Fresh Milled Banana Bars (Easy, Tasty & Nutritious)

These soft and moist banana bars are made with 100% fresh milled flour. An easy, whole grain recipe perfect for breakfast or snack time!

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If you regularly have overripe bananas on the counter, this from-scratch recipe if the tastiest and easiest way to use them up! Made with whole grain flour and only honey as a sweetener, they are refined sugar free, as well!

Using fresh milled flour adds a rich, nutty flavor as well as a boost in nutrition.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Made with 100% Fresh Milled Flour – Whole grain goodness in every single bite! Fresh Milled Flour has incredible nutrition, lends to a tender crumb, and adds flavor that brings these banana bars to a whole new level!
• Naturally Sweetened – The natural sweetness of the bananas and just a bit of honey means these bars have no refined sugar in these bars!
• Easy Recipe – You can mix and bake these bars in the baking dish making for only 1 dish to wash!
• Perfect for Breakfast or Snacks – A quick and wholesome breakfast alongside some eggs or as a delicious afternoon snack, these bars are so versatile!

What is Fresh Milled Flour?

Freshly Milled Flour is milled wheat berries using a GRAIN MILL. The flour is high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Store-bought all purpose flour is sifted of all of these nutrients and fiber, making it void of meaningful nutrition.

If you are brand new to milling your own flour or your own grains, START HERE!

Whole grain flour works so well in these banana bars as it adds flavor and key nutrients in every bite! The health benefits are well documented and the flavor is out of this world!

Ingredients for making Fresh Milled Banana Bars

• 1 cup Fresh Milled Flour – You can use most any fresh milled flour for this recipe. Hard white wheat, hard red wheat, soft white wheat berries, Einkorn, Spelt, and Kamut work great for these bars. Also, you can use a variety of grains mixed together for a customized flavor.
• 2 Overripe Mashed Bananas – Although you can use bananas that aren’t overripe, the bars won’t be as sweet.
• 1 Egg
• 3 tbsp Honey – I use raw, organic, unfiltered honey for the most flavor. You can use maple syrup or agave syrup as a substitute.
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil – You could substitute with avocado oil, melted coconut oil, or melted butter.
• Optional add-ins – 2 tbsp peanut butter, 1 cup chopped nuts of choice, 1 cup chocolate chips.

Full ingredient amounts are found in the printable recipe card below

Ingredient Notes

• Why use ripe bananas? – Ripe bananas have a natural sweetness and are softer for mashing.
• Which wheat berries work best with this recipe? – I find that soft wheat or Einkorn works best for these bars.
• Oil or Butter? – Oil lends to a softer bar than butter, however butter adds a nice flavor.

How to make Fresh Milled Banana Bars (Step-by-Step)

Step 1. Mill your wheat berries on the fine setting of your grain mill.

Step 2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 3. In an oiled or parchment lined 9×9 SQUARE BAKING PAN, mash 1 cup overripe bananas with a fork or potato masher.

Note: Although you can mix this batter in a large mixing bowl, the easy way is the right way for me and I just mix right in the pan!

Note: I have used a glass pan as well and it works just fine

Step 4. Add egg, honey, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined.

Step 5. Add flour, salt, and baking soda over the wet mixture and mix well until no dry bits of flour remain. Take care to not over mix. Just mix until well combined.

Step 6. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes for the flour to fully absorb the liquids. If using all-purpose flour, you can skip this step.

Step 7. Bake in preheated oven for 28-30 minutes until lightly golden brown and set.

Step 8. Cut into 6 individual slices or bars and cool on wire rack before storing, or serve immediately!

NOTE: I choose to cut my bars into 12 smaller bars for portion control. If you choose to do this, cut the nutritional values in half

Variations

Top with chocolate chips before baking for a decadent bar!

For added protein, add chopped walnuts or pecans.

If you want a truly “dessert” worthy bar, add shredded carrots and top with cream cheese frosting!

Try adding 2 tbsp peanut butter to the batter for a jump in protein and a wonderful flavor!

Add your own unique flavor variation for a customized bar!

Storage

Store cooled leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

For longer storage, freeze cooled bars in a freezer safe bag for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hungry for more Breakfast recipes?

Try my SOURDOUGH DISCARD BREAKFAST BARS for a high protein option.

You will love these SOURDOUGH DISCARD BREAKFAST MUFFINS!

Looking for a filling breakfast dish with eggs? Try this SOURDOUGH DISCARD BREAKFAST SKILLET!

This FRESH MILLED BREAKFAST GRAVY hits the spot for a country style breakfast with biscuits!

Want an easy recipe for fresh milled flour banana bread? CLICK HERE! It’s one of my favorite quick bread recipes!

Having trouble choosing a grain mill? CLICK HERE!