Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars

By Jamie Vespa

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Bars offer all there is to love about a moist slice of banana bead in a grab-n-go bar. Gluten free, made with wholesome ingredients, and perfect for weekday breakfasts or snacks.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana ((from 3 to 4 brown specked bananas))
• 1/2 cup creamy almond butter ((sub peanut or cashew butter))
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks, divided
• 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350º F. Line an 8x8" or 9x9" baking pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2. 2

   Place bananas in a large bowl and use a potato masher or fork to throughly mash until the bananas are pureed. Add almond butter, eggs, and maple syrup; whisk to combine.

3. 3

   Add almond flour, oat flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt; stir to combine. Fold in 3/4 cup of the chocolate chips. Transfer batter to prepared baking dish; smooth the top with a spatula. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips and chopped walnuts overtop.

4. 4

   For 8x8" baking dish, bake for 32 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean. For 9x9" baking dish, bake for about 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 30 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack and let cool completely. Slice into 16 bars.*Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. (The bars get even better and more moist as they sit!)