4 Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

These Banana Chocolate Chip Bars are oatmeal bars that everyone will love! They are gluten-free, vegan, and only 4 ingredients! These bars are perfect for snacking on or for anytime of the day.

After making my viral 4 Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies, I knew I had to make a bar version soon!

These bars come together in one bowl super quickly. They bake up in an 8x8 pan, but you could also cut the recipe in half and bake them in a 9x5 pan.

I like to bake these ahead of time and keep them in the fridge as a grab n' go snack on my way out the door.

This is a great recipe to make when you’ve got leftover bananas!

For more banana recipes, try Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Blueberry Banana Bread Muffins, and Banana Cinnamon Roll Cake.

Jump to:

• Why this recipe works
• Ingredients Notes
• Step by step instructions
• Expert Baking Tips
• FAQ
• Check out more banana recipes
• 4 Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

Why this recipe works

• 4 ingredients - Only four simple ingredients are required!
• Allergen-friendly - This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
• Easy to make - Simple ingredients, one bowl, and one spatula required.

Ingredients Notes

Full recipe and ingredients are in the recipe card below. Feel free to scroll through this section to view the four ingredients we’re using!

• Bananas - The more brown spots on the banana, the better. We'll be using 5 medium-sized bananas in this recipe.
• Chocolate - I recommend dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Chopped chocolate works as well. You may also completely omit these. These are my favourite gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan chocolate chips.
• Oats - Quick or rolled oats work great for this recipe.
• Peanut Butter - Use creamy peanut butter. Natural is too runny.
• Vanilla - This is also optional, but if you want your bars to have a bit of vanilla flavouring to them, add in 1 tbsp.

Step by step instructions

Here is how to make and bake these banana chocolate chip bars. You will need an 8×8 square pan lined with parchment paper, three mixing bowls, and a spatula.

Step 1 – Prep. Grease the pan. For easy removal of the blondies, place parchment paper on the bottom and 2 sides of the pan. Grease again and then set aside. Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2 - Mix banana and peanut butter. Add the mashed bananas and peanut butter into a large bowl and mix until well combined. It's okay if it's lumpy.

Step 3 - Add in oats. Mix in the oats until well and evenly coated. If you're adding in vanilla, now would be the time to do so.

Step 4 - Add in chocolate. Mix in whatever type of chocolate you decided to use. You can also leave this out completely or substitute it for nuts, raisins, or anything other add-in.

Step 5 - Spread evenly. Spread into the prepared 8x8 pan evenly. Then sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.

Step 6 - Bake. Bake the bars for 20-25 minutes. Mine took 25 minutes exactly. You'll know they're ready when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean with no batter.

Allow the bars to cool before slicing. As they cool, they continue to set and bake. Then slice, and enjoy!

Expert Baking Tips

Here are five awesome baking tips from my kitchen to yours

• Creamy peanut butter must be used. Natural is too runny.
• Immediately after baking, leave in the pan to cool before slicing. The inside is still super soft and needs to set!
• Use quick oats or large flake oats (also known as rolled oats). I cannot guarantee results with other kinds!
• Chocolate chips may be substituted for any other add-in (such as nuts, raisins, etc), or completely left out!
• Use fresh bananas, not frozen ones.

FAQ

Can I use frozen bananas that have thawed?

No, the excess liquid from the frozen bananas will make the cookies too runny. Fresh, ripe bananas must be used.

My bars didn't set!

You probably haven’t baked them long enough! Insert a toothpick and let it come out clean to know it's ready. Also, gently pressing the top of the bar while it’s still in the oven to see if it's not sticky works too.

My bars are falling apart!

Given that they were baked for long enough, make sure that the bars come back down to room temperature before slicing. As they cool, they continue to bake from the warmth of the pan.

How do I half this recipe?

You can half this recipe and bake in a 9x5. You'll need to use the following measurements: 3 ripe bananas, 1/3 cup creamy peanut butter, 1 1/4 cups oats, and 1/2 cup chocolate chips. The baking time should be roughly the same, 20-25 minutes, but check up on them after the 20 minute mark!

Check out more banana recipes

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