A FAST and EASY dessert that is on the HEALTHIER side with only 1/4 cup butter and no oil!! Bold banana flavor, chewiness from the oats, and plenty of chocolate in every bite!!
2small/medium or 1 extra-large ripe bananasabout 1/2 heaping cup mashed banana
½cuplight brown sugarpacked
¼cupgranulated sugar
¼cupunsalted buttersoftened (1/2 of 1 stick)
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
1 ½cupsold-fashioned whole rolled oatsnot instant or quick-cook because they act more like flour and aren’t suitable here
1 ¼cupsall-purpose flour
½ to 1teaspooncinnamonadded to taste
½teaspoonbaking soda
¼teaspoonsaltor to taste
1 ¼cupssemi-sweet chocolate chipsdivided
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F, line an 9×9-inch pan with foil for easier cleanup, and spray with cooking spray; set aside.
To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or large mixing bowl and electric mixer) combine the egg, bananas (I leave them whole and don’t pre-mash them before adding to bowl), sugars, butter, vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until well combined, about 4 minutes. The mixture won’t be smooth, fluffy, or ‘creamed’ like traditional cookie dough and will have small chunks of bananas present and it’s on the runnier side.
Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and beat on low speed until just combined, about 1 minute.
Stop, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and add 1 cup chocolate chips, and beat on low speed until just combined, about 30 seconds.
Turn the dough out into prepared pan and using a spatula, spread it into a smooth, flat layer.
Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until just set. Bars firm up as they cool. Baking times may vary due to the moisture content variances in bananas, climate and oven variances; etc.
Allow bars to cool in the pan for 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 6 months.