100% Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Chocolate chip banana bars that are light, fluffy, delicious and healthy? You bet! So good, you’ll never guess these are made with whole wheat flour!

This is a recipe that has my kids absolutely running to the breakfast table any time I make it. Whole wheat chocolate chip banana bars – Yum!! It’s got all the deliciousness of chocolate chip banana bread + the nutrition of freshly milled whole wheat flour and zero processed sugar. We’re not compromising anything here!

Why You’re Going to Love These Chocolate Chip Banana Bars!

This recipe is a tried-and-true keeper that you’ll want to have saved in your recipe book. I’m not exaggerating when I say:

• Super-duper delicious! I promise these do not taste “100% whole wheat”, but they are!
• Amazing flavor and soft, fluffy, moist texture.
• Versatile! Prefer banana bread or banana muffins? No problem – use this same recipe!
• Healthy with no processed sugar (but that can be our little secret!).

I like to sum it up by saying that it’s good enough for dessert and healthy enough for breakfast. 🙂

What You’ll Need

Supplies

• A large mixing bowl and spoon or a stand mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Tool for mashing bananas. Fork, blender, food processor or immersion blender. (I prefer the smooth texture from a blender or food processor for best results.)
• 8×8 inch baking pan (or loaf pan, muffin tin, etc.)

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• 3 medium over ripe, spotty bananas
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup melted and cooled coconut oil
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

• 1.5 cups whole wheat flour (preferably freshly milled soft white wheat)
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional Mix-Ins

• 1/2 -3/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/3 cups chopped walnuts

How to Make Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease an 8×8 pan (or any closely equivalent size of loaf pan, muffin tin or baking sheet you want. If you double the recipe, it works great in a 9×13 baking dish.)
2. If using freshly milled flower, mill your flour just prior to baking for the best flavor and maximum nutrition.
3. Mash your bananas until there are no chucks left. For the best results, puree in a blender or a food processor.
4. Mix all the wet ingredients in a large bowl. This includes the mashed bananas, syrup, coconut oil, eggs, milk and vanilla.
5. To the same bowl, add your dry ingredients. This includes the flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6. Gently stir the wet and dry ingredients together with a whisk, until just combined.
7. Using a spatula, fold in your mix ins, reserving some to sprinkle on the top (if desired).
8. Add the batter to your prepared baking dish.
9. Sprinkle any mix ins on top of the batter, and place inside oven to bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. How long it cooks will depend on what vessel you are cooking in. The best thing to do is to watch it carefully. A finished banana bar will bounce back when touched lightly in the center of the pan. If using a loaf pan to make banana bread, you may need up to 45 minutes to bake. If using a shallow sheet pan, it will cook very quickly.

These healthy chocolate chip banana bars can be devoured while still warm and melty, or cooled to room temperature. They are irresistible either way!

Printable Chocolate Chip Banana Bars Recipe Card

Storing Your Bars

Chocolate chip banana bars make an excellent grab and go breakfast or snack.

If you have leftovers, these will store for 1 day in an airtight container or bag. For longer storage, cut into individual servings and place in a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to a month.

Be sure to completely cool your whole grain chocolate chip banana bars before storing.

Storage Tip: A frozen banana bread bar can be packed into a lunchbox and thaw before lunch time. The perfect treat!

Pro Baking Tips

• Freshly milled flour is best for both taste and nutrition. Click here to read about the health benefits and how easy it is to mill your own flour. However, if you aren’t able to mill your own flour, you can still make this recipe with store-bought flour and get fantastic results!
• I like to use soft white wheat for the lightest, most fluffy texture. It’s delicious!
• I use flax seed in this recipe for nutrition, and it also adds to that lovely, speckled banana bread look.
• A blender is your best friend when it comes to mashing bananas. It’s quick and easy and gives you the most even distribution of flavor and texture.
• I go banana-heavy on this recipe to get sweetness without needing a bunch of sugar. Choose bananas that are nicely speckled, but avoid the brown-mush stage, as that can leave a funny flavor. Mine are shown below for reference.

Shake It Up! Recipe Variations and Substitutions

This recipe was designed using soft white wheat. You can certainly swap it out for different flours (like an all purpose flour or an almond flour for a gluten free version) but your results may vary a bit.

Make this recipe with or without nuts and chocolate chips. If you’re in the mood for something more cake-like, try a nice cream cheese frosting instead.

I love making these whole grain chocolate chip banana bars in different forms. Try it as muffins, in a loaf pan, or double the recipe for 9×13 cake size.

More Delicious Whole Wheat Recipes and Tips

If you haven’t fallen in love this a recipe in a while, I invite you to try this one. It’s got it all – great flavor, texture and nutrition! Oh, and did I mention that it’s quick and easy to make too? Because it is!

Try these healthy, whole wheat chocolate chip banana bars today! Once you’re done enjoying your banana bars, try out one of these great recipes:

• 100% Whole Grain Sourdough Bread Made Simple
• 100% Whole Grain Spelt Sourdough Bread
• 100% Whole Grain Einkorn Sourdough Bread Simplified
• Honey Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
• Healthy Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
• The Best Bread Baking Supplies for Your Kitchen
• How to Choose the Best Yeast for Bread Making
• The Top 5 Healthy Grains to Mill at Home
• Should You Use Sunflower Lecithin in Bread?