Irresistibly Delicious & Healthy-ish Chocolate Banana Bars: Your Go-To Recipe for Ripe Bananas
Transform your overripe bananas into these absolutely decadent yet surprisingly wholesome Chocolate Banana Bars! This recipe delivers a delightful dessert bar packed with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, rich chocolate chips, a secret ingredient for added goodness (All-Bran Cereal!), and crunchy walnuts. Crowned with a luscious, smooth chocolate frosting, each bite feels like a luxurious indulgence, even though it clocks in at only around 155 calories per serving. Say goodbye to food waste and hello to satisfying that chocolate craving in a truly rewarding way!
Chocolate Banana Bars: The Ultimate Solution for Brown Bananas!
Don’t ignore those dark-spotted bananas calling to you from your kitchen counter any longer! They’re practically begging to be transformed into something truly magnificent, and these scrumptious Chocolate Banana Bars are the perfect answer. While the default for many of us when faced with overly ripe bananas is often banana bread – and don’t get me wrong, classic banana bread is wonderful – there’s a whole world of delicious possibilities waiting to be explored. These bars offer a fantastic, flavorful alternative that will quickly become a household favorite.
Far too often, those perfectly ripe, sweet bananas end up in the trash bin simply because we run out of ideas or time. But letting them go to waste is a missed opportunity, especially when they’re at their peak for baking! The natural sugars in brown bananas intensify, lending an unparalleled sweetness and moisture to baked goods. Instead of making a mental note to bake banana bread (a note that often gets forgotten), consider these bars. They’re quick, easy, and deliver a unique texture and flavor profile that might just make you forget about plain banana bread for good.
And speaking of avoiding waste, if you’re not quite ready to bake, remember that you can always freeze ripe bananas for later use. Simply peel them, cut them into chunks (or leave them whole), and store them in an airtight bag in your freezer. They’re perfect for whipping up your favorite smoothie, or for when inspiration strikes to bake up a beautiful batch of these chocolate banana delights!
A “Better For You” Dessert Bar: Indulgence with a Purpose
So, if you’re looking for a sweet treat that comes with a little extra goodness, and a delicious answer to the perennial question, “What should I do with these ripe bananas?”, look no further! This recipe was originally shared as a guest post on my friend Debra’s blog, Bowl Me Over. When she asked for a sweet recipe, I knew these Chocolate Banana Bars with their thoughtful twist would be an absolute hit. They manage to be both incredibly satisfying and subtly beneficial, offering a delightful balance that appeals to everyone.
The Secret Ingredient: Chocolate Banana Bars with All-Bran Cereal
Here’s where these gooey, chocolate-chip-studded banana bars take an unexpected but brilliant turn: they contain All-Bran Cereal! If I hadn’t revealed it, you would genuinely never guess. Once baked, the cereal completely disappears, melting into the bar to enhance its texture and moisture without any discernible taste or crunch. What it leaves behind, however, are all its wonderful nutritional benefits, making these bars a smarter choice for satisfying your sweet tooth.
It’s no secret that many people shy away from discussing fiber in their diets, yet most aren’t consuming nearly enough. Incorporating more fiber can have a profound positive impact on your overall health. From helping to lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar levels to supporting robust digestive health and promoting a feeling of fullness that can aid in weight management, fiber is a powerhouse nutrient. These Chocolate Banana Bars offer a delicious and effortless way to boost your daily fiber intake without compromising on flavor or enjoyment.
Let’s be clear: I’m not claiming these Chocolate Banana Bars are health food, nor am I suggesting they’re a replacement for a balanced meal. They are, without a doubt, a rich and decadent dessert. However, by adding All-Bran Cereal alongside the naturally nutritious bananas, you’re giving your body a little extra something good while indulging in a truly fantastic chocolate dessert bar. It’s a win-win: pure pleasure with a hidden dose of wellness. You get to enjoy every delicious bite knowing you’re also doing something beneficial for your body.
The subtle earthiness of the bran cereal complements the sweet bananas and deep chocolate notes beautifully, ensuring the bars are not overly sweet. It’s truly a seamless integration, making these bars a delightful surprise for anyone who tries them. Plus, they offer a satisfying chewiness that makes them incredibly enjoyable.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Chocolate Banana Bars
One of the best things about this recipe is how accessible the ingredients are. You likely have most, if not all, of what you need already stocked in your pantry and fridge. Many of these items are baking staples, with the only potentially “special” item being the All-Bran Cereal – an easy find at any grocery store. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this amazing All-Bran Chocolate Banana Bar recipe:
Shopping List:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder and baking soda (for lift and tenderness)
- Salt (to balance sweetness and enhance flavors)
- Cinnamon (adds a warm, comforting spice note)
- Granulated sugar (for sweetness in the bars) and powdered sugar (for the frosting)
- Vanilla extract (essential for depth of flavor)
- Unsalted butter (for richness in both bars and frosting)
- Large egg (binds ingredients and adds structure)
- Milk (for moisture and texture)
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (for gooey chocolate pockets in the bars and a smooth frosting)
- Ripe bananas (the star of the show, providing natural sweetness and moisture)
- Kellogg’s All-Bran Cereal (our secret fiber boost!)
