Easy Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

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These Banana Bars are so easy to make and have just four ingredients – it’s a great recipe for using up overripe bananas! Easy chocolate chip banana bars have a shortcut you are going to love – they are so easy you’ll want to make a batch every week.

stacked banana bars with chocolate chips baked in.

The BEST Banana Bars

When I realized this recipe for semi-homemade banana bars would work, I was so excited because it’s just so genius! Who would have guessed you can make 3-ingredient bars with Pillsbury cookie dough, overripe bananas, and chocolate chips? These bars are like a fluffy cookie married a banana cake bar that is perfectly sweet and super full of banana flavor.

If you have overripe bananas on your counter and are tired of making banana bread you need to make these bars. They have a soft texture and are rich with banana flavor, plus I added chocolate chips and a chocolate ganache frosting!

2 Main Ingredients Needed

Refrigerated sugar cookie dough – I use two rolls for this recipe. If you want to make a from-scratch dough, you can use my sugar cookie bar recipe. It just adds more work!
Ripe bananas – it’s better to use ones that have plenty of brown spots on the peel. Overripe bananas are sweeter and easier to break down.
Chocolate chips – use some in the bars and some for the chocolate glaze.
Heavy whipping cream – this is for the glaze. If you want plain bars, you won’t need it.

banana bar dough with chocolate chips in pan lined with foil.

How to Make Easy Banana Bars

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” baking pan with foil or parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Gather your ingredients.
Place bananas and sugar cookie dough in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. If you use a hand mixer or a wooden spoon, stir the cookie dough together with already mashed bananas in a large bowl.
Beat cookie dough and bananas until smooth. Stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Press batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
Place remaining 2 cups chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream in a microwave safe bowl or measuring cup. Heat for 1 minute on high power, then whisk until smooth. Pour over cooled bars, then chill to set frosting.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Expert Tips

Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, sprinkles, or M&MS to add another elements to these bars!
If you have overripe bananas, but aren’t ready to use them yet–put them in a plastic bag and freeze them for when you are ready.
The ganache is amazing, but you can also top these with a cream cheese frosting or a peanut butter frosting…or my favorite chocolate brown butter frosting!

FAQs

How long do banana bars last?

Store the bars in the refrigerator, and they will keep for up to three days.

Can you freeze them?

Yes, just place the frosted bars on a cookie sheet and freeze them for 30 minutes. Transfer them to a bag or container with a paper towel separating the layers. Thaw them in the fridge or at room temperature.