Easy Banana Bars Recipe

These super easy banana bars are in my Top 3 favorite dessert recipes ever. They are super delicious, beyond easy to make and the best way to use up ripe bananas!

Original post: January 2016 | Updated: March 2023

Why This Recipe Works

• Every single time I make a batch of these delicious banana bars, the get devoured.
• This recipe produces the most moist banana bars that are such a delicious treat, with the best flavor you can imagine.
• The frosting could be its own delicious dessert.
• These fluffy banana bars are such an easy recipe, requiring just a few simple ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
• These are the best banana bars you’ll ever taste and this is such a perfect way to use up ripe bananas.

Recipe Ingredients

Butter – Either salted or unsalted butter may be used in this recipe.

Brown sugar – Use either light brown sugar or dark brown sugar for both the bars and the frosting.

Egg – Allow the egg to sit at room temperature for a minimum of 30 minutes before adding it to the mixing bowl.

Bananas – Mash the bananas before adding them to the mixing bowl. For best results, use ripe bananas that are just slightly past their prime.

Maple syrup – This ingredient is the star of the show, in my opinion! Use real maple syrup whenever possible.

How To Make Easy Banana Bars

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper. Lightly spray with cooking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, cream the butter, light brown sugar, egg and vanilla.

Mix on medium speed using an electric hand mixer until creamy.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix well and gradually add to batter. Mix until incorporated. Add 2 mashed ripe bananas and stir until combined. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Spread the batter evenly in the pan with a spatula and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top of the bars should be golden brown. Let cool completely.

Step 3

While the bars are baking and cooling, prepare the maple browned butter frosting. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, brown sugar, salt and vanilla. Mix well. Gradually pour in the maple syrup while mixing.

Beat on medium-high speed until frosting is fluffy and smooth, about 2 minutes.

Once the bars have cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Refrigerate frosted banana bars until ready to serve and cut into small squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe Notes

• Half of the brown sugar in the bars can be replaced with granulated sugar, if desired.
• Make chocolate chip banana bars by adding 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips to the batter or by sprinkling mini chocolate chips over the top of the frosting.
• 1/2 cup peanut butter would be a delicious addition to the batter!
• Add up to 1/2 cup sour cream to the batter for a silky smooth and enhanced flavor.
• Let both butter and egg sit at room temperature for 30 minutes if at all possible.
• Make a double batch of the bars and frost the second batch with this irresistible cream cheese frosting.

What To Make With Ripe Bananas

• Throw them in a blender along with ice, milk and peanut butter to create a delicious peanut butter banana smoothie.
• This Banana Bread recipe is tried, tested, delicious and EASY! Great way to use up those ripe bananas staring at you from your counter!
• Banana Muffins are a delicious way to use up ripe bananas. You will love the crumb topping with brown sugar as an afternoon treat on these tender muffins. So tasty you may want to find friends to send them too!
• Pumpkin AND bananas join forces in this tasty Pumpkin Banana Bread! This is a great fall treat and your house has never smelled so good.
• Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies – Adding bananas to Chocolate Chip Cookies is a great way to use up ripe bananas! This is one of my favorite banana desserts to make using leftover bananas.
• Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is my favorite delicious twist on Banana Bread! Cream cheese makes EVERYTHING better.

How To Store Bananas

Leave bananas in their cute little bunches on the counter or hanging from a banana tree. Keeping them at room temperature is optimal when they are not yet past their prime.

Some grocery stores will do this for you, but if you wish to extend the life of the banana wrap the stems in plastic wrap.

Once they start to show signs of ripeness (brown or even black spots), throw them into the fridge if you know you’ll be using them in a recipe in the next few days.

How Long Do Bananas Last in the Fridge

When stored in the fridge, bananas will stay fresh for up to 7 days. Typically, bananas are stored at room temperature.

Over Ripe vs Rotten Bananas

Overripe bananas and rotten bananas have similarities, but there are some ways to differentiate between the two.

Over-ripe bananas feel soft when gently squeeze and may have brown spots on the peel. At this stage, they are perfect for baking or making smoothies, as they are sweet and easy to mash.

Rotten bananas have a strong and unpleasant odor. The might have a dark brown or black appearance, and the fruit inside is very mushy and discolored. Toss rotten brown bananas immediately in order to avoid food poisioning.

If you don’t have a plan in the near future for using ripe bananas, put them in the freezer. Before you freeze them, it is ideal to remove them from the peel first. It also works to just toss the entire fruit in the freezer, if you don’t want to mess with a peel at this point.

When you are ready to use them in a recipe, allow them to thaw completely before mashing and adding them to your next batch of baked goods.

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