Flourless Peanut Butter Banana Bars (Print Version)
Naturally moist bars combining ripe bananas with creamy peanut butter for a rich, gluten-free treat ready in 32 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
02 - 1 cup creamy peanut butter
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
05 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ Spices & Add-ins
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
08 - 1/2 tsp baking soda
09 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, peanut butter, eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and well incorporated.
03 - Add the cinnamon, salt, and baking soda to the wet mixture. Stir thoroughly until no dry pockets remain.
04 - Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips if desired, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
05 - Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly with a spatula to create a uniform layer.
06 - Bake for 20-22 minutes until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
07 - Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into 8 even portions.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These bars taste like a cross between banana bread and peanut butter cookies but somehow more comforting than either
- The texture is incredibly moist and fudgy without a single grain of flour
- You can throw them together in under ten minutes with ingredients you probably already have
02 -
- Overripe bananas are non-negotiable here, underripe bananas make these taste oddly vegetal and starchy
- The batter will feel impossibly thick but resist the urge to add liquid, they bake up perfectly moist
03 -
- Rotate the pan halfway through baking for even browning, the peanut butter can cause uneven cooking
- Letting the batter rest for 10 minutes before baking helps the baking soda activate fully