*You will find the full printable recipe with precise measurements at the bottom of this post.
Effortless Chocolate Banana Bars: Step-by-Step Instructions
These delightful chocolate banana bars and their accompanying rich chocolate frosting come together remarkably quickly, making them perfect for a last-minute dessert or a planned baking project. You won’t need an extensive array of kitchen gadgets; a stand mixer (or a hand mixer), a mixing bowl, a trusty rubber spatula, a sifter or fine mesh strainer, and a 9×13-inch baking dish are all the tools required. Follow these simple steps to create the bars:
- First, in a large mixing bowl, begin by creaming together the softened butter, egg, granulated sugar, and wonderfully mashed ripe bananas until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step incorporates air and ensures a tender bar.
- Next, gently mix in the Kellogg’s All-Bran Cereal. Don’t worry if it looks a bit chunky; it will soften and integrate beautifully during baking.
- After that, fold in the melted semi-sweet chocolate chips. This creates pockets of rich chocolate throughout the bars.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Sifting helps to remove lumps and ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients. Gradually add these sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture, alternating with the milk. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough bars.
- Gently fold in the chopped walnuts. These add a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the chocolate and banana perfectly.
- Finally, spread the batter evenly into your prepared 9×13 baking dish. Bake according to the recipe instructions until golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Crafting the Perfect Chocolate Banana Bar Frosting
Now that your delicious chocolate banana bars are baked and cooling, it’s time to prepare the pièce de résistance: a smooth, rich chocolate frosting that takes these bars from great to absolutely unforgettable. This frosting is incredibly easy to make and provides the perfect sweet crown for your bars.
- Ensure your chocolate banana bars are completely cooled in the pan before proceeding. Attempting to frost warm bars will result in a messy, melted frosting.
- To begin, melt the butter and semi-sweet chocolate chips together in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water (a double boiler method) or carefully in the microwave in short intervals, stirring frequently until smooth.
- Once melted, stir in the powdered sugar, milk, a pinch of salt (to enhance the chocolate flavor), and vanilla extract. Continue stirring until the frosting is silky smooth and free of lumps. Adjust the consistency with a tiny bit more milk or powdered sugar if needed.
- Finally, generously spread this decadent chocolate frosting evenly over the cooled bars. You can use an offset spatula for a professional finish.
- Once frosted, allow the frosting to set slightly before cutting the entire pan into 32 perfect squares. Garnish with an extra walnut piece on top of each bar, if desired, for a beautiful presentation.
Love Them? Pin Them!
If you’re already dreaming of these delightful bars and can’t wait to bake a batch, be sure to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest dessert board so you can easily find it later! Sharing is caring!
Tips, FAQs, and Variations for Your Chocolate Banana Bar Recipe
While baking often involves precision, it’s also a wonderful opportunity for creativity! This recipe for Chocolate Banana Bars is quite forgiving, allowing you to tweak and personalize it to suit your tastes and dietary needs. Here are some extra tips, answers to common questions, and ideas for variations to make these bars truly your own:
Helpful Tips:
- Perfect for Potlucks: These bars are incredibly popular at gatherings! If you’re bringing them to a potluck, consider any potential allergies. If nut allergies are a concern, simply omit the walnuts. Alternatively, if you do include nuts, placing a single walnut half on top of each frosted bar, as I often do, can serve as a clear visual cue for guests, indicating the presence of nuts.
- Easier Cutting: The bars are wonderfully moist and can sometimes be a bit soft when fresh. I’ve found that placing the entire frosted pan in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or even longer) before cutting makes for much cleaner, more precise squares. A warm, sharp knife also helps!
- Preparation for Baking: Always preheat your oven properly. Also, lining your 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper (with an overhang on the sides) makes for effortless removal of the entire slab of bars, allowing for easier cutting and clean-up.
