I had way too many ripe bananas in my kitchen this week, and needed something to do with them. Thus, I decided to try these Vegan Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars! These delightful bars are the perfect blend of sweetness and a little spice, and the best part? No animal products are involved! So, let’s dive into what makes these treats so special and get ready for a culinary adventure!
Jump to Recipe
How to Make Vegan Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars
Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of creating these mouthwatering treats. Gather your ingredients and let the baking magic begin!
Ingredients:
– 3 ripe bananas
– 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
– 1/4 cup nut butter (almond, cashew, or peanut butter. I used peanut butter)
– 1/2 cup coconut milk from a can (You can also use almond or oat milk. I prefer coconut milk from a can because of it’s creaminess and higher fat content)
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cinnamon Sugar Topping Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
– ¼ cup oats
– ¼ cup brown sugar
-¼ cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 cup coconut oil
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– A pinch of salt
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
Add the melted coconut oil, nut butter, plant-based milk, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
In a small bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the cinnamon sugar topping. You want to make sure the coconut oil is broken up and spread out evenly. It helps if you mix with your hands to ensure there are no large chunks of coconut oil.
Sprinkle this delightful mixture evenly over the batter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Once cooled completely, slice into bars and indulge in the vegan deliciousness!
What Makes These Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars Vegan?
Traditional recipes often rely on eggs, butter, and milk to achieve that perfect texture and flavor. However, we’re kicking it up a notch by embracing plant-based alternatives without compromising on taste.
Egg Substitute – Bananas
Instead of eggs, these cinnamon sugar bars ripe bananas as a binding agent. Not only do they add natural sweetness, but they also bring a moist and gooey texture to the bars. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up all over your overripe bananas!
Also, if you have too many overripe bananas (Like I do!), you can throw them in the freezer, peel and all, and save them until you want to use them in another delicious banana-based recipe.
Butter Swap – Coconut Oil and Nut Butter
Goodbye dairy, hello plant-based goodness! These banana cinnamon sugar bars swap out the butter for a combination of coconut oil and nut butter. This not only keeps the bars moist but also infuses them with a rich and nutty undertone that perfectly complements the bananas and cinnamon.
Milk Magic – Coconut Milk
I definitely prefer coconut milk from a can for my vegan baking. I almost always use it because I just really like the taste. However, almond, soy, or oat milk will also work in this recipe, adding creaminess without compromising on flavor. You choose whichever dairy-free milk you like best!
Pro Tips for Making Vegan Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars
Now that we’ve laid the foundation for our vegan delight, let’s explore some pro tips to ensure your Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars turn out picture-perfect every time.
The Riper, The Better for Bananas
Don’t be afraid to let those bananas get nice and brown. The riper they are, the sweeter and more flavorful your bars will be. Plus, it’s an excellent way to reduce food waste by using up those overripe bananas that might otherwise go to waste. I always (like, always!) have a stash of brown bananas in my freezer that I use for baking. I just take them out about an hour ahead of time so they thaw a bit.
Experiment with Different Nut Butters
Feel free to experiment with nut butters! Whether you prefer the richness of almond butter, the earthiness of cashew butter, or the classic taste of peanut butter, the choice is yours. Each variation adds a unique twist to the recipe, making it easy to tailor the bars to your taste preferences. I absolutely love peanut butter, so that is what I went with when I baked it.
Lay on the Cinnamon Sugar
Don’t be shy with the cinnamon sugar topping – it’s the star of the show! Sprinkle it generously over the batter before baking to create a sweet, slightly crispy crust that adds an irresistible texture to every bite. It’s the little details that make these bars extraordinary. If you even wanted to be a bit over-generous when measuring your ingredients for the cinnamon sugar topping so you ended up with a little more, I don’t think that would hurt at all!
Patiently Cool Your Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars
Once your vegan Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars are out of the oven, resist the urge to dive in immediately. Allow them to cool for a bit before slicing. This not only makes for cleaner cuts but also intensifies the flavors as the bars set. If your bars last longer than a day, you can store them at room temperature in an air-tight container. No need to put them in the fridge.
There you have it – a simple, yet sensational recipe for Vegan Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars that’s sure to win over hearts and taste buds alike. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just curious about exploring plant-based treats, these bars are a delightful way to savor the goodness of compassionate cooking. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey that’s as kind to animals as it is to your palate. Happy baking!
Vegan Banana Cinnamon Sugar Bars
Ingredients
For Banana Bar Base
- 3 ripe bananas mashed
- 1/2 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup nut butter of your choice
- 1/2 cup dairy-free milk of your choice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
For Cinnamon Sugar Topping
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/4 cup oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350° F, grease an 8x8 inch baking dish
- Mash your ripe bananas
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the melted coconut oil, nut butter, coconut milk from a can and vanilla until well combined.
- Add the bananas to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined
- In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add those dry ingredients to your wet ingredients, mixing until everything is well combined.
- Pour your banana bar batter into your prepared baking dish
- In a mixing bowl, mix together all of the cinnamon sugar topping ingredients until everything is well combined and there are no large chunks of coconut oil. It helps if you use your hands to mix everything to make sure the coconut oil gets distributed well.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar topping evenly on top of your banana bar batter.
- Bake everything for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely before serving. Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
