Banana Bread Date Bars Recipe

These Banana Bread Date Bars are made with no added sweeteners, whole grain flour, no oil, and are super moist and flavorful! They make a fabulous healthy treat. 

Heads up! This recipe was first published in March 2014. Photographs were updated in July 2018. Text and recipe were not changed. 

Ever since I got back from my Arizona trip, I’ve been trying to wake up at the same time I usually do. 6am is 3am in Phoenix, so I’ve had to force my eyes open and the rest of the day I’ve felt like I’m in a fog.  I have lead feet as I try to do everyday tasks.  I’m hoping it’s just jet lag and this will pass because I don’t like going through life feeling so tired.

The good thing is these Banana Bread Date Bars are a cinch to make and I was able to make them even despite my fatigue.

I made these as an attempt to satisfy my family’s sweet tooth with something healthy.  I wanted something that would be tasty enough for dessert, yet healthy enough to be eaten for breakfast or a snack.

Enter the Banana Bread Date Bars! These bars are a cross between banana bread, cake, and a snack bar. They fit the bill perfectly if you are looking for a truly healthy treat.

There are no added sweeteners in this recipe and it’s made with 100% whole wheat flour.  All the sweetness comes from the bananas and dates.

Applesauce has also replaced any oil, so they are lighter than your usual dessert or snack bar.  Despite these healthifications (that’s a word!), they are bursting with banana flavor and are super moist.

Even better?  They are very quick and easy. This is a one bowl recipe.  I whipped this batch of Banana Bread Date Bars up while Luke was eating his lunch.  It doesn’t get any easier!

Banana bread date bars

A cross between banana bread, cake, and snack bars, these are a healthy treat! With no added sugar, no oil, and 100% whole wheat flour, you can feel great about serving these to your family.  

• Author: Healthy Happy Mama
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 - 12 bars 1x
• Category: Snacks
• Cuisine: American

Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed banana (from about 2 1/2 ripe bananas)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 cup dates, chopped

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9X9 inch square baking pan.
2. In a bowl, mix together the mashed banana, applesauce, egg, and vanilla.  Stir well.  Add in the flour and baking powder and mix until almost combined.  Stir in the dates and mix the rest of the way. Don’t over mix the batter.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until the sides start to pull away from the pan and an inserted toothpick comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
4. Enjoy!

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar of 9
• Calories: 125
• Sugar: 13.8g
• Sodium: 23.4mg
• Fat: 1.2g
• Carbohydrates: 27.8g
• Protein: 3.2g

Keywords: banana bread

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