Easy 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies (Healthy Recipe) (2024)

These 3-ingredient banana brownies bring a fudgy, chocolatey delight that is delicious and healthy. Using only ripe bananas, peanut butter, and cocoa powder, they are vegan-friendly, sugar-free, and gluten-free.

They are easy to make with minimal prep, and ready to devour in under 20 minutes.

Looking for more quick and easy-to-make healthy desserts?

Then you’ll love our 3 Ingredient Protein Cookies, Protein Mug Cake, and Fudge Chocolate Baked Oats.

Recipe Highlights

• Healthier Brownie Option: These chocolate banana brownies swap out white sugar and flour for wholesome ingredients like bananas and peanut butter, offering a naturally sweet banana flavor to satisfy those dessert cravings.
• Gluten-Free: No flour needed for these flourless brownies! The combination of mashed bananas and peanut butter creates a great texture, making these brownies a fantastic gluten free option.
• Vegan-Friendly: With no animal products like eggs or dairy, these brownies are a great plant-based dessert.
• Rich Chocolate Flavor: Perfect for chocolate lovers, these brownies deliver a deep chocolate taste. Want even more chocolate? Toss in some chocolate chips to make them extra delicious.
• Super Easy to Make: This simple brownie recipe requires just 3 ingredients making it an easy and quick healthy dessert.

Are Banana Brownies Healthy?

These 3 ingredient banana brownies are a healthier choice compared to regular brownies for a few reasons.

First, they are sugar-free and don't have any added refined sugar since the bananas add all the sweetness naturally. They're made without flour or eggs, making these flourless brownies vegan friendly.

Using bananas and peanut butter instead means you get the nutrients and fiber from the bananas and healthy fats from the peanut butter. And because they use cocoa powder, you get antioxidants without the extra sugar or fat.

Plus, these healthy banana brownies are great because they make a small batch, so you don't have to worry about overindulging.

They're also a fantastic way to enjoy a dessert if you're watching your sugar intake, dieting for weight loss, or just looking for something lower in calories that tastes delicious.

Ingredients For Flourless Brownies

You’ll need the following ingredients to make these chocolate flourless brownies. Check out the recipe card below for exact ingredient quantities.

• Bananas: Use ripe bananas. The best ones are those with lots of dark spots on the peel or even ones that have turned brown. The riper they are, the sweeter your brownies will be and the more fudgy they'll feel.
• Peanut Butter: Use creamy natural peanut butter, and it's best if it doesn't have any added sugars, oils, or salt. But if you like your sweets with a bit of a salty kick, go ahead and use peanut butter that has some salt in it. Just make sure it's smooth and creamy to mix well into your brownie batter.
• Cocoa Powder: For the chocolatey part, pick an unsweetened cocoa powder. Whether you use the regular kind or Dutch-processed cocoa powder, either works fine. This will help make your brownies rich and chocolatey without making them too sweet.

How To Make 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies

1 - BLEND OR MASH BANANAS
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a square baking pan by lining it with parchment paper and set it aside.

Next, place your bananas in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly mash them until completely smooth.

TIP: For an even finer texture, consider blending the bananas in a blender or food processor (highly recommended for best results).

2 - MIX INGREDIENTS
Add peanut butter and cocoa powder to the pureed bananas and mix until well combined and you have a smooth batter. If desired fold in some chocolate chips.

NOTE: It’s normal for the batter to be thick.

3 - POUR INTO BAKING DISH:
Transfer the batter into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly across the dish.

5 - BAKE:
Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean.

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before cutting them into 9 even squares.

Tips & Tricks

Here are some easy tips and tricks to make your flourless banana brownies just right:

• The riper the bananas, the better. Overripe bananas make the brownies sweeter and more moist.
• Mashing bananas with a fork works, but for the smoothest batter, blending is the way to go. Using a blender or food processor gets rid of any chunks.
• If your bananas aren't quite ripe enough, a bit of maple syrup or any sweetener can sweeten things up. Just 2-3 tablespoons should do the trick.
• Creamy peanut butter mixes in more easily, making sure your brownies are evenly yummy.
• For easier mixing and a smoother batter, melt your peanut butter in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds.
• Don't over bake the brownies. They keep cooking a bit even after you take them out of the oven.
• It's okay if they're a bit undercooked inside since there are no eggs or flour in this recipe.
• A dash of sea salt on top can really make the chocolate flavor pop.

Substitutions & Variations

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Make Without Bananas: You can use unsweetened applesauce or pumpkin puree instead to make these easy healthy brownies. Just a heads up, your brownies might not be as sweet without the bananas. To fix that, you can throw in ¼ cup of a sweetener like monk fruit, maple syrup, or zero calorie sweetener.
• Use A Different Nut Butter: If peanut butter isn't your thing or you just want to mix it up, almond butter or cashew butter are great choices. They'll blend right in and still make your brownies tasty.
• Make Without Nuts: If nuts are a no-go for you, try using tahini or sunflower seed butter. They're great alternatives that keep things nut-free.

VARIATIONS:

• Chocolate Chip Brownies: Add 1-2 servings of chocolate chips into the batter before baking for extra gooey chocolatey goodness. Choose dark, milk or white chocolate chips based on what you like.
• Nutty Brownies: Stir in chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor. This adds a lovely contrast to the fudgy brownies.
• Protein Packed Brownies: Mix in a scoop of your favorite protein powder to add a protein boost to your brownies.

How To Store Banana Brownies

To keep your 3 ingredient banana brownies fresh and tasting great, here's how to store them:

Room Temperature: After they cool down, place your brownies in a container that seals well. For extra moisture, add a slice of bread in there too; the brownies will draw in the bread's moisture. This way, they stay good for about 3 days.

Refrigerator: Want them to last longer? Keep them in the fridge in a container with a tight lid to avoid them getting dry or absorbing odors. In the fridge, they'll keep well for about 5 days.

How To Speed Up Banana Ripening?

If your bananas aren’t ripe enough to make this healthy brownie recipe, here are a few ways to ripen them quickly:

Oven Method: Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet and bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until they become black and soft. The heat accelerates the ripening process by breaking down the bananas' starches into sugar.

Paper Bag Method: Put the bananas in a paper bag and fold the top closed. If you add an apple or a tomato to the bag, it can speed up the process even more. These fruits release ethylene gas, which encourages ripening.

Measuring Ingredients

For convenience, we've added US cup measurements to the 3 ingredients brownie recipe below, as well as teaspoons and tablespoons for smaller amounts.

If you prefer using a kitchen scale for accuracy, we've got weights and volumes covered too. Just switch from US customary to metric after the last ingredient, and you'll see all measurements in grams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Try These Easy & Healthy Desserts Next

• 3 Ingredient Protein Cookies
• Protein Powder Mug Cake
• Fudge Chocolate Baked Oats.
• Cookie Dough Baked Oats
• Biscoff Protein Cupcakes

Video: Watch How To Make This Recipe

We hope you enjoy this easy 3 ingredient banana brownies with cocoa powder! If you make it, please leave a comment and rating below to share your experience as it helps other members.

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