These soft, chewy granola bars are so loaded with banana flavors and a double-delight of chocolate, you would never guess they’re on the healthy side!
Can we talk about that one time Sarah went absolutely nuts-o crazy with the bananas? I believe it was a Wednesday a few weeks ago…
Yeah, well that particular Wednesday must have unknowingly to me, been National Banana Day in my head or something because I somehow managed to pump out four completely different recipes using all those overripe ‘nanners sitting on my counter.
I’m telling ‘ya. I was a MACHINE that afternoon. Those 15 overripe bananas were no match for Sarah The Banana-Ninja.
My mom questioned my sudden banana-fever, but I just said: trust me—this craze will pass soon and then we’ll have lots of face-stuffing business to take care of.
Not a bad deal….
Case-in-point. These pancakes, these smoothies, this banana bread, and last but not least, these granola bars today.
Are you worried about my sanity level yet? Nahhhh…it’s all good.
Now, shall we talk about the time that Sarah fell in love with a granola bar? That has to be my most finest moment in my whole food blogging career.
Yes, I’ve fallen in love with cookies, and brownies, and even brownies-in-cookie form; but granola bars? THEY’RE SKINNY-FIED AND HEALTHY, YO. So I can hang out and stuff my face with them every day if I want to!!
Like today for instance. Thursday is an eat-all-the-granola-bars-for-lunch kinda day so you’re all perky and energized for the weekend coming up pretty quick here.
They personally make me positively giddy as you can probably see by now…
And WOOT WOOT. You don’t even have to deal with all that granola-bar-guilt, since these little babies are not only the best dang granola bars on the planet, but they’re complete-and-total health food.
Hint, hint. Have two while you still can. They’re gonna vanish and they’re gonna vanish, *snaps fingers* just like that.
Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty deets about these granola bars. That should take all of about 10 seconds since these little guys are pretty much the basic of the basic.
You’re gonna need to grab your quick-cooking oats first off. I use quick-cooking oats in nearly ALL my granola bars, since this tends to produce a granola bar that is less tough, and break-your-tooth textur-ized, and more uber-soft and massage-your-teeth kinda chewy.
K, that was kinda weird…Moving right along here…
I found that I didn’t even need to add that much sweetener to these granola bars, since the overripe bananas lend plenty of sweetness. 1/4 cup coconut sugar and 1/4 cup honey combined with the naturally-sweet bananas is the perfect blend of sweetness in these bars. Not too sweet, but not bitter-chocolate-sweet either.
On top of this, be sure to grab your wheat bran (I loooooove this stuff!), cocoa powder, mashed bananas, (two of your biggest and ripest!) a pinch of salt, vanilla for flavor, an egg to hold everything together, and then as many chocolate chips as your chocolate-lovin’ heart desires.
Regarding that last chocolate-chip part, feel free to just DUMP. The more chocolate the merrier. ♥
From there, your bars are just baked until nice and golden. Then you’re gonna want to cool ’em completely before cutting into bars, otherwise well, melty chocolate will get all over the place, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, right?!
This is seriously it, guys! Healthy stuff doesn’t have to be complicated. Living proof right here.
Say ‘yo to your new favorite easy-peasy breakfast, or mid-day best friend, or workout energy-boost, or possibly even your healthiest-yet midnight snack.
You know it. 😀
Skinny Double-Chocolate Banana Granola Bars
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 4 cups quick-cooking oats
- 1/4 cup wheat bran
- 1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, wheat bran, sugar, cocoa, and salt. In a separate large bowl, whisk mashed bananas, honey, egg, and vanilla.
- Pour liquid mixture over dry mixture and gently stir until just moistened and combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Evenly press mixture into prepared baking pan.
- Bake granola bars at 350F 30 minutes or until firm and edges start to brown. Cool granola bars in pan completely before removing and cutting into bars.
