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Peanut Butter Banana Bars

5 from 10 votes

Posted by Ashley

on Apr 18, 2024, Updated May 06, 2025

Looking for an easy, wholesome snack your toddler will actually eat? These healthy Peanut Butter Banana Bars are a soft, chewy, and naturally sweetened treat made with just five simple ingredients—ripe bananas, eggs, vanilla, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. There’s no added sugar! Perfect for busy mornings, after-school snacks, or lunchbox additions, these healthy banana bars are great for toddlers, kids, and even picky eaters. They’re freezer-friendly, high in fiber, and naturally dairy-free and flourless, making them a go-to snack for families on the go. Whether you’re using up overripe bananas or meal prepping for the week, these kid-friendly banana bars are a delicious and nourishing choice the whole family will love.

Why Peanut Butter Banana Bars are Great for Toddlers and Families

• Nutritious Ingredients: These bars are made with wholesome ingredients like peanut butter, bananas, and eggs, providing essential nutrients including protein, fiber, and healthy fats for growing toddlers and family members.
• Kid-Friendly Flavor: The combination of peanut butter and banana is a classic favorite among kids, making these bars a delicious and satisfying snack option for little ones.
• Easy to Make: With just a handful of ingredients and minimal preparation time, Peanut Butter Banana Bars are quick and convenient to whip up, perfect for busy parents and hungry toddlers.
• Versatile: Feel free to customize these bars by adding extras like chopped nuts, dried fruit, or shredded coconut for extra flavor and texture.
• Portable Snack: These bars are perfect for on-the-go snacking. Pack them in lunchboxes, take them to the park, or enjoy them as a mid-afternoon pick-me-up wherever you are.

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanut butter
• 2 mashed bananas
• 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

How to Make These Peanut Butter Bars

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease or line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, mashed bananas, vanilla extract, and eggs. Mix until all ingredients are well combined.
3. If using chocolate chips, fold them into the batter until evenly distributed.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
5. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the bars are set and golden brown around the edges.
6. Once baked, remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool in the baking dish for a few minutes before slicing into squares or rectangles.

Storing Leftover Peanut Butter Banana Bars

Any leftover bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can also freeze the bars individually wrapped in plastic wrap or aluminum foil for up to 1 month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Substitutions

Bananas: Very ripe bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, but you can substitute with unsweetened applesauce or mashed sweet potato for a similar soft texture and mild flavor.

Peanut Butter: For a nut-free version, swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or another seed-based alternative. Almond butter also works well if nuts aren’t an issue.

Chocolate Chips: Replace with chopped nuts, raisins, or fruit for added nutrition or variety. You can also leave them out entirely for a less sweet version.

Eggs: Swap the eggs for a flax egg.

Common Questions

Are these PB banana bars gluten-free?

• Yes, just make sure all your ingredients are labelled gluten-free!

Can I make them nut-free?

• Absolutely! Simply replace the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or another nut-free spread. Just be aware that the flavor may slightly differ.

How ripe should the bananas be?

• The riper, the better. Bananas with lots of brown spots work best—they’re sweeter, mash more easily, and help bind the bars together.

Can I make these healthy peanut butter bars into muffins?

• Yes! Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tin and bake at the same temperature. Bake them for 15 minutes, as muffins may bake slightly faster.

More Easy Recipes for Toddlers

Strawberry Oat Bars – Soft, fruity, and naturally sweetened, these Strawberry Oat Bars are a healthy toddler snack or breakfast. Made with wholesome oats and real strawberries, they’re easy to make and freezer-friendly.

Banana Bars – These chewy Banana Bars are made with just a few simple ingredients like ripe bananas, oats, and peanut butter. A healthy, no-fuss snack for toddlers and kids that’s naturally sweet and great for meal prep.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars – Packed with protein and fiber, these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars make a filling, kid-friendly snack or breakfast. They’re soft, satisfying, and perfect for on-the-go families.

Spinach Muffins – These naturally green Spinach Muffins are a fun and nutritious way to sneak in veggies. Lightly sweetened and toddler-approved, they’re perfect for breakfast or snack time.

I hope you love these easy peanut butter banana bars! If you do, tag me @reallittlemeals so I can see your yummy creations!

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5 from 10 votes

5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Banana Bars

These peanut butter banana bars are only five ingredients and are a perfect toddler snack! They are so yummy and easy to make!

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 18 minutes mins

Servings: 9 bars

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Equipment

• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 cup peanut butter
• ▢ 2 bananas, mashed
• ▢ 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
• ▢ 2 eggs
• ▢ 1/2 cup chocolate chips

US – Metric

Instructions 

• Preheat oven to 400 F.
• Add all ingredients except chocolate chips to a bowl. Mix by hand, or with a hand mixer or standing mixer.
• Mix in chocolate chips with a spoon.
• Grease a 8×8 baking dish or line with parchment paper. Pour the mixture in, making sure it fills in evenly and is smooth.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Enjoy!

Notes

Follow the same recipe to make muffins. Pour the batter into a muffin tin and bake at the same temperature for 15 minutes.

You can customize these bars by replacing the chocolate chips with fruit, raisins, or chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds for extra flavor and texture.

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to a week. To freeze them, wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap or foil, and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for a quick, easy snack!

Nutrition

Calories: 261kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 19g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0.003g, Cholesterol: 36mg, Sodium: 137mg, Potassium: 299mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 12g, Vitamin A: 70IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @reallittlemeals or tag #reallittlemeals!