Description
These Banana Bread Bars are a moist, flavorful treat perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Made with ripe bananas, sugars, eggs, and optional walnuts or chocolate chips, they have a tender crumb and rich taste. Easy to prepare and bake, these bars offer a delightful way to enjoy classic banana bread in bar form.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the banana bread bars.
- Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth, leaving some small chunks for texture if desired.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Pour in the melted butter and stir until combined. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar and mix until fully incorporated.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Crack the eggs into the mixture and add the vanilla extract, whisking until the batter is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, and all-purpose flour.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently to avoid overmixing and keep the batter tender.
- Add Mix-Ins: Fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans and chocolate chips if using, distributing them evenly through the batter.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, and optionally line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool: Let the banana bread bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Slice and Serve: Once cooled, slice into 12-16 bars and optionally dust with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can customize the bars by adding your favorite nuts, chocolate chips, or omit these for a simple version.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to keep them fresh longer.
- For nut allergies, omit the nuts and consider adding extra chocolate chips or dried fruit instead.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative.