Banana Nut Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

These Banana Nut Bars are soft, moist, and topped with a thick layer of homemade cream cheese frosting. Ripe bananas add plenty of sweetness and banana flavor, while chopped walnuts give the bars a little crunch. They’re a great way to use up those extra ripe bananas sitting on the counter when you want something besides banana bread.

What kind of bananas are best for banana nut bars?

Very ripe bananas are best. Look for bananas that are yellow with lots of brown spots or even mostly brown. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more pronounced the banana flavor will be.

Do banana nut bars with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Because these bars are topped with cream cheese frosting, store them covered in the refrigerator. For the best texture, you can let an individual bar sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.

Can I make banana nut bars without walnuts?

Yes. You can leave out the walnuts if you prefer nut-free banana bars. No other changes to the recipe are needed.

Can I freeze banana nut bars?

Yes. Freeze the bars in an airtight freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper if needed. You can also freeze the bars before adding the cream cheese frosting and frost them after they have thawed.

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Ingredient Notes

ingredients for Banana Nut Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ripe bananas: Use bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best flavor and sweetness.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars and works with the bananas to keep them moist.
Vegetable oil: Adds moisture without making the bars heavy.
Eggs: Help bind the batter together.
All-purpose flour: Gives the banana bars their structure.
Baking powder and baking soda: Help the bars rise as they bake.
Ground cinnamon: Adds a warm flavor that pairs well with bananas and walnuts.
Salt: Balances the sweetness.
Walnuts: Stir some into the batter and save the rest for the top of the frosting.
Cream cheese: Let it soften before mixing so the frosting turns out smooth.
Unsalted butter: Softened butter makes the frosting creamy and easy to spread.
Vanilla: Adds flavor to the cream cheese frosting.
Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.

How to Make Banana Nut Bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, bananas, vegetable oil, and eggs until smooth and creamy.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
Fold 1/2 cup of the crushed walnuts into the batter.
Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool completely before adding the frosting.
Now lets make the Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: Beat together the softened cream cheese, butter, and vanilla until smooth.
Slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until a thick, creamy frosting forms.
Dollop the frosting over the cooled banana bars and gently spread it to the edges.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts over the top.
Cut into bars and enjoy!