: Cinnamon and a pinch of salt make these banana bread bars incredibly flavorful.

How to Make Banana Bread Bars with Chocolate Chips

1. Preheat the oven. Turn your oven on to 350 degrees and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper.

2. Mix the dry ingredients. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt together in a small bowl. Set aside.

3. Mix the wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the bananas, coconut sugar, almond butter, egg and vanilla together with a large spoon.

4. Combine all ingredients. Add the flour mixture and stir again until it’s just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips.

5. Bake. Pour the batter into your prepared pan and sprinkle a few more chocolate chips on top. Bake for 20-23 minutes.

6. Serve. Once done, allow the bars to cool completely before taking them out of the pan.

Variations + Add-ins

These banana bread bars are super easy to customize depending on what you’re craving. (Or what you have in the pantry😉.) Here are some fun ways to switch things up:

• Chopped nuts: Stir in a ¼ cup of walnuts or pecans for a nutty crunch.
• White chocolate chips
• Peanut butter chips
• Raisins
• M&M’s
• Swap the almond butter: Use peanut butter or cashew butter for a slightly different flavor!

Feel free to mix and match your favorites – these easy banana bread bars turn out delicious every time!

Storing Instructions

To Store: Keep your banana bread bars stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

To Freeze: Enjoy these bars longer by placing them in freezer-safe bags and freezing them up to 6 months.

Why you’ll love this banana bread bars recipe

• Soft, moist & bakery-worthy! The have the perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture with the right amount of sweetness.
• An easy one-bowl recipe! Everything comes together in one bowl with minimal clean up – perfect for busy days!
• Healthier but still indulgent! These healthy banana bread bars strike the perfect balance between nourishing & satisfying (hello chocolate chips!).
• Made with wholesome ingredients! No complicated steps or hard to find items here – just bananas, almond butter & pantry staples.

More sweet treat recipes you might like:

• Fudgy Butternunt Squash Brownies
• Puff Pastry Chocolate Croissants
• Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet
• Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Ice Cream Sandwiches

[Made one of my recipes? Make sure to tag my social media @kalefornia_kravings – I love seeing what you create!]