- Banana Ripeness: For the best flavor and moisture, use bananas that are very ripe – skins should be heavily speckled brown or almost entirely brown. The softer they are, the easier they are to mash and the sweeter they’ll make your bars.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Can you store ripe bananas? Absolutely! It’s one of the easiest ways to prevent food waste and ensure you always have bananas ready for baking. I even dedicated a whole post to it: “How to Freeze Ripe Bananas.” By freezing them, you’ll have a convenient stash for your next batch of chocolate banana bars or any other beloved banana recipes.
- Can these bars be frozen? Yes, these bars freeze beautifully! Once completely cooled and frosted, you can cut them into squares and arrange them in a single layer in an airtight freezer-safe container. For best results, I’d suggest waiting to add any walnut garnishes until you’re ready to thaw and serve them. They will keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
- Can I substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour? You certainly can introduce whole wheat flour for an even healthier twist! However, baking recipes can be sensitive to flour types. While some recipes allow a complete swap, others work better with a partial substitution. For this recipe, I would recommend substituting 1/2 to 2/3 of the total amount of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour to ensure the texture remains soft and moist. A full swap might result in a denser bar.
- How long do these bars last? When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these bars will stay fresh and delicious for 2-3 days. If refrigerated, they can last up to a week. The frosting helps to seal in moisture.
Delicious Variations:
- Flour Alternatives: As mentioned, swapping out some of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat flour is a fantastic option to boost the nutritional value and fiber content of the bars.
- Nutty Choices: Not a fan of walnuts? No problem! Pecans or even chopped peanuts would make excellent substitutes, adding a different flavor and crunch profile. For a nut-free version, simply omit them entirely, or try adding sunflower seeds for a similar texture.
- Chocolate Preferences: Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips! Milk chocolate chips will yield a sweeter, creamier chocolate flavor, while bittersweet chocolate will offer a more intense, sophisticated cocoa note – perfect if you love dark chocolate as much as I do! You could even use a mix of different chocolates.
- Frosting Flavors: While the chocolate frosting is divine, don’t be afraid to switch things up! A tangy cream cheese frosting would provide a lovely contrast to the sweet banana and chocolate, or a rich peanut butter frosting would create an amazing chocolate-banana-peanut butter trifecta.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of nutmeg or a dash of espresso powder (just a teaspoon!) can deepen the flavor of both the chocolate and banana, adding an extra layer of complexity.
- Toppings Galore: Beyond walnuts, consider other toppings like a sprinkle of sea salt flakes over the frosting, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or a dusting of cocoa powder for an elegant finish.
More Creative Recipes That Use Ripe Bananas
Bananas are a true gift for bakers, and ripe bananas are even better! Their natural sweetness and moisture make them one of my absolute favorite fruits to bake with. There are countless delicious ways to incorporate those perfectly ripe bananas into your recipes:
- The BEST Banana Bread: A classic for a reason, perfect every time.
- Banana Bread Coffee Cake: A delightful fusion of two breakfast favorites.
- Chocolate Orange Banana Bread: An unexpected and delicious flavor combination.
- Banana Bread Pancakes: Start your day with the taste of banana bread!
- Nutty Monkey Smoothie (Shown Above): A creamy, nutritious drink that can also be jazzed up into a yummy cocktail.
- Chocolate Banana Cake: A rich and moist cake for special occasions.
- Blueberry Banana Bundt Cake with Blueberry Buttercream Icing: A showstopper dessert bursting with fruit flavor.
This particular recipe for Chocolate Banana Bars was inspired by a really old cookbook, “Cooking with Love and Cereal,” a treasured gift from my dear friend, Gail. It’s a testament to how timeless and versatile these wholesome ingredients can be!
I sincerely hope that you and your loved ones enjoy making and savoring this fantastic Chocolate Banana Bar recipe as much as we do! Happy baking!
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Print Recipe
Chocolate Banana Bars
Equipment
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9×13 Pyrex Baking Dish with a Lid
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Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
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KitchenAid Hand Mixer
Ingredients
For the Bars
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 ripe bananas mashed (1 cup)
- 1/4 cup butter softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup Kellogg’s All Bran Cereal
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips melted
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts plus a few more to garnish
For the Frosting
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Spray a 9×13 baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
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In a mixing bowl, cream together butter, egg, sugar and mashed bananas.
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Mix in All-Bran Cereal and then melted chocolate.
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Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon into the wet mixture.
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Add milk. Mix to combine.
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Fold in walnuts.
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Spread into prepared baking dish.
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Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
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Cool in pan.
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To prepare the frosting: Melt butter and chocolate chips together, stir in powdered sugar, milk, salt and vanilla.
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Spread frosting on cooled bars.
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Cut into 32 squares.