If you are craving banana bread but don’t want to wait too long to make it, then you should try these easy banana bars without frosting recipe.
It is more like a banana cake, but a little light and fluffy, and also thinner than a loaf.
Plus, these banana bars have all the flavor and soft texture on their own.
So they don’t need toppings to make you feel like you are eating something special.
In fact, I made it for myself. And, every time I ate them, I didn’t think that I should consider frosting. Not even once.
They are naturally sweet, soft, and slightly chewy at the edges. You can serve your tea, chai, coffee, etc., or even during the night. It would be a good snack.
Also read: Chocolate Lava Mug Cake 3 Ingredients (No Eggs Needed)
Why I Love These Banana Bars (And You Will Too)
Most banana bars that we buy online, like from Amazon, other platforms, or even stores, are either dry or need some effort, like creaming, butter, making, frosting, etc.
So, it is not the same with this easy banana bars without frosting recipe.
I like them because these bars are super simple. No frosting, no butter, no creaming, no mixer.
You just wanna mix, bowl, pour, and bake, that’s it.
It has banana flavor and smells, of course, a soft, sponge-like texture that doesn’t dry even if you keep it for a couple of days.
Besides this, you can serve it plain, make it for kids, or cut it into small squares and freeze it to eat later.
So, if you want something sweet, banana flavored, and also something crowd-friendly, you can just go with these easy banana bar recipes without frosting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here is the list of all the ingredients that you’re going to need to make easy banana bars without frosting.
And yes, you can double the batch if you are baking for a family.
- 2 large ripe bananas: They need to be very ripe, like brown spotted; these types of bananas make these bars naturally sweet and moist.
- 1/2 cup white sugar: Just enough to keep your recipe sweet but not overly sugary, as bananas are already sweet.
- 1/4 cup brown sugar: It will give a deeper flavor and softness.
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil: It will Keep your homemade banana bar moist without even using butter. Btw you can use melted butter if you want, but I personally use oil as it gives a lighter texture.
- 2 large eggs: It will help with binding and give structure to your banana recipe
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: You don’t want to skip this as it will add depth.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Don’t over-pack your cup; use level measurement.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional: 1/2 tsp cinnamon: If you like a banana bread-ish taste, cinnamon will help you achieve that taste. However, I didn’t use that.
Also read: Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies
How to Make Banana Bars Without Frosting
Follow these simple steps, and you can make these banana bars without frosting. You don’t need a mixer. Just one bowl. That’s it.
Step 1: Mash the Bananas
You wanna take a big bowl and mash your ripped bananas using a fork.
If your bananas are super soft, they will mash very easily. I usually mash them until there are no big chunks in them.
And I also don’t blend them. Now it’s your choice if you want or not, but I don’t, as it’s easy. I don’t wash more than one bowl.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
You have to add:
- Both sugar (white and brown)
- Oil
- Eggs,
- Vanilla into the mashed bananas.
And then again, mix everything together until they are not properly combined. You don’t need to beat them too much; just mix until they are smooth.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
Now add the following ingredients:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Cinnamon if using
Firstly, you just want to sprinkle all of them on the top and then stir all the ingredients together. You want to mix until you no longer see dry flour but don’t overmix too.
Step 4: Pour Into Pan
Now, you have to grease a pan (approx 10 inches) or (line it with parchment paper).
Then, Pour the batter in and spread it out properly. It will be a thin layer.
Step 5: Bake
You can bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes. The last time I cooked, it took me 22 minutes.
But You can test by inserting a toothpick; if it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, it’s done.
Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing.
Also read: Homemade Dubai Chocolate Recipe – Inspired by Costco’s Bouchard
Ingredient Substitutes
If you don’t have all the ingredients available in the kitchen and you want to make this recipe, here are some alternatives that you can try.
- Vegetable Oil: Instead of this, you can use melted butter; it’ll give your recipe a rich flavor, but it will have a little dense texture.
- Brown Sugar: If you don’t have it, just use white sugar, but try to add just a little amount, like a tiny drizzle; bananas are already sweet.
- Flour: You can use whole wheat flour; the bars will be a bit thick and less fluffy but still very good.
- Eggs: If you’re vegan or just want an egg-free version, then I recommend you use 1/4 cup plain yogurt per egg or just use flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 2.5 tbsp water per egg).
- Cinnamon: You can skip this if you don’t want banana bread vibes.
Keep in mind that If you use any of these ingredients substitutes, they will affect the softness and taste of your homemade banana bars.
But they’re still good if you’re making a diet-based version.
Texture and Taste
These banana bars are soft in the center, light, and not dense at all.
The edges are a little golden and chewy.
So when I eat it, it tastes like a real banana and is not overpowered by sugar or spices.
