Banana Brownies

Try banana brownies! This easy recipe combines the rich, fudgy taste of brownies with a touch of sweet banana flavor. It’s a perfect way to use ripe bananas and makes a delicious treat.

A Brief History of Banana Brownies

The classic brownie has been a beloved dessert in America since the early 20th century, but adding bananas to brownies is a more recent invention. This variation likely came about as a creative way to use overripe bananas, allowing bakers to reduce waste while adding natural sweetness and moisture to traditional brownies. Over time, banana brownies gained popularity for their unique flavor and rich texture, turning into a fun, innovative twist on an old favorite.

Why We Love This Banana Brownies Recipe

  • Perfectly Moist Texture: Thanks to the bananas, these brownies are incredibly moist and dense.
  • Balanced Sweetness: The natural sugars in bananas help keep the brownies from being overly sweet.
  • Easy to Make: You don’t need any fancy equipment, and it’s quick to put together.
  • Great Use of Ripe Bananas: This recipe is perfect if you have bananas that are too ripe for snacking but ideal for baking.
  • Customizable: From swirling peanut butter to adding nuts or chocolate chips, there are plenty of ways to make these brownies your own.
Banana Brownies

Ingredients You’ll Need for Banana Brownies

  • Ripe Bananas
    Use two medium-sized, fully ripe bananas with brown spots for the best sweetness and moisture. Overripe bananas are essential—they’re sweeter, mash easily, and provide the soft texture that makes these brownies moist. Avoid underripe bananas, as they lack the necessary sweetness and can make the batter too dense.
  • Cocoa Powder
    100 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder is used for a rich, chocolatey flavor. Opt for premium-quality cocoa powder to achieve the richest flavor. Avoid substituting with hot chocolate mix, as it contains sugar and milk powder, which can alter the recipe.
  • Vanilla Extract
    One tablespoon of pure vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic flavor to the brownies. Avoid imitation vanilla, as it lacks the depth and richness of the real thing.
  • Unsalted Butter
    225 grams of unsalted butter, melted, provides a smooth and rich texture. If using salted butter, reduce the additional salt in the recipe by half. For a dairy-free alternative, use plant-based butter as a substitute.
  • Dark Chocolate
    300 grams of roughly chopped dark chocolate add pockets of melted richness throughout the brownies. Opt for chocolate with at least 60-70% cocoa content for a deeper flavor. Milk chocolate is not recommended, as it’s too sweet and lacks the intensity of dark chocolate.
  • Natural Peanut Butter
    100 grams of natural peanut butter is used for a decorative swirl on top. Slightly warm the peanut butter for easier swirling. Avoid using sweetened or processed peanut butter, as it can affect the sweetness and texture.

By using quality ingredients, you’ll ensure your banana brownies come out rich, chocolatey, and absolutely delicious.

How to Make Banana Brownies

Prep the Pan and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
Mash the Bananas: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth, then whisk in the egg.
Add the Dry Ingredients: Mix in cocoa powder, espresso powder (optional), baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Melt Chocolate and Butter: In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter, sugar, and chocolate until glossy.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually whisk the warm chocolate mixture into the banana batter.
Incorporate Flour: Fold in flour gently to avoid overmixing.
Swirl with Peanut Butter: Pour batter into the pan, and swirl warmed peanut butter on top for a decorative finish.
Bake and Cool: Bake for 25-28 minutes, let cool completely, then slice and serve.

Expert Tips for Perfect Banana Brownies

Making perfect banana brownies can be easy if you keep a few tips in mind:

  • Use Ripe Bananas: Ripe bananas with brown spots are sweeter and mash easily, adding the right moisture.
  • Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix until just combined to avoid tough brownies.
  • Warm Your Peanut Butter: Slightly warm peanut butter will be easier to swirl on top of the brownie batter.
  • Chill Before Cutting: For neat, fudgy slices, let the brownies chill in the fridge before slicing.

These tips will help you achieve a rich and decadent result every time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using Bananas That Aren’t Ripe Enough: Under-ripe bananas don’t mash well and won’t add the needed sweetness.
  • Overbaking: It’s easy to overbake brownies; remember, they continue to cook as they cool.
  • Skipping the Cooling Step: Cutting brownies before they’re fully cooled can make them crumbly and messy.

Avoiding these mistakes will ensure your banana brownies turn out perfectly each time.

Variations to Try

  • Nutty Banana Brownies: Add chopped walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch.
  • Extra Chocolate Chips: If you’re a chocolate lover, stir in some chocolate chips before baking.
  • Spicy Kick: Try a dash of cinnamon or even cayenne pepper for a surprising twist.

Experimenting with these variations can help you find your favorite way to enjoy banana brownies.

Vegan Adaptations

If you’d like to make this recipe vegan, here are some easy swaps:

  • Flax Egg Substitute: Replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flax mixed with 3 tablespoons of water).
  • Dairy-Free Butter and Chocolate: Use plant-based butter and dairy-free chocolate.

These simple changes will help you create a delicious vegan version without sacrificing taste.

