Skinny Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

WW Recipe of the Day: Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

These skinny banana coconut chocolate chip bars were born of necessity when I needed to use up a couple of overripe bananas.

What do you like to make with overripe bananas?

Skinny Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

The first thing that usually pops into my head when considering ripe banana recipes is banana bread. (I've never claimed to be particularly creative.)

Then I decided to try to come up with lighter healthier banana chocolate chip bars instead.

I checked a few cookbooks and websites and decided to adapt a recipe for banana chocolate chips squares from the King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Nutritious Whole Grains (affiliate link) cookbook.

To make them lighter and healthier, I reduced the amount of butter called for and increased the bananas to compensate. Then I fiddled with a few other minor changes, including adding a handful of coconut.

The verdict?

These banana coconut chocolate chip bars are tasty, moist and delicious, but turned out more cake like than I would've liked.

They definitely get better with time, so I strongly urge you to try and let them sit overnight before cutting and serving them.

The next time I make them, I'm going to see what I can do to make make them bit more dense and blondie-like.

The family seems to approve of these banana coconut chocolate chip bars because they are disappearing quickly!

Low Fat Banana Chocolate Chip Bars

How Many Calories and WW Points in these Cookie Bars?

According to my calculations, each serving has 141 calories and:

7 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
7 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
7 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
4 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!

If you've made these Banana Chocolate Chip Bars with Coconut, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.

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4.80 from 5 votes

Skinny Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

Banana coconut chocolate chip bars made lighter are simple and delicious.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time30 mins

Total Time45 mins

Servings (adjustable): 16

Calories: 141

Author: Martha McKinnon | Simple Nourished Living

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup flour (all-purpose or white whole wheat)
• ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ▢ ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ ¼ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• ▢ ⅔ cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
• ▢ 1 large egg
• ▢ ¾ cup mashed bananas (about 2)
• ▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ▢ ¼ cup sweetened coconut flakes
• ▢ ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

• Position an oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 350F degrees. Line an 8-inch square pan with non-stick foil or parchment for easiest cleanup. Or lightly grease the pan with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt until well blended.
• In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy.
• Add the egg, mashed bananas and vanilla and beat until well blended.
• Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and stir just until combined, then stir in the chocolate chips, coconut and walnuts.
• Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan and bake until set, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack to cool completely.
• For best results let the bars sit overnight before cutting and serving.
• Cut into 16 bars.

Recipe Notes

These bars were very good, but still a little more cakey than I want. The next time I make them I am going to see if I can make them more "blondie-like" in texture by adding ½ cup quick oats and substituting the baking powder for ¼ teaspoon baking soda. I'm also going to leave out the cinnamon.

Click here to see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site.

7 *SmartPoints (Green plan)

7 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)

7 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)

4 *PointsPlus (Old plan)

Nutrition Facts

Skinny Banana Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

Amount Per Serving (1 /16th recipe)

Calories 141 Calories from Fat 58

% Daily Value*

Fat 6.4g10%

Carbohydrates 19.4g6%

Fiber 1.1g4%

Protein 2.3g5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana chocolate chip bars, banana chocolate chip squares, banana cookie bars

Did you make this recipe?Mention @simplenourishedliving on Instagram and tag #simplenourishedliving - we love to see your creations!

Source: King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking: Delicious Recipes Using Nutritious Whole Grains (affiliate link) cookbook

*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.

If you like this recipe for banana coconut chocolate chip cookie bars, you might also like:

• Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding
• Chocolate Banana Muffins Made Lighter
• Simple 2-Ingredient Banana Oat Cookies
• Healthy Banana Cookie with Oats & Chocolate Chips
• WW Friendly Double Chocolate Banana Bread

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