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close up on the top of sliced banana bread bars

Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars


  • Author: Jenna Barnard
  • Total Time: 50 minutes + 1 hour cooling
  • Yield: 16 bars

Description

These banana bread bars are the perfect way to use up ripe bananas – made with simple ingredients and are completely vegan, gluten free, and naturally sweetened. 


Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (430g) mashed ripe banana (about 4 bananas)
  • 3/4 cup (200g) natural almond butter*
  • 1/4 cup (85g) pure maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups (160g) oat flour**
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling on top***
  • 3 tbsp finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and grease and line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper. 
  2. In a mixing bowl, stir together the banana, almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla.
  3. Once smooth, mix in the oat flour and salt.
  4. Spread the batter in the pan and top with a sprinkle of extra chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
  5. Bake for 25-30 minutes. You know it’s ready when the center feels soft but bounces back when touched. 
  6. Chill the bars for about an hour, then slice and serve. Enjoy!

Notes

ALMOND BUTTER – You can also use any nut or seed butter you like. I personally think natural sunflower seed butter tastes really good in these bars! Whatever you use, just make sure it’s natural without any added ingredients.

OAT FLOUR – You can use pre-packaged oat flour or grind your own by blending oats in a food processor. Alternatively, you can try swapping it with almond flour. I haven’t tested it with these bars, but almond flour is a great sub for oat flour in most cases.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS – I used stevia-sweetened chocolate chips that are also vegan. Alternatively, you can use 100% cacao chips or any dairy free chocolate chip you prefer. 

STORAGE – Keep these bars in an air tight container in the refrigerator and they will keep for up to 5 days. 

NUTRITION 1 bar = 186 calories | 25g carbs | 10g fat | 5g protein 

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes

Keywords: banana bread bars, healthy banana bread, banana bars, chocolate chip banana bread bars

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