Healthy Banana Brownies Recipe
These healthy banana brownies are a delicious and nutritious twist on traditional brownies. Made with ripe bananas, oat flour, and dark chocolate, they’re naturally sweetened with maple syrup and packed with wholesome ingredients. Perfect as a guilt-free treat or snack, they offer a fudgy texture with a subtle banana flavor and optional crunchy nuts for added texture.
- Author: Cleo
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 9-12 brownies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt (or applesauce)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
Dry Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup oat flour (or almond flour for a grain-free option)
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Optional: 1/4 tsp cinnamon for added warmth
Mix-ins:
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (70% or higher)
- Optional: chopped walnuts or pecans for a crunchy topping
- Preheat and Prep: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang for easy removal later.
- Mash the Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash your ripe bananas until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your brownies will be.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Crack in the eggs, then add maple syrup, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and melted coconut oil. Whisk everything together until fully combined and smooth.
- Mix in the Dry Ingredients: Sift in the cocoa powder to avoid clumps. Add the oat flour, baking soda, sea salt, and cinnamon if using. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon until a thick, fudgy batter forms.
- Fold in Chocolate and Extras: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate. If you like a little crunch, add chopped walnuts or pecans at this stage.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle a few more chocolate chips or nuts on top for a bakery-style finish. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes. Then lift the brownies out using the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board. Slice into 9 squares for standard size or 12 for smaller bites.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness and flavor.
- Oat flour can be substituted with almond flour for a grain-free option.
- The maple syrup can be replaced with honey if preferred.
- Optional cinnamon adds a warm, spicy note that complements the cocoa.
- Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for added crunch and texture.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate to extend freshness.
- These brownies can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw before serving.
Keywords: banana brownies, healthy brownies, gluten-free brownies, oat flour brownies, vegan option brownies, dark chocolate brownies, low sugar brownies