Low Calorie Chocolate Chip Banana Bars

Are you looking for the perfect treat that is low calorie and easy to make? Look no further than these low calorie chocolate chip banana bars. They’re sweet but without the guilt associated with high calorie desserts.

I’m a snacker, and the things I navigate to first involve salt, like chips, or chocolate, like oreos or chocolate chip cookies. Because of that, I was looking for something that would satisfy my sweet tooth without compromising my calorie intake thus this recipe! Plus, I’m at the age, post-kids and thirties, where I’m starting to worry more about what I’m putting into my body by focusing on less processed ingredients and also  increasing nutritional benefits of the foods I bake and eat.

That’s why these chocolate chip banana bars are the tasty ideal balance.  With the combination of mashed bananas and coconut sugar, they still satisfy the sweet tooth even without the chocolate chips. Buuuut, keep the chocolate chips. You deserve them.

These bars are the perfect breakfast or after workout snack. Combine them with Greek yogurt or ice cream to add a bit more deliciousness.

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 18-20 Minutes

Total Time: 38-40 Minutes

Yields: 12 Servings 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mashed bananas
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar (or normal for additional calories)
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted but cooled to room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground clove
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line an 8 x 8 inch baking pan with parchment paper
3. Coat lightly with non-stick cooking spray
4. Mash the bananas in a bowl. Make sure the bananas equal one cup. Too much could result in the bars not cooking thoroughly. Too little could result in dry bars.
5. Stir in sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and milk.
6. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, clove and salt.
7. Combine the dry and wet ingredients together and stir to combine.
8. Mix in 1/3 cup chocolate chips
9. Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and sprinkle with additional chocolate chips
10. Sprinkle with some cinnamon sugar
11. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until cooked. Use a toothpick to test it by inserting into bars and pulling out to ensure that it comes out clean.
12. Let cool before slicing into desired sized squares and enjoy!