Description
Classic peanut butter banana bars combine creamy texture with nutty richness for a satisfying dessert. Home bakers can enjoy this simple treat that delivers comfort and deliciousness in each delightful square.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ¼ cups (113 grams / 4 oz) instant or quick-cooking oats
- 3 bananas (super ripe)
- ¼ cup (59 milliliters / 2 fl oz) smooth, natural peanut butter
- ½ cup (85 grams / 3 oz) chocolate chips
- ½ tsp (2.5 grams / 0.09 oz) baking powder
- 1 tsp (5 milliliters / 0.17 fl oz) vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp (1.5 grams / 0.05 oz) salt
Instructions
- Prep Station: Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare loaf pan with parchment paper or light grease to prevent sticking.
- Banana Transformation: Mash ripe bananas into a smooth puree, minimizing lumps for a consistent texture.
- Flavor Fusion: Blend peanut butter and vanilla extract into the banana mixture, creating a glossy, uniform base.
- Dry Ingredient Integration: Thoroughly mix rolled oats, salt, and baking powder into the banana-peanut butter blend, ensuring even distribution.
- Chocolate Incorporation: Strategically fold most chocolate chips into the batter, reserving some for topping, to create delightful chocolate pockets.
- Pan Arrangement: Carefully spread batter in the prepared loaf pan, leveling the surface with a spatula for even baking.
- Decorative Topping: Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips across the batter’s surface for an appetizing finish.
- Baking Performance: Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness with a clean knife inserted into the center.
- Cooling and Serving: Allow bars to cool completely in the pan for optimal setting, then slice into 6-8 servings, revealing a moist, chocolatey interior.
Notes
- Choose Perfectly Ripe Bananas: Select bananas with brown spots for maximum sweetness and easier mashing, which intensifies the natural banana flavor in the bars.
- Prevent Dry Texture: Avoid overmixing the batter to maintain moisture and ensure a tender, soft consistency that melts in your mouth.
- Customize Chocolate Distribution: Reserve some chocolate chips for topping to create an Instagram-worthy presentation and guarantee chocolate in every bite.
- Store for Freshness: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week, maintaining their delicious texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg