100 Days of Real Food

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
    • Welcome
    • Original 100 Day Pledge
    • 100 Day Budget Pledge
    • FAQs
  • My Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Our Shop
    • Meal Ideas & Resources
    • Mini-Pledge Progam
    • School Lunch Packing Chart
    • Favorite Amazon Buys
  • Blog
    • What Is Real Food?
    • How to Start
      • Real Food Tips
      • Eating Out and Travel
      • Food Shopping
      • How to Cook
      • Kitchen and Home
    • School Lunches
    • Snacks
    • Kids
      • Picky Eaters
      • Fun Stuff
  • Meal Plans
    • Real Food Meal Plans
    • School Lunch Plans
    • Free Weekly Dinner Plans
×
Home » Recipes

Banana Bread Bars

Forget the usual banana bread loaf! These yummy Banana Bread Bars are easier to make and just as tasty. They are packed with the flavor of ripe bananas and loaded with chocolate chips. You'll love the way they are soft and chewy on the inside. Get ready to enjoy these delicious treats!

Banana bread bars.

Want to Save this Recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!

Save Recipe

We love serving these bars for a quick breakfast, delicious brunch, afternoon snack, or healthier dessert. Kids love it too!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Simple & Quick: Whip up a batch of these chocolate chip banana bread bars in under an hour with minimal prep work. They are ideal for busy weeknights or last-minute hosting.
  • Family-Friendly: These crowd-pleasing bars are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike. The sweetness of the bananas and chocolate chips makes them a tasty treat.
  • Customizable: Get creative and personalize your bars with endless flavor variations and add-ins.
  • Healthy-ish: Made with wholesome ingredients like oats and peanut butter, these bars offer a more nutritious alternative to traditional desserts.
  • Check out our Almond Flour Banana Bread for another delicious breakfast recipe!

Ingredients & Substitutes

These are the ingredients for these chocolate chip banana bread bars. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the entire recipe.

First, use ripe bananas. They have a better taste and texture than green bananas.

Two eggs help bind these bars together.

Sweeten this recipe with pure maple syrup or honey.

Plain Greek yogurt adds moisture and extra protein. Use a brand without added sugar.

Use all natural creamy peanut butter made from only peanuts.

Rolled oats add a delicious texture.

Oat flour acts as the substance. You can either buy oat flour or make it homemade. To make homemade oat flour, add oats to a blender and blend into a flour consistency.

Baking soda helps these bars rise.

Lastly, add in dark chocolate chips for some added flavor!

Ingredients for banana bread bars.

Taste & Texture

These Banana Bread Bars have the best textures. The mashed bananas create a moist and tender crumb, while the rolled oats add a satisfying chew.

Chocolate chips burst with melty sweetness in every bite.

Overall, these bars taste like oatmeal banana bread with chocolate chips!

How to Make

Step 1

First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 inch by 9 inch square pan with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed ripe bananas, eggs, maple syrup, yogurt, and peanut butter. Stir together.

Greek yogurt and eggs in bowl.

Step 3

Then, add in the oats, oat flour, and baking soda. Stir together.

Light batter in bowl.

Step 4

Mix in the dark chocolate chips.

Thick banana batter.

Step 5

Spread the banana batter into the lined pan.

Step 6

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Baked banana bars in pan.

Step 7

Finally, fully cool before slicing and serving these banana bread bars.

Expert Tips for Success

Follow these tips and tricks to make the best banana bread bars.

Banana Power: For the best flavor, use ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots. Ripeness translates to more sweetness and a richer banana flavor.

Mixing Matters: Avoid overmixing the batter. Once the dry ingredients are incorporated, stop mixing to prevent tough bars.

Patience is Key: Let the bars cool completely before cutting. This allows them to firm up and prevents them from crumbling.

Parchment Perfection: Line your baking pan with parchment paper for effortless removal and easy clean-up.

Flavor Variations & Add-Ins

Here are some fun ideas for your banana bread bars.

Chocolate Cravings: Substitute the chocolate chips with chopped nuts, dried fruit, or a combination of both for a twist.

Spice it Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warm and cozy flavor profile.

Nut Butter Alternatives: Feel free to use almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any nut butter you prefer.

Close up of chocolate chip bars.

