Name: Banana Bread Brownies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted); 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 2 ripe bananas (mashed); 1 cup all-purpose flour (sifted); 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 cup unsalted butter (browned); 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted); 2 tbsp milk (add more as needed for consistency); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Banana bread brownies are the perfect hybrid dessert that combines the moist, comforting flavor of banana bread with the dense, fudgy texture of brownies. If you have overripe bananas sitting on your counter and a craving for something sweet, this recipe will become your new favorite way to use them up.

I discovered this recipe on a rainy Sunday afternoon when I couldn’t decide between baking banana bread or brownies. Why not both? The result was a revelation. These treats satisfy chocolate lovers and banana bread fans alike, creating a dessert that’s neither too heavy nor too light.

What makes this banana dessert special is how the natural sweetness of ripe bananas reduces the need for excess sugar while keeping everything incredibly moist. You get the best of both worlds in every bite.

Ingredients for Moist Banana Bread Brownies

Getting the right ingredients is essential for perfect results. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ripe bananas, flour, cocoa powder, chocolate chips and baking ingredients for banana brownies

Wet Ingredients:

3 large ripe bananas (the spottier, the better)
1/2 cup melted butter (unsalted)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar

Dry Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional but recommended)

Mix-ins:

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

The secret to moist banana bread texture is using very ripe bananas. Those brown-spotted ones you almost threw away? They’re perfect. The riper the banana, the sweeter and more flavorful your brownies will be.

Instructions: How to Make Banana Brownie Recipe

Follow these simple steps for perfect results every time.

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides. This makes removal easy later. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or cooking spray.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

In a large mixing bowl, mash your ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth. A few small lumps are fine and add texture. You should have about 1 and 1/4 cups of mashed banana.

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients

Add the melted butter to your mashed bananas and stir well. Mix in both sugars until combined. The mixture should look creamy and slightly grainy from the sugar.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. Your batter should be smooth and glossy at this point.

Stirring mashed bananas with melted butter and sugar in mixing bowl

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. This step prevents lumps and ensures even distribution of leavening agents.

Step 5: Fold Everything Together

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a spatula and fold until just combined. Don’t overmix. A few streaks of flour are okay. Overmixing creates tough, dense brownies instead of tender ones.

Fold in the chocolate chips and nuts if using. Reserve a handful of chocolate chips to sprinkle on top for a prettier presentation.

Step 6: Bake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips on top.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The edges should look set and slightly pull away from the pan. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.

Step 7: Cool and Cut

Let the brownies cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Use the parchment overhang to lift them onto a cutting board. Cool completely before cutting into squares. This prevents crumbling and gives cleaner cuts.

Lifting banana brownies from baking pan using parchment paper

Pro Tips and Variations

These tips will take your banana bread bars from good to absolutely incredible.

For the Moistest Results:

Use bananas that are very ripe with plenty of brown spots. The darker the peel, the sweeter and more flavorful they are. If your bananas aren’t ripe enough, place them in a paper bag for a day or two to speed up ripening.

Don’t overbake. These brownies continue cooking slightly after you remove them from the oven. Taking them out when they’re just set creates that perfect fudgy texture.

Making Banana Brownies with Frosting:

Want to make these extra special? Top them with cream cheese frosting. Mix 4 ounces of softened cream cheese with 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Spread over cooled brownies.

Chocolate ganache also works beautifully. Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream until simmering, pour over 1 cup chocolate chips, and let sit for 5 minutes before stirring smooth. Pour over cooled brownies.

Banana Brownies Healthy Version:

Replace half the butter with Greek yogurt or applesauce. Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose. Reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup. Add an extra banana for sweetness. Use dark chocolate chips for added antioxidants.

You can also use coconut oil instead of butter for a dairy-free option. The coconut flavor pairs wonderfully with banana.

Quick Banana Bread Shortcuts:

Press for time? Use a box brownie mix as your base. Just add one mashed banana to the mix and reduce the oil by 2 tablespoons. The banana adds moisture and flavor while cutting prep time in half.

Banana Nut Brownies:

Love nuts? Double the amount of walnuts or pecans. Toast them first for 5 minutes in a 350°F oven to bring out their flavor. You can also try adding macadamia nuts or hazelnuts for something different.

Storage Tips:

Store these banana based recipes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay incredibly moist thanks to the banana. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months.

To freeze, cut into individual squares, wrap each in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature for the perfect sweet snack anytime.

Serving Suggestions for This Banana Dessert

These versatile treats work for any occasion.

For Breakfast or Brunch:

Serve warm with a pat of butter melting on top. Pair with your morning coffee or tea. The banana provides natural energy to start your day right.

As an Afternoon Snack:

Cut into smaller squares for portion control. Pack them in lunchboxes. They’re filling enough to satisfy hunger between meals without being too heavy.

For Dessert:

Warm a square in the microwave for 15 seconds. Top with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce. The warm brownie and cold ice cream combination is unbeatable.

Add a dollop of whipped cream and fresh banana slices for an elegant presentation at dinner parties.

For Special Occasions:

Dust with powdered sugar and serve on pretty plates. Cut into small bite-sized pieces for parties. They’re one of the best sweet snacks recipes for gatherings because everyone loves them.

Beverage Pairings:

These pair wonderfully with cold milk, hot chocolate, or coffee. For adults, try them with a dessert wine or Irish cream liqueur.

Conclusion

This banana brownie recipe proves you don’t need to choose between your favorite baking sweets. These banana bread brownies deliver the best of both worlds in one easy recipe.

The beauty of this dessert lies in its simplicity. You probably have most ingredients in your pantry right now. Those overripe bananas you almost tossed become the star of an incredible treat that friends and family will request again and again.

Whether you make the classic version, add frosting, or try the healthier variation, you’re guaranteed a moist, flavorful result. The combination of banana and chocolate never disappoints.

So grab those spotted bananas and get baking. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and you’ll have a batch of delicious ripe banana desserts ready in under an hour. Trust me, these won’t last long once people taste them.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?

Yes! Thaw frozen bananas completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas are actually perfect because they become very soft and sweet when thawed, making them ideal for banana nut brownies.

How do I know when the brownies are done?

Insert a toothpick in the center. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. The edges will pull slightly away from the pan. Remember that these banana bread bars continue cooking after you remove them from the oven.

Can I make these without eggs?

Yes. Replace each egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water, let sit 5 minutes). You can also use 1/4 cup applesauce per egg. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

What’s the difference between banana bread bars and banana bread brownies?

The main difference is texture and cocoa content. Banana bread bars are lighter and more cake-like, similar to sliced banana bread. Banana bread brownies include cocoa powder and have a denser, fudgier texture like traditional brownies.

Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?

Yes, but don’t reduce it by more than 1/3 cup total. The sugar helps create the right texture and browning. Very ripe bananas provide natural sweetness, so if yours are extremely spotted, you can safely reduce the sugar slightly.

Why are my brownies too dry?

Overbaking is the main culprit. Also check that you measured flour correctly. Too much flour creates dry brownies. Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off rather than scooping directly from the bag, which packs it down.

Can I add other mix-ins?

Absolutely! Try peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, dried cranberries, or shredded coconut. Keep the total amount of mix-ins to about 1 cup so the batter isn’t overwhelmed.

How ripe should my bananas be?

The riper the better for bread recipes sweet like this one. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots or even completely brown peels. They should be soft to the touch and very fragrant.

Banana bread brownies with chocolate chips on wooden board

John