They’re not quite a blondie and not quite a cake. These healthy banana bars are the perfect mix of both. Fluffy and a bit chewy, they are a perfect sweet treat without being too sweet.
This healthy banana bar recipe is perfect to use up those overripe bananas you have stuffed in the corner of your kitchen. They are made with whole wheat flour and coconut sugar to keep them healthier.
If you're like us you purposely buy too many bananas, so some of them will go brown to make banana desserts with.
Jump to:
The banana adds a tasty amount of natural sweetener. There's a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg to tie the flavors together. It can be eaten as an easy breakfast or an afternoon snack. Top them with whipped cream, ice cream, or cream cheese icing for a yummy banana dessert.
The other day we had brown bananas and were craving something different so we started searching around and came up with the idea to make banana bars.
We had a certain texture in mind too. Not too fluffy, not too dense… Somewhere in between (kind of like our whole wheat carrot cake). They had to be moist and full of flavor. It took a couple tries but hey we nailed it!
They have the yummiest texture, it’s kind of like a cake and a blondie had a baby.
We ate them plain for snack, and once we put homemade butter pecan ice cream on them for a healthy dessert. Make a double batch and you have a sweet treat the whole family will enjoy.
If that sweet tooth is craving something chocolatey try these chocolate banana muffins or this chocolate banana cake. We also have a yummy healthy banana cake recipe.
What's Cool About This Recipe
- 100% Whole Grain: Made with whole grains and other wholesome ingredients like banana and coconut sugar
- Made with simple ingredients
- Yummy and family friendly
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Banana: overripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
- Egg
- Unsalted butter: You can use salted butter, just omit or decrease the salt.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract has the best flavor.
- Coconut sugar: You can use cane sugar or brown sugar here.
- Hard white whole wheat flour: Soft white whole wheat flour will also work in these.
- Baking soda: We don’t recommend any substitutions here.
- Ground Cinnamon: You can leave this out if you like.
- Nutmeg: This can also be left out.
- Salt: We like sea salt.
- Optional: Pecans, walnuts, semi sweet or dark chocolate chips.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl combine the mashed banana, butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.
Step 2: Stir together the dry ingredients in a small bowl.
Step 3: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined.
Step 4: Bake in a buttered or parchment lined 8 or 9 inch square baking dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Frost with cream cheese frosting for a delicious dessert
- Serve with vanilla ice cream and sliced fresh bananas.
- Add a dollop of whipped Cream or coconut cream to your slice.
How to store banana bars
Store in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap for 4-5 days
How to Freeze
Wrap with several layers of plastic wrap and wrap in tin foil. Label and freeze for up to 6 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature when ready to eat it.
Tips From Our Kitchen
Make sure you use well ripened bananas.
The more ripe the banana is the less volume it will be, so if your banana is super ripe you may need a little more than the 2 bananas called for unless they are huge bananas.
FAQ
If you have more bananas than you can eat, you can wait for them to get brown spots on them and then use them to make Banana Bars, Banana Bread, Chocolate Banana Muffins or 3 ingredient banana pancakes.
Yes! You can peel them, cut them up. Put them in a resealable freezer bag and freeze for about 6 months. You can use them frozen in smoothies or baked goods. To use in baked goods. Thaw frozen bananas in the refrigerator for 6-12 hours and use as directed in the recipe.
Banana Bars, Chocolate Banana Muffins, Banana Cake and Chocolate Banana Cake, and 3 Ingredient pancakes are all great options to use up those overripe bananas
Related Recipes
📖 Recipe
Healthy Banana Bars (whole wheat)
Ingredients
- 2 medium/large (280 g) overripe bananas about 1 cup mashed
- 1 large egg
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter melted
- 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon (5 ml)) vanilla extract
- ¼ cup (50 g) coconut sugar
- 1 cup (128 g) hard white wheat flour soft white wheat flour also works
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Mash the banana using a potato masher, a fork or electric mixer.2 medium/large (280 g) overripe bananas
- Place the mashed bananas, and the rest of the wet ingredients into a large bowl and stir until combined.2 medium/large (280 g) overripe bananas, 1 large egg, 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter, 1 teaspoon (1 teaspoon (5 ml)) vanilla extract, ¼ cup (50 g) coconut sugar
- In a separate bowl stir together the dry ingredients, add to the bowl with the wet ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips (if using). You can also add nuts or pumpkin seeds.1 cup (128 g) hard white wheat flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¼ teaspoon sea salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ½ cup chocolate chips
- Butter an 8 inch square baking dish, or line it with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees fahrenheit for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for a healthy dessert. You could also leave out the chocolate chips and frost with cream cheese frosting or eat it plain for a delicious snack or breakfast.
Notes
Nutrition
We calculate these nutritional facts using an estimate and they can vary drastically between ingredients used and measuring technique. So, they are not intended for medical use.
Did you make this recipe? We would love to hear from you!