How to Serve & Store

Serving Ideas: Enjoy your Banana Bread Bars warm with a drizzle of honey, a dollop of whipped cream, or a scoop of our banana ice cream.

Storing: Leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months for longer storage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, ensure that your oats and oat flour are certified gluten-free.

What if I don’t have Greek yogurt?

You can substitute it with regular yogurt or a dairy-free alternative.

Can I freeze the bars?

Absolutely! Store the bars in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave before serving.

What’s the best way to mash the bananas?

Use a fork or a potato masher to mash the bananas thoroughly until smooth. If you prefer a smoother texture, you can also use a blender.

Equipment Needed

Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: These parchment paper sheets are great for easily removing the banana bread bars from the pan.

Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: We always use these mixing bowls when baking.

Check out all of our Kitchen Favorites!

Chocolate banana bars.

You May Also Enjoy

  • No Bake Samoa Cookies
  • Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Individual Cheesecakes
  • Gluten-Free Brownies
  • Sugar Cookies

If you enjoyed this banana bread bar recipe, please leave a rating and comment! For more inspiration, check out my Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. For 5 free weekly meal plans and more free resources, sign up to receive my free newsletter! For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes!

Banana bread bars.

Banana Bread Bars

These Banana Bread Bars are a real treat! They are super moist and packed with the sweet flavor of ripe bananas. You'll love the soft texture and the chocolate chips. A perfect snack for any time of day!
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 35 minutes mins
Total Time: 45 minutes mins
Course: Breakfast, Treats
Cuisine: American
Method: Baked Goods
Diet: Gluten Free
Print Recipe
Servings: 9 bars
Save Recipe Saved!

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large ripe bananas
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • ⅓ cup creamy all natural peanut butter
  • 1 cup rolled oats
  • ½ cup oat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ⅔ cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 inch by 9 inch square pan with parchment paper.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, eggs, pure maple syrup, yogurt, and creamy peanut butter. Stir together.
  • Then, mix in the oats, oat flour, and baking soda. Stir to combine.
  • Add in the chocolate chips. Stir together.
  • Spread into the lined pan.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
  • Finally, fully cool the banana bread bars before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Use brown or yellow spotted ripe bananas. Do not use green bananas.
  • If you do not have oat flour, simply add oats to a blender. Then, blend until a powder consistency is reached.
  • Fully cool before slicing into.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • Check out all of our Kitchen Favorites!
    Nutrition Facts
    Nutrition Facts
    Banana Bread Bars
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 258 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 5g31%
    Trans Fat 0.004g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 3g
    Cholesterol 37mg12%
    Sodium 198mg9%
    Potassium 339mg10%
    Carbohydrates 33g11%
    Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 15g17%
    Protein 8g16%
    Vitamin A 71IU1%
    Vitamin C 2mg2%
    Calcium 82mg8%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Want weekly REAL FOOD meal plans made for you?→ Check It Out

More Recipes

  • Sausage stir fry.
    Sausage Stir Fry
  • Sausage broccoli pasta.
    Sausage Broccoli Pasta
  • Chicken sausage pasta.
    Chicken Sausage Pasta
  • Steak with veggies.
    Steak with Veggies
43 shares

Comments

  1. Abbey says

    April 14, 2025 at 10:03 pm

    Will these stay good longer than two days if you store them in the fridge?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Welcome!


Meet Lisa! Lisa is a best-selling cookbook author, wife, mother, and passionate home cook. Lisa began blogging in 2010 and has created a community of millions of people who share her love of healthy living, real food ingredients, and family recipes.

Learn More

Popular

  • Sausage and potatoes.
    Sausage and Potatoes
  • Spaghetti squash with meat sauce.
    Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce
  • Spaghetti squash boats.
    Spaghetti Squash Boats
  • How to cook spaghetti squash.
    How to Cook Spaghetti Squash

Seasonal

  • Air fryer popcorn chicken.
    Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
  • Healthy blueberry pancakes.
    Healthy Blueberry Pancakes
  • BBQ chicken.
    Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs
  • Chicken cacciatore.
    Chicken Cacciatore

Footer

↑ back to top

Browse

  • Cookbooks
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes
  • Favorite Products
  • Free Downloads

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Blog

  • About
  • Comment Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner With Us
  • Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 100 Days of Real Food