Brown Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
These brown butter banana chocolate chip bars are made with nutty brown butter and ripe bananas. An easy one-bowl recipe that’s perfect for using up spotty bananas. Try t
Another reason to love vegetarian: Mud Hen Bars, Pie Plate Chocolate Chip Toffee Cookies, and Golden Grahams S’mores Bars.
What Makes These Banana Bars So Good
I made these brown butter banana chocolate chip bars for a party, and they vanished before I could grab a second one. The brown butter adds a nutty depth that plain melted butter just can’t match. Paired with ripe bananas and melty chocolate chips, these bars are tender, rich, and hard to stop eating. I’ve been known to hoard brown bananas just for this recipe.
Reasons to Love This Easy Banana Bars Recipe
- Brown butter adds a nutty, caramel-like flavor with zero extra effort.
- One bowl and 30 minutes in the oven, minimal cleanup and fast results.
- Uses up those spotty bananas sitting on your counter.
Key Ingredients for Brown Butter Banana Bars
- Unsalted butter: Browning the butter concentrates its flavor and adds a toasty note. Use unsalted so you control the salt level.
- Brown sugar: It adds moisture and a deeper molasses flavor compared to white sugar, which helps balance the bananas and butter.
- Overripe bananas: The darker the spots, the sweeter and more banana-forward the bars will be. Avoid green or barely yellow bananas.
Tools You’ll Need for This Recipe
- 8×8-inch square baking pan (glass or metal works fine)
- Medium skillet for browning butter
- Large mixing bowl and spatula
- Wire cooling rack
Tips for the Best Brown Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
Brown butter can go from nutty to burnt in seconds. Keep swirling the pan even after you pull it off the heat. If you see black specks, you’ve gone too far, start over. For the bananas, the riper the better. Black-spotted skins give you the most sweetness and moisture. Don’t overmix the batter once you add the flour; a few streaks are fine. Overmixing makes the bars tough.
Easy Variations for Banana Bars
Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate or white chocolate for a different sweetness. Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch. To make them dairy-free, use vegan butter that browns well (check the label) and dairy-free chocolate chips. If you prefer a milder banana flavor, use half the banana and add an extra splash of milk to keep the batter moist.
How to Serve These Banana Bars
These bars are great on their own, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns them into an easy dessert. For breakfast, warm one up and spread a little butter on top. They also pair nicely with a cold glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.
How to Store Leftover Banana Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate them, they’ll keep for up to a week. Place a sheet of wax paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Can You Freeze These Banana Bars?
Yes, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or warm in the microwave for 15 seconds.
Best Way to Reheat Banana Bars
For that fresh-from-the-oven taste, reheat bars in a 350°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes. The microwave works too, 10 to 15 seconds on high, but the edges may soften. Either way, the chocolate will get melty again.
Frequently Asked Questions About These Banana Bars
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes, but thaw them first and drain off any excess liquid. Frozen bananas release water when thawed, which can make the bars too moist if not drained.
Can I substitute salted butter?
You can, but reduce the added salt to 1/8 teaspoon. The butter already contains salt, and browning concentrates it, so you risk over-salting.
Why did my bars turn out dense?
Overmixing the flour develops gluten, which makes bars tough. Mix just until no dry streaks remain. Also, too little banana or too much flour can cause density.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend that contains xanthan gum. The texture may be slightly crumblier but still delicious.
Recipe
Brown Butter Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
These easy banana bars are made with brown butter and chocolate chips. They are full of flavor and a great way to use up ripe bananas.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter
- 0.75 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup mashed banana, mashed
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp baking powder
- 0.125 tsp baking soda
- 0.25 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-by-8-inch square baking pan nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- 2
First, brown the butter. Cut the butter into tablespoons. Place in a medium skillet. Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling it in the pan occasionally. The butter will foam and pop, so be careful. Continue to swirl the pan often. Remove pan from heat once the butter starts to brown and smells nutty. There will be small brown bits on the bottom. The butter should be an amber color.
- 3
In a large bowl, combine the browned butter and brown sugar. Stir until smooth. Add in the egg and stir until combined. Stir in the mashed banana and vanilla extract and stir until smooth.
- 4
Add the baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, and flour. Stir until just combined. Don’t over mix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
- 5
Pour batter into prepared baking pan, spreading into an even layer. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until center is set and edges are light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Place pan on a wire rack and let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calorie breakdown
How this was calculated — 10 of 10 ingredients matched
Nutrition information is automatically calculated from USDA FoodData Central, so should only be used as an approximation. Actual values may vary depending on the ingredients, brands, and preparation methods used.
Open in analyzerKeyword: nut-free, nutFree, Oven Baked, vegetarian
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