That’s why I even said earlier: you don’t even need frosting. It’s kind of like banana cake and blondies having a baby.
What to Serve With Banana Bars Without Frosting
Although these bananas are good on their own, you don’t even have to eat them with anything; you can just eat them plain.
However, if you are in the mood to pair it with something, here is what I would like to try, and I have already tried the first option.
- Hot Chai or Coffee: Since bars are naturally sweet and soft, a strong tea or espresso-style coffee will balance everything.
- Greek Yogurt or Vanilla Ice Cream: If you want to experience a dessert plate, then you should add a scoop of yogurt, or you can even have ice cream on the side.
- Drizzle of Maple Syrup or Honey: I’ve done this too, especially when my mom and I served guests; it makes the bar feel gourmet without doing too much.
- Fresh fruits: I like strawberries, but you can use your favorite fruit, like orange slices, for citrus contrast or something else.
Lastly, you can also have peanut butter to include more nutrition in your snacks. You’d have to spread a thin layer on the bar, and it will become a protein snack.
Also read: Homemade Starbucks-Style Dubai Chocolate Drink
Variations You Can Try (Optional)
If you are like me, who sometimes gets bored after cooking one type of recipe multiple times, or even if not bored, then sometimes just want to do some experiment.
So, here are a few twists that you can try with these easy banana bars without frosting recipes.
- Add chocolate chips: I sometimes add 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, as I like sweets but not too much, as I’m health conscious, but I love chocolate.
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans: For crunch.
- Add shredded coconut: You want to add this. If you like tropical flavor and just this, you can add cashews, pistachios, etc.
- Use whole wheat flour: It works very well, but it will make your banana bars a little dense.
- Top with powdered sugar: If you really want to make it a little dressy, you can dust some icing sugar before serving, which you can do when you’re making the recipe on a special occasion.
However, I personally like it plain, as that’s how this recipe was born anyway, but sometimes I just try. I’ve given you many options, but I didn’t try all of them, just a few I did.
How to Store Banana Bars
You can store your easy banana bars without frosting at room temperature for up to 3 days.
But you want to keep them in an airtight container so that they can stay soft for up to 3 days.
However, if you want to make them one time and enjoy them for a week, then you should keep them in an airtight container.
And you have to keep that air in that container in the fridge.
But every time, you would want to reheat for a few seconds to make them soft again.
Lastly, if you want them for a month, then you need to wrap them individually and freeze them. They will be okay for 2 months.
Also read: Homemade Nespresso-Style White Chocolate Strawberry Drink
Homemade Banana Bars Nutrition Facts
This nutritional value is per bar (if you cut into 12 pieces from around 10 inches pan):
- Calories: 140
- Carbs: 20g
- Fat: 5.5g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
Note: The actual nutritional value might also be different based on the sugar or flour you will use.
But overall, this is a light, snackable banana treat you won’t feel guilty about.
Final Thoughts
This was easy banana bars without frosting recipe. It’s soft and fluffy, with no mess, no mixer, and no fancy topping, just a bowl and a few ingredients,
If you’re tired of making banana bread, whenever your bananas go brown, just switch to these.
You can serve them plain, store them for days, weeks, or even months; with methods that I share, like freezing them, plus you can customize them.
Try these easy banana bars, and I’m sure next time when you see ripe bananas, you’ll already be preheating your oven before thinking.
Don’t forget to share how you found it and what you served with it, and also share the recipe with your friends so they can also make this banana recipe.
Easy Banana Bars Without Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 large ripe bananas
- ½ cup white sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional:
- ½ tsp cinnamon optional
Instructions
Step 1: Mash the Bananas
- In a large bowl, mash 2 ripe bananas with a fork until smooth (no big chunks). No need to blend.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
- Add ½ cup white sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and combined.
Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients
- Sprinkle 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, ¼ tsp salt, and ½ tsp cinnamon (optional) on top. Stir gently until no dry flour is visible—don’t overmix.
Step 4: Pour Into Pan
- Grease or line a 10-inch pan with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pan and spread into a thin layer.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes. A toothpick should come out clean or with a few crumbs.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
- Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
If you're tired of making banana bread, whenever your bananas go brown, just switch to these.
You can serve them plain, store them for days, weeks, or even months; with methods that I share, like freezing them, plus you can customize them.
Try these easy banana bars, and I’m sure next time when you see ripe bananas, you’ll already be preheating your oven before thinking.
As a passionate home cook and food enthusiast, I’m specialize in recreating popular café and restaurant-style chocolate recipes at home. I have experience in testing and customizing various chocolate-based dishes, I focus on using fresh, high-quality ingredients to make preservative-free, delicious treats. My goal is to help chocolate lovers enjoy their favorite recipes with a homemade touch and personalized twists.