Description
Looking for a delicious treat? Try these Peanut Butter Banana Bars! Easy to make and perfect for a snack or dessert. Discover the recipe now!
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
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.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg