Easy Frosted Banana Bars Recipe

These Banana Bars are the perfect way to use those brown bananas on your counter before they turn into zombies. Ha!!

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These Banana Bars are moist, soft, and topped with a silky cream cheese frosting that’ll make you want to eat them straight out of the pan with a fork. But let’s be honest, who’s going to stop you?

We all know the feeling: you bought bananas with the best of intentions—maybe for smoothies or a quick healthy snack.

But life happens, and now those once-bright bananas are turning spotty, begging you to save them from the trash. Instead of feeling guilty, celebrate!

This is your moment to transform “overripe bananas” into an easy, crowd-pleasing treat. The banana flavor shines through in these bars, and the light sweetness pairs perfectly with the tang of the frosting.

If you’re looking for a “perfect treat” that’s part “breakfast pastry” and part “I need a dessert right now,” these bars do the trick.

They’re great for brunch, an afternoon snack, or even a sweet treat at the end of the day. It’s all a win. Plus, they’ve got simple ingredients and an easy recipe.

In other words, no advanced pastry skills needed. Ready to see how Banana Bars come together? Let’s dig in!

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Jump to:

• WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
• INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
• HOW TO MAKE EASY BANANA BARS:
• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
• CAN I USE A DIFFERENT FROSTING?
• DO I HAVE TO ADD NUTS?
• ANY ADDITIONS?
• ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
• HOW TO STORE:
• DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
• Easy Frosted Banana Bars Recipe

1. Uses Up Overripe Bananas: Instead of tossing those brown, spotty bananas, you can give them a second life. 
2. Creamy Frosting Contrast: The tangy cream cheese frosting on top balances the sweet banana bread bars underneath, making each bite well-rounded and delicious.
3. Easy to Make: With sour cream and melted butter, you’re guaranteed a soft crumb. 

• Butter
• Cinnamon applesauce
• Brown sugar
• Granulated sugar
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Mashed bananas
• Sour cream
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Chopped walnuts (optional)
• Cream cheese
• Confectioners’ sugar

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1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper leaving the sides a little longer to create a sling.
2. In a large bowl, using an electric beater mix butter, applesauce, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
3. Add in the bananas and sour cream and mix until just combined.
4. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Slowly add dry into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
6. Pour the batter into the baking dish and bake 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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1. While the bars cool, make the frosting by mixing all ingredients until smooth and creamy.
2. Once the bars are cooled, spread the frosting over the top then sprinkle walnuts over the top
3. Slice into 24 bars and serve.

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CAN I USE A DIFFERENT FROSTING?

Yes!

While the cream cheese frosting is a classic choice, you could try a peanut butter frosting or even a simple vanilla glaze.

If you want less sweetness, you could skip the frosting altogether and enjoy these bars in bar form as easy banana bars.

DO I HAVE TO ADD NUTS?

Not at all.

Some people love the crunch from walnuts or pecans, but if nuts aren’t your thing, leave them out.

You can even replace them with mini chocolate chips or skip extra mix-ins for a simpler approach.

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ANY ADDITIONS?

Always! Bananas go with so many different flavors and textures.

• Chocolate chips: For all you chocolate fans, fold a handful of milk chocolate chips into the batter.
• Maple syrup drizzle: For extra sweetness, drizzle some over the top for a sweet, cozy vibe.
• Browned butter frosting: Replace the regular butter in your frosting with browned butter if you want a deeper caramel-like flavor.
• Coconut sugar in the bars: Swap out some of the white sugar or brown sugar to bring a subtle caramel note.
• Shredded coconut: Stir in a bit to bring tropical flair.
• Sprinkle of cinnamon on top of the frosting for a warm finish.
• Peanut butter swirl: Add a swirl of softened peanut butter in the batter for a nutty surprise.
• Cocoa powder swirl: For a partial chocolate approach, swirl a few tablespoons of cocoa into half the batter before marbling together.
• Extra egg yolk: If you want an even moister bar, add an extra yolk.
• Oat flour: Substitute part of the flour for oat flour if you like a bit of a heartier texture.

ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?

I love changing things up, so go right ahead and try your hand at it.

• Whole wheat flour in place of some all-purpose if you want a more wholesome treat (just note the bars might be denser).
• Vegan butter and a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax + 3 tablespoons water) for a vegan version.
• Almond flour for part of the flour if you’re aiming for a slightly nutty flavor—though the best texture might differ.
• Coconut oil in place of melted butter if you prefer a dairy-free fat.
• Dark brown sugar if you want a deeper molasses taste in the bars.
• Nut-free approach: skip the walnuts and rely on the banana flavor alone for a simpler bar.

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Refrigerator
These bars stay fresh for about 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

The cream cheese frosting means you’ll want to keep them chilled.

If you prefer a softer bite, let them come to room temperature for a few minutes before eating.

Freezer
You can freeze leftover banana bars by first slicing them, then wrapping each bar in plastic wrap or storing them together in a freezer-safe container.

They can keep for about 2-3 months.

Thaw in the fridge or on the counter for an hour, and they’ll still taste wonderful.

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Whether you’re making them for a healthy snack (relatively speaking), a potluck, or just to celebrate the fact that you have bananas about to go bad, Banana Bars fit the bill.