Notes
More granola bars? Um, always. 😉
No-Bake Chocolate Sunflower Seed Granola Bars — Running with Spoons
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Keep the banana recipes comin’ because they’re my favorite! These granola bars look amazing, Sarah! I love the chocolate and banana combo. And the fact that they’re healthier means that I can indulge in one or two more without feeling guilty! 🙂 Such a great breakfast or snack to grab ‘n go!
Sarah says
Thanks Gayle! I’m positive that you’d love these granola bars! You must try them. 🙂
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
You were one busy lady with all those bananas. Keep the recipes coming, I love bananas! I love that these granola bars are skinny! That means I can have more than one while still maintaining my figure, right. 😉
Sarah says
Yes! Totally have two bars! They’re healthy. 🙂
Keri says
I love chocolate and banana together! Great idea for granola bars – great photos, too! 🙂
Sarah says
Thank you Keri!! 🙂
Aimee @ Like mother like daughter says
Oh my gosh, what? I need these in my life. I see no problem with making banana granola bars, bread and pancakes in the same week!
Sarah says
The more banana recipes the merrier right?! 😉 Thanks Aimee!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Haha yay for banana recipes, keep them coming! Love these skinny granola bars, they look gorgeous and the chocolate and banana combo is perfect! Totally wish I had a few right now to snack on 🙂
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly! If I had any extras I would totally send them to you!! LOL. 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
How have I never had a granola bar with banana in it? It sounds amazing! And my favorite oatmeal has banana in it, so I can only imagine how great these taste. Can’t wait to give them a try!
Sarah says
The banana really does so much flavor-wise in these granola bars! Seriously so good. 🙂 LMK if you try these, Nat!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
Keep the banana recipes coming Sarah, we can’t have enough! Love these granola bar, this is my favorite kind of treat – one that I can eat without worrying much about the calories! 😀 Pinned.
Sarah says
Thanks Manali! Have an awesome Friday. 🙂
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
Please keep all the bananas recipes coming because I TOTALY LOVE them. These bars are just perfect!! Pinning it for later.
Sarah says
Thanks for the sweet words and for pinning, Olivia! 🙂
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
I just can’t get enough homemade granola bar recipes, and I’m super excited to add this one to my to-try list! I love that you used banana to add some natural sweetness. I agree, the more chocolate chips, the merrier!
Sarah says
If you love making your own granola bars, this is definitely a recipe you need to try, Kristine!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Sarah The Banana-Ninja . . haha, I love it!! and love these granola bars! love that you used mashed bananas in there!!
Sarah says
Haha! Thanks Alice! xoxoxo
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
What, there is a Banana Day? I only wish it fell on the same day as NUTELLA DAY, right?!?!
Sarah says
Haha! That’s an excellent point! 🙂
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
Love that you used mashed bananas in a granola bar! I’ve used them in all kinds of things, but never granola bars. They look amazing!
Sarah says
The banana is really amazing in these granola bars, Christin! Can’t beat the flavors. 🙂 Thanks friend!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
I’ve tried making granola bars before, but they weren’t a big hit with the kids. I’ll have to give these a try.
Sarah says
Definitely let me know if you try these granola bars and how your kids like them, Kathy! 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum! I’m putting up a banana/chocolate recipe soon 🙂 These look amazing! So healthy 🙂
Sarah says
Can’t wait for your recipe, Medha!
Jill says
If you don’t eat wheat could rice Krispy be substituted?
Sarah says
In place of the wheat bran, I would suggest just adding an additional 1/4 cup oats.
Jill says
Okay great!!! Your site is great, love the recipes
Sarah says
Thank you Jill!
Amanda says
Could you use oat bran in place of wheat bran?
Sarah says
Yes, that would be fine!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says
15 overripe bananas?! You sure did them justice in all those recipes! I’m especially fond of these banana granola bars! So fun!
Sarah says
Haha thanks girl! No such thing as too many overripe bananas, right? 😉