Easy Choco-Banana Bars Recipe

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I’m always on the hunt for a good, make-ahead snack that the kids will love, these Choco Banana Bars are the perfect treat!

I'm always on the hunt for a good, make-ahead snack that the kids will love, these Choco Banana Bars are the perfect treat! #makeahead #chocobananabars #banana #chocolate #snackbar #dessert

Chocolate Banana Bars

This morning, when I discovered my bananas on the countertop were turning overripe I thought, “Today is my lucky day! It’s time for Banana Bars!” These Choco Banana Bars are one of our favorite snack bars. They taste like a delicious combo of cookies, cake, and brownies. They’re light and rich, perfect for a little afternoon snack, and yummy enough to be dessert!

They’re also a great way to use up those overripe bananas. I’m going to cut these up and store them in the freezer to have on hand for snacks!

— Looking for more snack ideas? Here are 8 Healthy Snacks for Moms with Limited Time.

Choco Banana Bar Recipe

What you need:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed banana
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 cup chocolate chipsChocolate Banana Bars

Mix together the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and banana. Then add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Put half of the mixture into a separate bowl and add the cocoa powder.

— Don’t throw out the banana peel! Check out these creative Banana Peel Uses

Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 bar pan and pour the cocoa mixture in. The mixture will be thick, just try and spread a thin layer across the bottom. It will rise up and make a beautiful thin bar. You can also use a smaller pan if you want a thicker bar, however, you will need to bake it longer to get the middle done.

Spread the remainder of the batter on top of the cocoa mixture. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips. You can use as little or as much as you’d like. I ended up doing less than the cup that the recipe calls for.

Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes or until the top is browned and a toothpick comes out clean.

Once cooled, cut into bars or squares.

Print this Simple Chocolate Banana Bar Recipe to add to your Recipe Binder below:

Choco Banana Bars
5 from 1 vote
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Choco Banana Bars

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 cups mashed banana
  • 1 1/2 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Mix together the butter, sugar, egg, vanilla, and banana. Then add in the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  2. Put half of the mixture into a separate bowl and add the cocoa powder.
  3. Grease the bottom of a 9 x 13 bar pan and pour the cocoa mixture in and spread thinly.
  4. Spread the remainder of the batter on top of the cocoa mixture.
  5. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips. (You can use as little or as much as you'd like. I ended up doing less than the cup that the recipe calls for.)
  6. Bake at 350F for about 30 minutes or until the top is browned and a toothpick comes out clean.
  7. Once cooled, cut into bars or squares.

Recipe Notes

The mixture will be thick, just try and spread a thin layer across the bottom. It will rise up and make a beautiful thin bar. You can also use a smaller pan if you want a thicker bar, however, you will need to bake it longer to get the middle done.

Chocolate Banana Bars

Variations

These chocolate banana bars are so delicious just as is but the recipe is versatile enough that you can change them up however you like them. Here are a few ideas:

Mint – If you love mint chocolate chip, try adding some peppermint flavoring to the cocoa layer.

Peanut Butter – Substitute peanut butter chips for chocolate chips for the peanut butter lover or try adding peanut butter or peanut butter powder to the top layer (the batter without cocoa)

Pecan – If you like the crunch of nuts, sprinkle some pecans on top.

Yum! There are so many delicious ways you could make these!

Have more bananas on the counter? Here are some other ways you can use them up:

Gluten Free Banana Carrot Muffins

Orange Julius Strawberry Banana Smoothie Recipe

Simple Banana Cake Recipe

Recipe for Banana Cream Pie

Banana Bread Mini Muffins Recipe

Banana Zucchini Wheat Muffins

Tried and True Banana Bread

Homemade Banana Pudding Recipe

Banana Crumble Muffins Recipe

What’s your favorite way to use up overripe bananas? Will you be trying these bars next?

Merissa Bio

This Choco Banana Bar Recipe was originally published on Little House Living in April 2012. It has been updated as of May 2020.

