These banana brownies are fudgy, chocolatey, and naturally sweetened. Ripe bananas and almond butter make a moist, dense brownie with a rich cocoa flavor. They bake quickly and smell amazing while they cook—warm chocolate and banana fill the kitchen. They’re a simple yet satisfying treat that feels indulgent but uses wholesome ingredients.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes (about 20–25 minutes)
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Servings: 9 squares
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving; recipe yields 9 servings)
- Calories per serving: 205 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fat: 16 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
Why Make This Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies
These brownies are fast and forgiving. You only need a handful of pantry staples and ripe bananas to get a fudgy, chocolate bite without flour or refined sugar. They make a great snack, a lunchbox treat, or a quick dessert after dinner. The almond butter adds a nutty richness and healthy fats, while cocoa gives a deep chocolate taste. If you enjoy simple swaps in the kitchen, try pairing this recipe with other easy meals like creamy healthy tuna pasta salad for a balanced weeknight menu.
How to Make Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies
This recipe is mostly mixing and baking. Mash ripe bananas, stir in almond butter and honey or maple syrup, fold in cocoa and a pinch of baking soda and salt, then bake until set. The batter is thick and spreads easily in an 8×8 pan. Expect a moist, dense texture—more like a fudgy brownie than a cake.
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper so the brownies lift out easily. Lightly grease the pan if you prefer.
Step 2: Mixing
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until mostly smooth. Stir in the almond butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined—do not overmix. Fold in the dark chocolate chips if using.
Step 3: Cooking
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes. Test with a toothpick — a few moist crumbs are fine; the center should not be raw.
Step 4: Finishing
Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan—about 20–30 minutes—so they set and slice cleanly. Lift out using the parchment paper and cut into 9 squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
How to Serve Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess. For a treat, add a spoonful of nut butter or a few fresh berries on top. These brownies make a great portable snack and are nice with coffee or a glass of milk. For a party, cut into smaller squares and arrange on a platter dusted lightly with cocoa powder.
How to Store Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies
- Room temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let come to room temperature or warm slightly before serving.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature, and warm briefly if desired.
Expert Tips for Perfect Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies
- Use very ripe bananas (speckled or mostly brown) for the best sweetness and moisture.
- Measure almond butter by volume and scrape the jar to get the full 1/2 cup—this gives structure and richness.
- Don’t overbake. These brownies are best with a slightly gooey center. Start checking at 18 minutes.
- If your almond butter is very thick, warm it slightly to make mixing easier.
- Swap almond butter for peanut butter if preferred—texture and flavor will change slightly but still work well.
- For a refined-sugar-free option use unsweetened chocolate chips or omit them entirely.
- If batter seems too thin (rare), add 1–2 tablespoons of oat flour or ground oats to thicken slightly.
Delicious Variations
- Peanut Butter Banana Brownies: Substitute almond butter with natural peanut butter.
- Nut-Free Version: Use sunflower seed butter in place of almond butter.
- Walnut Crunch: Fold in 1/3 cup chopped walnuts for texture.
- Mocha Twist: Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso granules to the batter for a coffee-chocolate flavor.
- Berry Swirl: Drop spoonfuls of raspberry jam on top before baking and swirl gently for a fruity note.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these brownies vegan?
A: Yes. Use maple syrup instead of honey. Make sure your dark chocolate chips are dairy-free. The rest of the recipe is plant-based.
Q: My batter is very runny. What should I do?
A: Batter should be thick but spreadable. If it’s too thin, fold in 1–2 tablespoons of oat flour or ground oats to absorb moisture. Also ensure bananas aren’t overly watery—very ripe is good, but extremely mushy fruit can thin the batter.
Q: Can I use cocoa powder with sugar already added?
A: It’s best to use unsweetened cocoa powder so you control sweetness. If you only have sweetened cocoa, reduce the honey/maple syrup slightly and taste the batter.
Q: Do I need to peel the parchment before slicing?
A: Peel back the parchment to lift the brownies out for easier slicing. Let them cool fully for neat slices; slightly warm brownies will be softer and may crumble.
Q: How do I know when brownies are done?
A: Insert a toothpick into the center. A few moist crumbs are fine—if it comes out wet, bake another 2–4 minutes. The edges will look set and slightly pulled away from the pan.
Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Yes. Double ingredients and bake in a 9×13 pan. Baking time will increase—check between 25–35 minutes.
Conclusion
These Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies are an easy, quick way to enjoy a chocolate treat that leans on real food. They are fudgy, banana-forward, and simple enough for weeknights or a healthy dessert swap. If you’d like another simple flourless banana-brownie idea, check out this version: Healthy Banana Brownies (3 Ingredients, Flourless) – The Conscious Plant Kitchen. Give these a try—you’ll love the warm chocolate aroma and the soft, fudgy bite.
Print
Delicious Healthy Banana Brownies
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 9 squares 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fudgy, chocolatey banana brownies made with ripe bananas and almond butter, naturally sweetened and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1/2 cup almond butter
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease if preferred.
- Mash the ripe bananas in a large bowl until mostly smooth. Stir in the almond butter, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined. Add the cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix just until combined—do not overmix. Fold in the dark chocolate chips if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes. Test with a toothpick — a few moist crumbs are fine; the center should not be raw.
- Allow the brownies to cool completely in the pan for about 20–30 minutes before lifting out and cutting into 9 squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness and moisture. Don’t overbake; start checking at 18 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
