If you’ve ever stared at a couple of overripe bananas on the counter and thought, “Well, I should probably make banana bread again,” I’ve got a twist for you. These banana brownies are rich, fudgy, and ridiculously simple. We’re talking only three ingredients, and yes, your sweet tooth will thank you for this shortcut. What I love most is how they manage to taste indulgent while actually being part of the healthy banana recipes club. I mean, who knew bananas could moonlight as brownie heroes? The texture is somewhere between a dense banana bread and a gooey brownie—so think banana bread brownies recipe, but faster and lazier. Whether you’re after banana dessert recipes easy enough for kids, searching for banana healthy recipes that still feel like a treat, or just wanting a 3 ingredient banana bread recipe that isn’t bread, this one checks every box. Banana recipes healthy don’t always excite me, but this one does because it’s the kind of sweet fix I don’t feel guilty about. Grab a fork or don’t—your call.

Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
- 4) How to Make 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
- 5) Tips for Making 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
- 6) Making 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
- 8) Try these Dessert next!
- 9) 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
- These brownies need only three ingredients and no special skills.
- The texture balances between banana bread and fudgy brownies.
- Perfect way to use ripe bananas without making banana bread again.
- Recipe is quick, healthy, and family-friendly.
2) Easy 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies Recipe
I love recipes that don’t ask for a lot of me, and these brownies might be the easiest thing I’ve baked all year. Imagine grabbing two bananas, a scoop of cocoa, and a dollop of nut butter, and calling it dessert. That’s the magic. The fact that they belong to the family of banana dessert recipes makes me feel like I’m treating myself while keeping things simple.

The first bite reminded me of banana bread, but softer, denser, more like a rich bar than a loaf. If you’ve ever wondered how banana bread brownies recipe would taste, here’s your answer. They manage to be chocolatey without being heavy, and banana-sweet without tipping into candy territory.

I’ve shared these with friends who are usually skeptical of healthy banana recipes, and they all asked for seconds. That’s how I know I’ve found a keeper. They’re easy enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for company. If banana recipes healthy ever felt boring, this is the exception.

3) Ingredients for 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
Bananas: Ripe bananas give these brownies sweetness and moisture. They replace sugar and eggs in one go. When the peels turn spotted and soft, that’s your signal. I sometimes freeze bananas when they go too ripe and thaw them for this recipe, which works beautifully.
Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder creates the chocolate base. Use unsweetened to let the bananas carry the sweetness. The darker the cocoa, the richer the flavor. I prefer Dutch-processed, but regular works too. If you’re a fan of bold flavor, a tablespoon of espresso powder blends well here.
Nut Butter: Almond, peanut, or cashew butter all work. They add fat and body so the brownies set. I’ve tried crunchy peanut butter, and it gave little bites of texture. Smooth nut butter makes the brownies uniform, fudgy, and creamy. You get to choose what you like.
4) How to Make 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
Step 1. Heat your oven to 350°F. Grab a small square pan and line it with parchment. Don’t skip the parchment, unless you enjoy chiseling brownies out of a dish.
Step 2. In a mixing bowl, mash bananas until smooth. A fork does the trick. This is where the smell of ripe bananas hits your nose.
Step 3. Stir in cocoa powder and nut butter. Mix until it looks thick and glossy. The batter won’t be runny like cake batter. It’s dense, almost like cookie dough.
Step 4. Spread the mixture into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top. You want even baking, so push it into the corners.
Step 5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. The edges will look set, but the middle stays soft. That’s perfect. Pull them out and let them cool before cutting.
5) Tips for Making 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
Use bananas that look almost too ripe. Green or yellow ones won’t give the right sweetness or texture. Black spots are what you want. They blend smooth and sweet.
If you love extra chocolate, fold in a handful of chocolate chips. They melt into gooey pockets and make the brownies taste closer to bakery-style treats. Chopped walnuts or pecans add crunch if you like contrast.
Don’t overbake. These brownies work best when fudgy, not cakey. They firm up as they cool, so even if the middle looks soft, trust the process. Letting them rest makes them slice neatly.
6) Making 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies Ahead of Time
I’ve baked these the night before a potluck, and they were still delicious the next day. If you want to prep ahead, just bake as normal, cool them, and wrap them tightly in foil. The flavor deepens after sitting overnight, almost like banana bread.
For an even fresher taste, mix the batter the day before, cover the bowl, and keep it in the fridge. Bake the next morning. The cold rest gives the brownies an even chewier bite.
Don’t slice them until you’re ready to serve if you’re storing overnight. Whole brownies hold moisture better than cut squares. Slice at the table, and people will think you baked them that morning.
7) Storing Leftover 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
Keep brownies in an airtight container on the counter for up to two days. After that, I recommend moving them to the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for four days chilled.
If you like them warm, pop a piece in the microwave for ten seconds. It softens the texture and makes the chocolate smell stronger. Top with a scoop of ice cream and it feels like a restaurant dessert.
For longer storage, freeze them. Place squares between sheets of parchment in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for two months. Let them thaw on the counter, and they’ll taste just as good as fresh.
8) Try these Dessert next!
9) 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies

Banana Dessert Recipes Easy 3 Ingredient Banana Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup nut butter (like almond, peanut, or cashew)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a small baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mash the bananas until smooth.
- Stir in the cocoa powder and nut butter until well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared dish.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until set but still fudgy in the middle.
- Let cool before slicing into squares.
10) Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 square | Calories: 120 | Sugar: 6g | Sodium: 50mg | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1.5g | Carbohydrates: 15g | Fiber: 3g | Protein: 3g
Recipe by Lila from Lila Cooks.



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