Serving Suggestions

Here are some creative ways to serve your banana brownies:

  • With Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream is a fantastic pairing.
  • Drizzled with Chocolate Sauce: A drizzle of melted chocolate adds extra indulgence.
  • With Fresh Berries: A handful of raspberries or strawberries balances the rich chocolate flavor.

How to Store Banana Brownies

To keep your banana brownies fresh:

  • Refrigerate: For longer storage, refrigerate in a covered container for up to a week.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual brownies in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.

Storing them properly ensures you’ll have a treat ready whenever you crave one.

Frequently Asked Questions about banana brownies

How long do you bake banana brownies for?

Banana brownies typically need about 25 to 28 minutes of baking time. During this period, the brownies should be baked at a moderate temperature, usually around 350°F (175°C). This timing helps achieve that ideal brownie texture: set and slightly firm on the edges while keeping the center a bit soft and gooey. This slight softness in the center is crucial for a fudgy consistency that remains moist. Over-baking can lead to dry, crumbly brownies, so it’s best to watch for the edges to set and use a toothpick to check that the center is only slightly undercooked.

Can bananas replace oil in brownies?

Yes, bananas can work as an effective replacement for oil or butter in brownies. Ripe bananas are naturally moist and help to bind the ingredients together, making them a great substitute. Using bananas instead of oil or butter not only reduces the overall fat content but also infuses a mild, natural sweetness into the brownies. However, the texture will be slightly different; bananas can make the brownies a bit denser and less greasy than those made with oil or butter. This substitution works especially well in recipes aiming for a moist, tender result, and it adds a subtle banana flavor that pairs well with chocolate.

Can bananas replace eggs in brownies?

Ripe bananas can act as an egg substitute in brownie recipes due to their ability to bind ingredients together, much like eggs do. For every egg you want to replace, you can use about ¼ cup of mashed banana. The resulting brownies will have a denser texture and a softer crumb, which is typical when omitting eggs. Bananas add moisture and sweetness, but since they don’t provide the leavening that eggs contribute, the brownies might be a little less fluffy. This substitute is great for creating egg-free or vegan brownies, especially when combined with other leavening agents like baking powder.

Can I add fruit to my brownie mix?

Yes, adding fruit to your brownie mix can enhance both the flavor and texture of your brownies. Fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, and dried fruits such as cranberries or raisins, are popular additions. Fresh fruits add bursts of juiciness and a slight tartness that complements the richness of chocolate, while dried fruits introduce a chewy texture and concentrated sweetness. When adding fresh fruit, it’s best to fold them gently into the batter to prevent them from releasing too much juice, which could affect the brownie’s structure. Dried fruits can be mixed directly into the batter, providing balance to the dense, fudgy texture of brownies. This customization adds color, flavor variety, and a fun twist to the classic brownie recipe.

More Brownies recipes you will love!

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Here’s a list of essential cooking tools you’ll need
for the Banana Brownie recipe:

Mixing Bowls:
Whisk:
Measuring Cups and Spoons:
Rubber Spatula:
9×9-inch Baking Pan:

Banana Brownies

Decadent Banana Brownies Recipe

Banana brownies combine the rich, fudgy texture of classic chocolate brownies with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas, creating a delicious twist on a beloved dessert. Perfect for chocolate lovers and a great way to use up overripe bananas!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 28 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ripe bananas mashed
  • 1 large egg
  • 100 g cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 225 g unsalted butter melted
  • 350 g granulated sugar
  • 300 g dark chocolate roughly chopped
  • 180 g all-purpose flour
  • 100 g natural peanut butter for swirling

Instructions
 

Prep the Pan and Oven

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.

Mash the Bananas

  • In a large mixing bowl, add your ripe bananas and mash them with a fork until they’re smooth. Then, crack in the egg and whisk until the mixture is fully combined.

Add the Dry Ingredients

  • Into the banana mixture, add the cocoa powder, espresso powder (if using), baking powder, salt, and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until you have a smooth, chocolatey batter.

Melt the Chocolate and Butter

  • In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, granulated sugar, and dark chocolate together. Stir until most of the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks glossy.

Combine the Wet and Dry Mixtures

  • Slowly pour the warm chocolate mixture into the banana batter, whisking constantly. This helps everything blend smoothly without cooking the egg.

Incorporate the Flour

  • Add the flour to the mixture and gently fold until combined. Be cautious not to overmix, as this could result in denser brownies.

Add the Batter to the Pan and Swirl with Peanut Butter

  • Pour your brownie batter into the lined pan. Then, take the peanut butter, warm it slightly if it’s stiff, and swirl it into the batter. This step adds a fun, delicious pattern on top.

Bake the Brownies

  • Place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-28 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft.

Cool, Slice, and Serve

  • Let the brownies cool completely before slicing. For a fudgy texture, you can chill them in the fridge for a few hours.

Notes

  • Bananas: Ensure bananas are ripe for optimal sweetness and moisture.
  • Peanut Butter: Slightly warming the peanut butter makes it easier to swirl.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, or freeze individual brownies for up to 3 months.