Name: Banana Brownies – Best Banana Dessert Recipes for Chocolate Lovers
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 bananas); 1/2 cup melted butter or coconut oil; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional, but come on—yes please)

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I’ve baked a lot of brownies in my life, but these banana brownies have a special place in my heart. They’re the kind of dessert that makes your whole kitchen smell like comfort and nostalgia. Ripe bananas meet rich cocoa, and suddenly you’ve got a batch of chewy, fudgy squares that walk the line between banana bread and brownies. It’s like they had a sweet little love story in the oven, and we get to taste the happy ending. Now, if you’re wondering what to do with those bananas on your counter that look like they’re begging for retirement, this is the recipe. Think of it as banana bread’s more indulgent cousin—the one who shows up to family reunions wearing leather jackets and making everyone laugh. With this banana bread brownies recipe, you’ll never look at ripe bananas the same way again. Whether you’re hunting for banana recipes that don’t feel boring, or you’re searching for banana dessert recipes easy enough to whip up on a weeknight, these brownies check every box. They’re not fussy, they don’t demand fancy ingredients, and they reward you with that perfect chewy bite. So next time you’re scrolling through recipes banana bread style, stop right here. This is one of those easy banana recipes that feels both homey and impressive at the same time.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Banana Brownies Recipe
3) Ingredients for Banana Brownies
4) How to Make Banana Brownies
5) Tips for Making Banana Brownies
6) Making Banana Brownies Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Banana Brownies
8) Try these Dessert Recipes next!
9) Banana Brownies
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

These banana brownies strike a balance between banana bread and fudgy brownies.
You only need simple pantry ingredients and ripe bananas.
The recipe works for casual family nights or more polished gatherings.
It’s a versatile banana dessert recipe that’s fun to bake and easy to share.

2) Easy Banana Brownies Recipe

Let me tell you, I’ve tried plenty of banana recipes, but this one never fails to win people over. It blends the deep chocolate flavor of brownies with the sweet comfort of ripe bananas. When you pull them out of the oven, the air feels warmer, and suddenly your kitchen feels like a place where everyone wants to hang out. You’ll see what I mean when the first square disappears before it’s cooled.

I love how easy this banana bread brownies recipe comes together. No fancy mixers, no complicated steps. Just you, a whisk, and a bowl of ripe bananas. It feels more like playing in the kitchen than following strict rules. This is one of those easy banana recipes that gives you a reward greater than the effort you put in. Isn’t that what we’re all looking for on a busy day?

The first time I baked these, my family asked if it was banana bread or brownies. I shrugged and said both. And that’s the beauty of it. It fits right in the sweet spot of banana dessert recipes easy enough for weeknights but rich enough to impress anyone who shows up at your table.

3) Ingredients for Banana Brownies

Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better. Brown spots mean natural sweetness, and that’s exactly what gives these brownies their soft texture and depth of flavor.

Butter or Coconut Oil: Melted butter gives a classic richness. Coconut oil works if you like a lighter touch with a subtle hint of coconut in the background.

Sugar: Regular granulated sugar is all you need here. It balances the cocoa and highlights the bananas’ natural sweetness.

Eggs: Two eggs bring everything together and keep the brownies moist. They’re the glue that makes the batter feel smooth and bake evenly.

Vanilla Extract: A splash of vanilla softens the cocoa and blends beautifully with the banana flavor. It’s the little detail that makes the taste rounded and warm.

Flour: All-purpose flour works perfectly. It holds the structure without stealing the spotlight from the banana and chocolate combination.

Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa creates that rich, dark chocolate taste that keeps these from being just another banana bread recipe.

Baking Powder: A small amount helps lift the batter so the brownies don’t end up too dense.

Salt: Just a pinch sharpens all the flavors. Sweet desserts need salt to taste complete.

Chocolate Chips: Optional, but they melt into pockets of gooey chocolate that make each bite feel special.

4) How to Make Banana Brownies

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper. Trust me, this will save you the headache of prying brownies from the pan later.

Step 2. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. Stir in the melted butter and mix until it feels creamy and glossy.

Step 3. Whisk in the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. The batter should look thick but smooth at this point.

Step 4. Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into the bowl. Fold gently. Stop mixing once you no longer see dry streaks. Overmixing will rob you of that chewy texture.

Step 5. Add the chocolate chips if you’re using them. Fold them in lightly, so they scatter throughout the batter.

Step 6. Pour the batter into the pan and spread it evenly. Smooth the top so it bakes evenly without rising in awkward peaks.

Step 7. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs. That’s when you know they’re ready.

Step 8. Cool the brownies before slicing. Or don’t. I’ve burned my tongue more than once because patience wasn’t in the recipe card.

5) Tips for Making Banana Brownies

Here’s something I learned after years of baking. Brownies don’t like too much attention. Mix the batter just enough, then leave it alone. The more you stir, the tougher they get. So trust the process and put the spoon down sooner than you think.

Use bananas that look like they’re ready for banana bread recipes. You know the ones—soft, spotted, almost begging to be baked. Those bring the right sweetness and keep the brownies moist without extra fuss.

If you want to get fancy, sprinkle some sea salt on top before baking. It takes the chocolate flavor from good to unforgettable. It’s one of those little touches that turns easy banana recipes into something worth talking about long after the plate is empty.

6) Making Banana Brownies Ahead of Time

Here’s the best part about this recipe. You can make it ahead and still have it taste fresh. I often bake a pan in the evening, let it cool, and then cut it the next day when the flavors have deepened. It’s like the bananas and chocolate keep whispering to each other overnight.

If you’re planning to serve them later, wrap the cooled brownies tightly in foil or plastic. They’ll stay soft and chewy for a couple of days. When I’ve got company coming, I make them the day before. Nobody has ever guessed they weren’t baked that morning.

You can even freeze them. Slice the brownies first, wrap each piece, and freeze. Warm one up when the craving hits, and it’s like having fresh banana dessert recipes on demand whenever you want.

7) Storing Leftover Banana Brownies

On the rare occasion you don’t finish the pan, storage is simple. Place the brownies in an airtight container. Keep them on the counter if you’ll eat them within two days. Beyond that, the fridge helps them last up to a week.

I’ve noticed they taste even richer after a night in the fridge. The flavors settle in, and the texture becomes fudgier. It’s like they’re getting better with age, which doesn’t happen with many desserts.

If you froze some, just thaw them on the counter for a couple of hours. They’ll be ready when you are. That’s the beauty of recipes banana bread inspired—they hold up well and adapt to whatever you need.

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9) Banana Brownies