Carob-Banana Bars (grain-free + sugar-free)

Ali Segersten

These moist, delicious, high-protein gluten-free, sugar-free bars are made with almond flour, carob powder, and a touch of cinnamon. They are sweetened only with mashed banana and liquid stevia. Carob powder is naturally sweet unlike cocoa powder which is very bitter. This means that you do not need to add massive amounts of sweetener as you need to with cocoa powder.

Carob is also a decent source of protein and high in calcium. Although carob doesn't taste like chocolate, it does have a sweet, nutty, molasses-like flavor that adds depth and a unique taste to your baked goods.

If you would like to replace the carob in this recipe with cocoa powder then I suggest either increasing the liquid stevia or consider adding about 1/4 cup of coconut sugar to the recipe. I use blanched almond flour in this recipe which is very different from the almond flour you find in most health food stores. It can only be ordered online and can't be substituted with other ingredients. I know many people who are gluten-free already use this flour. It is perfect for grain-free cooking and also adds tenderness, flavor, and nutrition to grain-based gluten-free baking.

Recipe from our Meal Planner

Grain-Free Carob-Banana Bars

Grain-Free Sugar-free Carob-Banana Bars
Servings
12
Cook Time
30 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes

These almond flour banana bars make a nutritious, quick breakfast or a healthy after-school snack. Serve them with a glass of raw almond milk. 

Tip

Be sure to use ripe (brown spotted) bananas in this recipe! The stevia is optional. It adds a little extra sweetness without adding any sugar.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

2 cups blanched almond flour
½ cups carob powder
¼ cups arrowroot powder
¾ teaspoons baking soda
½ teaspoons cinnamon
¼ teaspoons sea salt

Wet Ingredients

2 large bananas mashed (1 heaping cup)
2 large eggs
¼ cups melted coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
20 drops liquid stevia (optional)
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Oil an 8x8-inch glass baking dish with coconut oil.
  2. Mix together the dry ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use your fingers to break up any clumps in the almond flour. Then whisk the ingredients together. Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl, add the bananas and mash with a fork. Measure the mashed bananas to make sure they are just over 1 cup. Add more banana if needed or remove some. Then add the remaining ingredients and stir together with the fork.
  4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk together. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
  5. Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool before cutting into bars. 

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Posted In
almond flour banana carob dairy-free dessert grain-free snacks sugar-free xanthan-free recipes recipe
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About the Author

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN

Alissa Segersten, MS, CN, is the founder of Nourishing Meals®, an online meal-planning membership with over 2000 nourishing recipes and tools to support dietary change and better health. As a functional nutritionist, professional recipe developer, and author of The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook, Nourishing Meals, and co-author of The Elimination Diet, she helps people overcome health challenges through food. A mother of five, Alissa understands the importance of creating nutrient-dense meals for the whole family. Rooted in science and deep nourishment, her work makes healthy eating accessible, empowering thousands to transform their well-being through food.

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