These low-fat Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars started out as a way to use a couple of overripe bananas. If you often find yourself with extra ripe bananas, this recipe is an easy, lighter option to try instead of the usual banana bread.
Rather than a dense blondie, these bars lean toward a moist, cake-like texture. They’re still tasty and hold up well as a snack or dessert, and the coconut adds a pleasant chewiness that complements the banana and chocolate chips.
Recipe Notes
This version is adapted from a banana chocolate chip squares recipe in the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking cookbook. To lighten the bars, the butter was reduced and the amount of banana increased to keep the batter moist. A handful of sweetened coconut flakes was added for texture and flavor.
The bars are moist and flavorful but are more cake-like than dense. I recommend letting them rest overnight before cutting — they firm up and develop better flavor after a full rest. If you prefer a denser, blondie-style bar, consider experimenting with a small amount of quick oats or a slight change in leavening the next time you bake them.
How Many Calories and WW Points in Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars?
Per my calculations, each bar (1/16th of the recipe) contains about 141 calories.
Weight Watchers points for this recipe are listed below. To confirm or track exact points for your plan, enter the recipe details in the WW app.
7 SmartPoints (Green plan)
7 SmartPoints (Blue plan)
7 SmartPoints (Purple plan)
4 PointsPlus (Old plan)
If you try this lighter Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars recipe, please leave a rating and a comment about how you liked them. I love hearing feedback and any tweaks you discover.
Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars Recipe
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Silicone spatula
- 8-inch square baking pan
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour (all-purpose or white whole wheat)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons butter, softened
- 2/3 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 large egg
- 3/4 cup mashed bananas (about 2)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Position a rack in the center. Line an 8-inch square pan with non-stick foil or parchment for easiest cleanup, or lightly grease the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt until well blended.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed until creamy.
- Add the egg, mashed bananas and vanilla; beat until the mixture is well combined.
- Stir the flour mixture into the banana mixture just until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, coconut flakes and chopped walnuts.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the bars are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out mostly clean.
- Remove from the oven and set the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
- For best texture and flavor, let the bars sit overnight before cutting and serving.
- Cut into 16 squares and serve.
Notes
Serving size: 1 square (1/16th of the recipe)
WW Points: 8 (see app for exact tracking)
These bars were very good but still a bit cakey. To experiment with a denser, blondie-like texture, try adding 1/2 cup quick oats, switching the baking powder to 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and omitting the cinnamon. Feel free to adjust the mix-ins — extra nuts or a sprinkle of coarse sea salt on top can be nice.
Storage tip: Once cooled, store bars in an airtight container. They keep well and often taste better the next day after the flavors have melded. If you prefer a firmer texture, refrigerate before cutting.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/16th recipe — Calories: 141 kcal
Carbohydrates: 19.4 g • Protein: 2.3 g • Fat: 6.4 g • Saturated Fat: 3 g • Trans Fat: 0.1 g
Cholesterol: 20 mg • Sodium: 84 mg • Potassium: 119 mg • Fiber: 1.1 g • Sugar: 13 g
Vitamin A: 115 IU • Vitamin C: 1 mg • Calcium: 26 mg • Iron: 1 mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Mention @simplenourishedliving or tag #simplenourishedliving on social media to share how your bars turned out.
Source: King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Nutritious Whole Grains (adapted)
If you like this recipe for banana coconut chocolate chip bars, you might also enjoy:
- Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
- Chocolate Banana Muffins Made Lighter
- Simple 2-Ingredient Banana Oat Cookies
- Banana Cookie with Oats & Chocolate Chips
- WW Friendly Double Chocolate Banana Bread