Baked Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Date Oat Bars

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baked chocolate chip banana bread and date oat bars

these baked chocolate chip banana bread and date oat bars are the kind of cozy treat you’ll want on repeat—soft, gooey, and naturally sweet without any added refined sugar.

they’re made with simple whole food ingredients, and the sweetness comes entirely from overripe bananas and soft medjool dates.

they taste like a mashup of banana bread, oatmeal cookies, and fudgy breakfast bars, with chocolate chips scattered throughout for extra indulgence.

they’re moist, gooey and chewy, especially fresh out of the oven, and even better the next day once they firm up a bit.

taste + texture

the flavor is rich and comforting—sweet from the fruit but not overly sugary.

the bananas and dates create a caramel-like depth, and the chocolate chips (i recommend ones sweetened with coconut sugar or dates, like hu or eating evolved) give you melty pockets of chocolate in every bite.

texture-wise, think dense and gooey banana bread, but with oatiness and chocolatey bites throughout.

the edges firm up slightly while the center stays soft and fudgy.

why no refined sugar?

this recipe relies completely on whole fruit to sweeten: ripe bananas and medjool dates.

together, they offer fiber, potassium, and natural sugars that break down slower than refined alternatives.

even the chocolate chips are refined sugar-free—look for brands like hu kitchen or eating evolved for options sweetened with coconut sugar or dates.

tips for the perfect bake

• make sure your dates are soft—soak them in warm water for 10 minutes if they’re firm
• blend the dates and bananas until completely smooth for even sweetness and gooey texture
• let the bars cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing so they can set
• store in the fridge for a firmer, almost brownie-like texture

substitution ideas

• vegan: swap the eggs for flax eggs (2 tbsp flax meal + 5 tbsp water)
• nut-free: use sunflower seed butter instead of almond or peanut butter
• chocolate-free: skip the chips or add chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans instead
• extra protein: stir in a scoop of plain or vanilla protein powder and reduce the oats slightly

how to store

store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

they firm up nicely and make a great chilled snack. you can also freeze them for up to 2 months—just thaw in the fridge or microwave for 20–30 seconds before serving.

if you love Baked Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and Date Oat Bars, then try these other recipes from upbeetandkaleingitblog!

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8-Ingredient Banana Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies (No Refined Sugar)

Nourishing No Bake Blueberry Cheesecake With Date Sweetened Crust

No Bake Double Chocolate Bliss Rolls

The Best No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake

No Bake Plant Based Vanilla Cinnamon Crumble Cheesecake

Nourishing Vegan Protein Granola Ice Cream & Cinnamon Coconut Sugar Peaches

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