Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Monkey Bars (Oil-Free, Date Sweetened)
This kid-friendly vegan recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Monkey Bars is the ultimate treat! No one will know these oil-free, plant-based treats are full of healthy ingredients like black beans, whole wheat flour, and dates. This is is a healthy dessert you can “Go Ape” over!
Calories: 107kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dates 400g
- 1/2 cup warm water for soaking the dates
- 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour 90g
- 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder 40g
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 15-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- 1 tablespoon ground flax meal 6.5g
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 114g
- 3/4 cup ripe banana, mashed 180g
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts 75g, roughly chopped
- 1 batch of Peanut Butter Banana Frosting
- Chopped Roasted Peanuts, and Banana Sliced (for serving)
Instructions
- Soak the Dates: Soak dates in warm water at least 5 minutes, to soften.
- Preheat your oven to 350. Line a 9×13 baking pan with foil or parchment paper.
- Sift together the dry ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
- Check the dates for any pits. Drain and rinse black beans. Combine the dates, soaking liquid, black beans, flax meal, applesauce, banana, and vanilla in a food processor or blender. Puree until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Add the pureed wet mixture to the sifted dry ingredients. Add the chopped peanuts to the batter. Stir together just until combined. Be sure not to overmix. Spread brownie mixture evenly in the pan. Sprinkle on the remaining chopped peanuts.
- Bake at 350, 50-60 min. Bars are ready when a toothpick can cleanly be inserted and removed. The top will also start to crack. Remove from the oven and let cool before slicing.
- Cut into 24 bars and serve.