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33 Comments

  1. Two things I would do different is only use half the sugar and use part or all wheat flour to take away from of the guilt of eating a yummy dessert!

  2. Thanks for posting! I made these today because I just so happened to have four overripe bananas. Mine came out of the oven like a thick, fluffy cake! Not even close to bar consistency so I’m not sure what I did wrong, but it was delicious, and it is going in my recipe box 🙂

    1. Mine came out like cake too! I did use wheat flour, but I didnt think that would make a difference. Maybe someone can let us know what happened! They are delicious though.

  3. can I use oil instead of butter ? We live in a part of Asia where butter is VERY expensive. If so, same amount of oil- or less ?

  4. Pinned. Will have to give this a try. I usually use ripe bananas in pancakes or bread, but having bars would be a nice change.

  5. I love the addition of a banana! Why didn’t I think of this before? My son will love this! I like finding ways to sneak in some good vitamins!
    Thanks for sharing!

  6. These sound delicious! Visiting from the”Wow Me Wednesday” linky party. =)

  7. Those Choco-Banana Bars sound amazing! We love the chocolate and banana combo here. I’m not even allowed to make banana bread unless it has chocolate chips in it 😉 I’d love for you to link this recipe up to my Creative Ways Link Party when you get a chance!
    Blessings,
    Nici

  8. Just what I needed! Something to do with all the ripe bananas from my tree. I have made banana bread with chocolate chips but I like the change up to bars with some added cocoa. Thanks for sharing on The Wednesday Roundup.

  9. I love the combination of banana and chocolate chips, thanks for sharing such a great recipe!

  10. I love the addition of the banana in these! They look so decadent and moist. Wishing I had one now~

    Stopping by from Showcase Your Talent Thurs.

    Toodles,
    Tammy<3

  11. Wow, these sound yummy! Bananas and chocolate chips, it doesn’t get better than that. Great combo.
    Bev

  12. I can already taste these. What I love about this combo is that its great for breakfast, lunch or dinner =)

  13. Thanks for sharing at Family Fun Friday! I’m featuring your recipe this week and can’t wait to see what you have for us this week.

  14. Those bars look delicious! Pinned. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!! Laura@Baking in Pyjamas

  15. My 11 year old son just made these. They are a big hit! They are delicious! He is a Boy Scout and is enjoying learning how to cook & bake. They are always looking for recipes that could be made into a dutch oven recipe for camping. Thanks for sharing the recipe. We found it on Pinterest.

  16. These always turn out like brownies for me……..Which is perfectly okay!! 🙂

    Great recipe to use up ripe bananas when you’re not quite in the mood for banana bread but still want something sweet. You can substitute shortening for butter if need be.

  17. Great recipe. We used Almond/Rice flour blend and coconut oil (instead of butter) and 3/4 c. raw sugar (instead of white).
    The were gooey, chocolate, and yummy. May need to bake them just a bit longer next time. No leftovers though so… maybe not.

  18. This is my first time making these. I used 4 bananas with mine. I mixed the chocolate chips instead of putting them on top. Mine are wait to be put in the oven. This is a great recipe, Thanks

  19. These are in the oven now I can’t wait to taste them I added peanut butter chips with the chocolate ones. I’m going to freeze the rest to take to church next week.

  20. Thanks so much for all the great recipes you give us, Merissa. Also, I love the picture of you with your daughter! Makes me smile every time I see it.

  21. 5 stars
    This was a hit! not so sweet and so easy to make. I ran out of butter so I made it w/ 1/2 butter and 1/2 shortening. I also had a little more banana left (about 1/2 cup) so I just added crushed Oreos to it and used that as a “crust” and followed the recipe as usual.
    Thanks Merissa! just love your site and recipes.

  22. I just made these and my home smells like a bakery! It turned out fantastic!
    I tried a small sample and it’s absolutely delicious.
    Can’t wait to have this for after dinner dessert tonight!