Chocolate Chip Banana Granola Bars - a delicious recipe for healthier chocolate chip granola bars using ripe bananas, maple syrup and a few other ingredients.
Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Granola Bars
When it comes to a granola bar, most recipes use lots of sugar and oil or butter which can use a lot of calories, if you are trying to be healthy.
So I decided to experiment in the kitchen and come with a healthier granola bar using a few tricks that are perfect for low-calorie cooking.
Banana's can be a great ingredient in baking and not only to do they add some natural sweetness but they can also be a perfect replacement for fat too. Which can help you reduce quite a few calories in a recipe. Plus I don't know about you, but I always end up with ripe bananas that I need to use up, so the more recipes the better, right?
Can I use sweetener instead of Maple Syrup?
We already use some sukrin:gold in this recipe, which is a brown sugar replacement made from Erythritol, so you may be wondering, can I not just use all sweetener?
The short answer is no, you need the maple syrup, for a few reasons. It's a liquid and it's stick so it helps the granola bars along with the other ingredients hold together. Skip it out and your granola bars won't work.
Different types of Sweetener
As mentioned above, the sweetener I use in this recipe is sukrin gold, a brown sugar replacement made from Erythritol, if you can't get your hands on this, you can replace with any Erythritol based sweetener.
If you decide to try with a different type of sweetener, you need to check the packaging to see the sugar to sweetener ratio, because different sweeteners vary.
Sukrin gold is used like for like with sugar, so if you are using it in place of sugar you use the same amount, whereas other sweeteners you may need to use more or less.
Chocolate Chips in Granola Bars
I use milk chocolate chips in this recipe as that is what the kids like, but you can swap to dark chocolate, semi sweet or even white chocolate chips if that is what you prefer.
If you don't like chocolate, then raisins (or sultanas) are another great option to use.
Storing the Granola Bars
To store these once baked and cooled, I add in a lidded tub with a sheet or kitchen paper. All ready and on hand then for whenever you want to enjoy one as a snack or treat.
They should keep a few days in a tub, when stored this way.
Can you freeze the granola bars?
Yep, these will freeze fine, just allow to cool and then you can individually wrap and freeze or pop in a freezer bag. Then just take out and enjoy as you want one. Hey I've even been known to enjoy one from frozen.
More Recipe for Ripe Bananas
Wondering what else you can make with some ripe bananas? Check out these other recipes:
- BANANA AND CHOCOLATE CHIP LOAF
- BANANA CHOCOLATE CHIP MUFFINS
- BANANA BAKED OATMEAL
- HEALTHY BANANA GRANOLA
- BAKED BANANA DOUGHNUTS
- COOKIES AND CREAM OAT BITES
or head on over to my Full Recipe Index with over 900 delicious Slimming Eats and Weight Watchers friendly recipes all fully searchable by meal type, ingredients etc
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Recipe Card
Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Granola Bars
Healthy Chocolate Chip Banana Granola Bars - a delicious recipe for healthier chocolate chip granola bars using ripe bananas, maple syrup and a few other ingredients.
Ingredients
- 200g of rolled oats (quick oats)
- 1 egg white (large egg)
- 2 small ripe bananas
- 20g chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons of sukrin gold (or use another Erythritol sweetener)
- 4 tablespoons of maple syrup
- pinch of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- cooking oil spray (I used coconut)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180c/FAN 160c/350f or gas mark 4
In a bowl - In a bowl mash the banana until smooth, add in the maple syrup, sukrin, egg white, vanilla extract and mix to combine.
- In another bowl add the oats, chocolate chips and cinnamon and mix.
- Add the banana mixture into the oats and fold until all combine.
- Line 13x9.5 inch baking tray with some parchment paper
- Add the mixture and press down firmly in the tray.
- Carefully score 16 equal-sized bars with a knife or spatula
- Place in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and firm.
- Allow to cool slightly, then enjoy.
- Store in an airtight container
Notes
Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:
- Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
- WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
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Nutrition Information
Serving Size 1 BARAmount Per Serving Calories 83Total Fat 1.5gSaturated Fat 0.5gCholesterol 11.8mgSodium 2.4mgCarbohydrates 15.6gFiber 1.2gSugar 5.6gProtein 1.8g
See the handy Pinterest image below if you wish to pin this for later 😊
Chris Readion says
These sound amazing, can't wait to try them. Wow and 3 plus healthy B for only 5 syns sounds great
Lola says
Rolled oats and quick oats are different. Are you asking for the instant stuff or the larger flakes?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
Rolled oats and quick oats are very similar. Rolled oats being whole oats that have been rolled so they are broken into smaller pieces and quick oats being more broken into small pieces which quickens the cooking process. Either are fine in this recipe. I don’t recommend old fashioned or large oat flakes.
Julie Hicks says
Hi Siobhan
I’ve just stumbles on your blog and recipes and feel sure they’ll become a regular read for me.
Up until a year ago I lived in the UK, and used to attend Slimming World where I managed to achieve my target. After a move to Saskatoon, Canada I’ve not been very diligent, and as you’ll appreciate have been faced with many different food options as well as the business of the move itself. I’ve finally decided it’s time to get back on the wagon and sign up to the online program again.
As I sold all my SW recipe books before moving out here, I’d just like to say keep up the great work with your blog, as I look forward to making many of your recipes in the future.
Best,
Julie
Ruth says
Hi! I get a bad reaction from bananas would these work if I made them without the banana?
Ps I LOVE your baked mini Oreo cheesecakes recipe! 🙂
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
they definitely need the banana unfortunatley it adds some sweetness and helps them hold together. So glad you like the oreo cheesecakes 🙂
Emma says
I used apple sauce as my oh can't have banana but obviously you would need to edit the nutritional information 😊
Toni ANDERSON says
I needed a sweet fix so just whipped this up and oh my!!! They are delicious with my mid morning brew
Abbie says
How long do these last for
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
They should keep in a tub for 3-4 days or can be frozen.
Maria Horsfield says
I've been doing quite a few of your recipes of late...Great website by the way. Just baking these granola bars as its snowing day and can't get out of the house so I'm baking these to go with a cup of tea later x
Maxine says
Just tried making these, wow thank you. A delicious healthy snack. To say I can have 3 bars for 5 syns if I count it as part of my heathly plan B! Will definately be making these again, as I am snack Queen xx
Linda McCabe says
I don’t want to use sweeteners, how much sugar would I need please?
Siobhan (Slimming Eats) says
if using sugar you will use the exact same amount.