Peanut Butter Banana Bars

Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly chewy, sweet-and-salty treat that combines the nostalgic comfort of ripe bananas with rich, creamy peanut butter. These Peanut Butter Banana Bars are the ultimate crowd-pleasing dessert that transforms simple pantry staples into something truly extraordinary. The natural sweetness of bananas perfectly balances the nutty depth of peanut butter, creating an irresistible snack that’s as perfect for lunchboxes as it is for elegant dessert platters. You’ll learn how to create these delectable bars with minimal effort, customize them to your taste preferences, and store them properly for maximum freshness.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Peanut Butter Banana Bars will quickly become a favorite in your baking repertoire for so many reasons. First, they strike that perfect balance between indulgent dessert and wholesome snack—with nutritious ingredients like bananas (hello, potassium!) and protein-packed peanut butter that make you feel good about enjoying them.

The textural contrast is what makes these bars truly special. The exterior develops a slight crispness while the interior remains irresistibly moist and tender. Each bite delivers the perfect harmony of flavors—sweet banana undertones complemented by the rich, slightly salty notes of peanut butter.

What’s more, this recipe is remarkably forgiving and flexible. Whether you’re a novice baker or seasoned pro, these banana peanut butter squares come together with minimal fuss. The batter comes together in just one bowl, meaning less cleanup and more time enjoying your creation. Plus, you can easily customize these bars with mix-ins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or a drizzle of honey to make them uniquely yours.

Ingredients

For these delicious Peanut Butter Banana Bars, you’ll need:

• 3 medium ripe bananas (about 1½ cups mashed)
• ¾ cup smooth peanut butter (natural or conventional both work)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
• ⅓ cup chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)

The key to exceptional peanut butter banana squares lies in using perfectly ripe bananas—look for ones with plenty of brown spots for maximum sweetness and flavor. For the peanut butter, both natural (just peanuts and salt) or conventional varieties work beautifully, though natural peanut butter will produce a slightly less sweet result with more pronounced peanut flavor.

Pro Tips

Achieving perfect Peanut Butter Banana Bars every time comes down to mastering a few crucial techniques:

First, never underestimate the importance of banana ripeness. For the most flavorful bars, use bananas that are very ripe with significant brown spotting or even nearly black skins. These bananas not only provide more natural sweetness but also contribute to the perfect moist texture of the bars. If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, you can quickly ripen them by placing them in a paper bag with an apple for 24 hours.

Second, pay careful attention to your mixing technique. For tender, soft bars, avoid overmixing once the flour is added. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your bars tough rather than tender. Mix just until the flour disappears into the wet ingredients—a few small lumps are actually preferable to overmixing.

Lastly, master the baking time by understanding your oven. These bars are at their best when they’re just slightly underbaked in the center, which keeps them moist and chewy. Look for golden edges with a center that appears set but still slightly soft when gently pressed. If you’re uncertain, it’s better to slightly underbake than overbake these treats.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Equipment and Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the middle. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This parchment sling is your secret weapon for perfect bars! Gather all ingredients and allow refrigerated items like eggs to come to room temperature for the smoothest batter.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas
In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until very few lumps remain. You should have approximately 1½ cups of mashed banana. The more thoroughly you mash now, the smoother your Peanut Butter Banana Bars will be.

Step 3: Create the Base Mixture
Add the peanut butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the mashed bananas. Mix until well combined and creamy. Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is uniform and fragrant.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula, being careful not to overmix. Stop when just combined, with no dry flour pockets visible. Gently fold in chocolate chips if using, reserving a small handful for topping.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, spreading it evenly into the corners. If desired, sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips and chopped peanuts on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (but not wet batter). The edges should be lightly golden.

Step 6: Cool and Cut
Allow the Peanut Butter Banana Bars to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before using the parchment overhang to lift them out onto a cooling rack. Let them cool completely before cutting into squares—this patience rewards you with cleaner cuts and fully developed flavors.

Variations

The versatility of these Peanut Butter Banana Bars makes them perfect for customization. Here are some popular variations to keep this recipe exciting every time you make it:

For a more decadent dessert, try the Chocolate Lover’s version. Simply fold ¾ cup chocolate chips into the batter and top with a drizzle of melted chocolate after baking. The combination of chocolate and peanut butter creates an irresistible flavor profile that’s reminiscent of your favorite candy.

If you’re catering to specific dietary needs, these bars are easily adaptable to a gluten-free lifestyle. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. You may want to add ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already include it to maintain the perfect chewy texture.

For a heartier breakfast bar variation, incorporate ½ cup of old-fashioned oats and reduce the flour by ¼ cup. Add a handful of dried cranberries or raisins for natural sweetness and a nutritional boost. These breakfast peanut butter banana oat bars make an excellent grab-and-go morning option with staying power.

Storage and Serving

Your Peanut Butter Banana Bars will stay fresh at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week—the chilled texture actually develops a delightful fudgy quality that many people prefer. You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months by wrapping individual pieces in plastic wrap and storing them in a freezer-safe container. Allow frozen bars to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or for about an hour at room temperature.

When it comes to serving, these versatile bars shine in multiple settings. For an elevated dessert presentation, warm each bar slightly and top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of warm peanut butter sauce. The temperature contrast creates a delightful sensory experience.

For a satisfying afternoon snack, pair a Peanut Butter Banana Bar with a cold glass of milk or hot cup of coffee. The combination of protein from the peanut butter and complex carbohydrates makes this an energy-boosting treat.

These bars also make an excellent addition to lunch boxes—simply wrap individual pieces in parchment paper for a treat that stays fresh and travels well without crumbling.

FAQs

Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Crunchy peanut butter works wonderfully in these Peanut Butter Banana Bars, adding delightful texture and more pronounced peanut flavor. You may need to add an extra tablespoon if the mixture seems dry, as crunchy varieties can be slightly less moist.

How ripe should my bananas be?
The riper, the better! Look for bananas with significant brown spotting or even completely brown peels. These bananas are sweeter, more flavorful, and easier to mash, resulting in moister bars with better banana flavor.

Can I make these bars vegan?
Yes! Replace eggs with flax eggs (2 tablespoons ground flaxseed mixed with 6 tablespoons water, let sit for 15 minutes). Ensure your peanut butter doesn’t contain honey, and verify your chocolate chips are vegan if adding them.

Why did my bars turn out dry?
Dry bars typically result from overbaking or measuring flour incorrectly. For accurate measurement, gently spoon flour into measuring cups and level with a knife rather than scooping directly with the measuring cup. Also, try reducing your bake time by 3-5 minutes next time.

Can I double this recipe for a larger batch?
Definitely! Double all ingredients and use a 9×13 inch pan instead. The baking time will need to be adjusted slightly—start checking about 5 minutes later than the original recipe suggests, looking for the same golden edges and set center.

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