Imagine everything you love about peanut butter, bananas, and melty chocolate chips coming together in a single, soft, bakery-style treat. That’s exactly what you get with these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars! Sweet, nutty, and speckled with gooey chocolate, these bars are as perfect for an afternoon snack as they are for a cozy dessert. Whether you’re sharing them with friends, packing them in lunchboxes, or simply treating yourself, this recipe guarantees smiles all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these bars lies in their simple, everyday ingredients, each bringing something special to the table. A few pantry staples and ripe bananas are all it takes to create the irresistible taste and wonderfully soft texture that makes Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars so crave-worthy.
- Ripe Bananas: Use bananas with plenty of brown spots for the sweetest, richest banana flavor and natural moisture.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds classic nuttiness and helps give these bars their signature fudgy bite—use your favorite brand for best results.
- Unsalted Butter, Melted: Keeps the bars soft and enhances the buttery flavor without overpowering the peanut butter.
- Brown Sugar, Packed: Lends extra moisture and a deep, caramel hint that pairs perfectly with bananas and peanut butter.
- Large Egg: Helps bind everything together and creates a tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors and brings warmth.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure while still allowing the bars to stay moist.
- Baking Soda: Gives just enough lift for a soft, cake-like texture.
- Salt: Just a touch to balance all the sweet and rich flavors.
- Cinnamon: Subtle spice that perfectly complements bananas and chocolate.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: For delightful pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.
- Peanut Butter Chips (Optional): Extra burst of peanut butter flavor—totally optional, but highly recommended if you want to double down on the PB goodness!
How to Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This makes it easy to lift your bars out when they’re cool and ensures nothing sticks. Gather all your ingredients so everything is at your fingertips—it will make the process seamless and fun!
Step 2: Mash and Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until extra smooth. Get rid of as many lumps as possible; a fork or potato masher works great here! Whisk in the creamy peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is well combined and glossy. You’re looking for a silky, caramel-hued base that already smells delicious.
Step 3: Stir Together the Dry Ingredients
In a separate medium bowl, add the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Gently mix these dry ingredients with a whisk or fork to distribute everything evenly—this step prevents any little pockets of baking soda from sneaking into your bars!
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir together with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; stopping when everything is just incorporated ensures your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars stay ultra-tender.
Step 5: Fold in Chips and Bake
Gently fold in the semisweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips, if you’re using them. Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and spread it into an even layer for perfectly uniform bars. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The kitchen will smell heavenly when they’re ready!
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Let your bars cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper. This makes them easier to slice and allows the flavors to settle and mingle. Cut into 16 even bars, and get ready for pure joy in every bite.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars
Garnishes
For a simple but decadent touch, sprinkle the bars with extra chocolate chips or a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving. If you want to go all out, a little drizzle of melted peanut butter on top is absolute perfection and looks beautiful on a dessert tray.
Side Dishes
Pair your Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars with a tall glass of cold milk, a mug of rich hot chocolate, or even a bold cup of coffee. For a memorable dessert plate, try serving them alongside some fresh sliced strawberries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into small squares for bite-sized treats at parties, or serve larger bars wrapped in parchment for lunchbox-friendly snacks. You can also stack them up bakery-style on a cake stand or dessert platter for an impressive homemade finale to any meal!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. They’ll stay soft, moist, and perfect for snacking any time you get a craving throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to make a batch ahead, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy a sweet treat anytime.
Reheating
For that fresh-from-the-oven experience, pop a bar into the microwave for about 10 seconds. The chocolate chips go gooey, the banana aroma intensifies, and it’s just like the day they were baked—absolutely irresistible!
FAQs
Can I use natural peanut butter in Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars?
Absolutely! Just make sure to stir your natural peanut butter well before using so it’s not too oily or dry. Keep in mind the bars may be a bit softer or more crumbly, but they’ll still be delicious.
Do these bars taste very banana-heavy?
The banana flavor is pleasantly present but balanced by the peanut butter and chocolate. Even if you’re not a huge banana lover, you’ll find the combo harmonious and not overpowering.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are ready when a toothpick inserted around the center comes out with a few moist crumbs attached but isn’t coated in wet batter. Don’t overbake; you want them soft and slightly gooey!
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Absolutely, feel free to stir in chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even coconut for extra crunch or flavor. Just be sure not to overload the batter so everything bakes evenly.
Are these bars gluten-free or can I make them gluten-free?
As written, they’re not gluten-free, but you can substitute a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The texture may vary slightly, but the bars should still turn out tasty.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been searching for a no-fuss treat that combines the comforting flavors of peanut butter, ripe banana, and chocolate, these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are destined to become a go-to favorite. Give them a try, share with someone special, and prepare for pure snack-time bliss!
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Bars are a delightful treat that combines the richness of peanut butter and chocolate with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. Easy to make and perfect for snacking or dessert!
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter chips (optional)
Wet Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients:
Mix-Ins:
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash bananas, then mix in peanut butter, melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add to wet mixture and stir until just combined.
- Add mix-ins: Fold in chocolate chips and peanut butter chips if using.
- Bake: Spread batter in the pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
- Cool and slice: Let cool before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use half whole wheat flour.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
