These Fudgy Banana Blondie Bars with Chocolate Chips are a delicious twist on the classic banana bread. With their moist, brownie-like texture and rich banana flavor, they’re studded with melty chocolate chips in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a midday snack, they’re a crowd-pleaser every time. Unlike your usual loaf, these bars are baked in a single layer for the ultimate chewy texture. They’re incredibly easy to whip up in one bowl and come together in less than an hour. Whether you’re trying to use up ripe bananas or just craving something sweet, these bars are the answer.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
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1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
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1 cup (200g) packed light brown sugar
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1 large egg, room temperature
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1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
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1/2 tsp fine salt
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1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
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1 cup (250g) mashed overripe banana (about 2 large bananas)
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3/4 cup (125g) chocolate chips, chopped
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.
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In a mixing bowl or stand mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
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Add the egg, vanilla, and salt, mixing until well combined.
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Gently mix in the flour until just incorporated.
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Fold in the mashed bananas, followed by the chocolate chips, saving a few chips to sprinkle on top.
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top and sprinkling with the reserved chocolate chips.
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Bake for 33–37 minutes, rotating halfway through, until golden and set in the center.
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Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 16 squares.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 193 kcal | Servings: 16 bars
The Story Behind Fudgy Banana Blondie Bars with Chocolate Chips
When you think of banana desserts, the first thing that comes to mind is probably banana bread. It’s nostalgic, comforting, and perfect for using up ripe bananas. But what if there was a way to keep all that warm, familiar flavor and give it a rich, chewy upgrade? Enter the Fudgy Banana Blondie Bars with Chocolate Chips — a hybrid creation inspired by the texture of brownies, the sweetness of blondies, and the banana-forward flavor we all love.
This recipe was born out of necessity. Like many of us, I found myself with too many overripe bananas. While banana bread was the usual go-to, I wanted something more indulgent — something dessert-worthy yet not overwhelmingly heavy. These bars deliver just that. They’re golden, gooey, and have the perfect balance of sweetness, chocolate, and natural banana flavor.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, this is a great recipe to add to your collection — reliable, forgiving, and absolutely delicious.
What Makes These Banana Blondie Bars So Special?
There are a few key elements that set this recipe apart from traditional banana desserts.
First, the texture. These bars are chewy and slightly fudgy, thanks to the high ratio of moist banana and the perfect blend of fat and sugar. Unlike banana bread, which tends to be fluffy and cake-like, these bars offer a dense, almost brownie-like bite — but without cocoa powder.
Second, the ease of preparation. You only need one bowl, a handful of pantry staples, and about 10 minutes of prep time. No need for complicated techniques or multiple mixing bowls. You can even make it without a mixer — just a whisk and some arm strength.
Third, the flexibility. This recipe is highly adaptable. Want to make it vegan? Swap the egg for a flaxseed egg. Need it gluten-free? Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. Watching your sugar intake? Replace half of the brown sugar with mashed bananas or coconut sugar. You’ll still end up with a tender, delicious treat.
The Power of Overripe Bananas in Baking
Many people throw away bananas once they’ve turned brown and spotty, not realizing that this is when they’re at their most powerful in baking. Overripe bananas contain more sugar due to the breakdown of starch, making them ideal for creating naturally sweet and flavorful baked goods.
In this recipe, ripe bananas provide moisture, which helps avoid the need for extra butter or oil. They also enhance the flavor profile, offering depth and richness without overpowering the dish. Lastly, their soft texture allows them to blend seamlessly into the batter, resulting in a smooth and uniform consistency.
If you only have yellow bananas on hand, there’s a handy trick: bake them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 15 minutes until the skins turn black. Once cooled, they’ll be soft, fragrant, and ready to mash — almost as good as naturally ripened ones!
Healthier Baking Without Sacrificing Flavor
It’s easy to label dessert as unhealthy, but this recipe proves that indulgence and wellness can coexist. With a few clever swaps, these bars can become a more nutritious treat.
- Butter Substitution: Replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce or coconut oil to reduce saturated fat and calories.
- Natural Sweeteners: Instead of using only brown sugar, try incorporating coconut sugar or extra mashed banana. These alternatives have a lower glycemic index and bring added nutrients.
- Boosted Fiber: Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds to sneak in fiber without changing the texture.
- Vegan Option: Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water, mixed and rested) and plant-based butter or coconut oil to make it entirely vegan.
Despite being lower in refined ingredients, the end result is still rich, chewy, and deeply satisfying.
Tips for Baking the Perfect Banana Blondie Bars
While this recipe is simple and beginner-friendly, a few pro tips can elevate your results:
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until combined. Overmixing can develop the gluten and result in tough, rubbery bars.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps everything blend more smoothly, especially when mixing by hand.
- Line Your Pan: Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing.
- Chop the Chocolate Chips: This ensures the chocolate melts more evenly into the bars and gives you little pockets of gooeyness in every bite.
- Let It Cool Completely: The bars will firm up as they cool. Cutting them too soon can cause them to fall apart or stick to the knife.
Ways to Customize Your Banana Blondie Bars
Part of the charm of this recipe is how easy it is to customize. You can make it your own with fun mix-ins and flavor upgrades:
- Add Nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans add a lovely crunch and contrast to the fudgy texture.
- Spice It Up: A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg brings warm, cozy notes.
- Swirl in Nut Butter: A swirl of peanut butter, almond butter, or even Nutella across the top before baking adds a gourmet finish.
- Top It Off: Sprinkle with sea salt, toasted coconut, or a drizzle of dark chocolate once cooled.
You can also double the batch and bake it in a 9×13-inch pan for larger gatherings or events.
Storing and Serving Suggestions
These bars are ideal for make-ahead baking. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for a week. They also freeze beautifully — just layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a sealed container or zip-top bag. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Serve them as a casual snack, a sweet breakfast treat with your morning coffee, or a crowd-pleasing dessert at gatherings. They’re also lunchbox-friendly and make a great after-school snack for kids.
To elevate the experience, warm a square for 10 seconds in the microwave and pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Why Fudgy Banana Blondie Bars Are Better Than Banana Bread
While banana bread has earned its place in many kitchens, these blondie bars offer something different — and arguably better. Their compact size, chewy texture, and dessert-worthy flavor make them perfect for gifting, potlucks, or simply keeping on hand when cravings strike.
Unlike banana bread, which can sometimes be too moist or overly dense, these bars strike the perfect balance: soft and chewy on the inside with golden, slightly crisp edges. They slice cleanly, travel well, and don’t require a knife and fork to enjoy.
Their combination of simplicity, versatility, and bold flavor makes them a smart upgrade from the usual banana-based treats.
Conclusion
The Fudgy Banana Blondie Bars with Chocolate Chips are more than just a way to use up ripe bananas — they’re a delicious reinvention of banana desserts that deliver on texture, taste, and satisfaction. Whether you’re baking for yourself, your family, or a crowd, these bars are guaranteed to impress without causing stress. From the rich banana flavor to the gooey chocolate chip pockets and the perfectly chewy bite, every square is a little bite of homemade joy.
If you’ve been looking for a new way to celebrate the humble banana, this recipe might just be your new favorite. Try it once, and you’ll be baking it on repeat.
