If you have a few overripe bananas sitting on your kitchen counter, turn them into something extra delicious with these easy banana bread brownies. They combine the rich, soft texture of brownies with the sweet, comforting flavor of homemade banana bread.
These banana brownies are soft, moist, slightly fudgy, and packed with real banana flavor. They require simple ingredients, come together quickly, and make a wonderful dessert or afternoon snack.
Whether you're looking for an easy way to use overripe bananas or simply want a cozy homemade treat, this recipe is definitely worth trying.
Why You'll Love These Banana Bread Brownies
- Soft and fudgy texture: They are moist in the center without being overly dense.
- Perfect for ripe bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the brownies.
- Easy ingredients: You probably already have most of them in your pantry.
- Quick to prepare: The batter comes together in just a few minutes.
- Family-friendly: Kids and adults will love these sweet banana treats.
- Customizable: Add chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans for extra flavor.
Digital kitchen scale — great for accurate flour and sugar measurements.
Hand mixer — useful for mixing the brownie batter smoothly.
Mixing bowl set — directly relevant to preparing the batter.
9×9-inch baking pan — one of the most natural products to promote because readers need a pan for the recipe.
Cooling rack — useful for cooling the banana brownies before slicing.
Ingredients
For the banana bread brownies, you'll need:
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional Add-Ins
You can also add:
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. Lightly grease the parchment paper.
2. Mash the Bananas
Place the ripe bananas in a large mixing bowl and mash them thoroughly with a fork.
A few small banana pieces are perfectly fine, but try to make the mixture mostly smooth.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients
Add the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar to the mashed bananas.
Whisk until everything is well combined.
Add the egg and vanilla extract and mix again until smooth.
4. Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture.
Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the brownies less tender.
If you're using chocolate chips or nuts, gently fold them into the batter.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly.
Bake for approximately 25–32 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
For fudgier banana brownies, avoid overbaking them.
6. Cool and Slice
Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for at least 20–30 minutes.
Use the parchment paper to lift them from the pan, then cut into squares and serve.
Tips for the Best Banana Bread Brownies
Use Very Ripe Bananas
Brown-spotted or heavily speckled bananas are ideal. They contain more natural sweetness and give the brownies a stronger banana flavor.
Don't Overmix the Batter
Once the flour is added, mix only until you no longer see dry flour. Overmixing can result in a tougher texture.
Don't Overbake
The secret to soft and fudgy banana brownies is taking them out of the oven when the center is just set. A toothpick should have a few moist crumbs attached.
Let Them Cool
Although they smell amazing when they come out of the oven, allowing them to cool helps the texture become softer and fudgier.
Delicious Variations
Chocolate Chip Banana Brownies
Fold ½ cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips into the batter before baking.
Walnut Banana Brownies
Add ½ cup of chopped walnuts for a delicious combination of soft banana and crunchy nuts.
Peanut Butter Banana Brownies
Swirl a few tablespoons of creamy peanut butter over the batter before baking.
Chocolate Banana Brownies
For a richer chocolate version, add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients.
How to Store Banana Bread Brownies
Store leftover banana brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
You can also freeze the brownies. Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
How to Serve Them
These banana bread brownies are delicious on their own, but you can make them even more special by serving them with:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream
- A drizzle of melted chocolate
- Peanut butter
- Caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- A dusting of powdered sugar
- Fresh banana slices
They're perfect for an easy dessert, lunchbox treat, afternoon snack, or casual weekend baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen bananas?
Yes. Thaw frozen bananas completely and drain off any excess liquid before mashing them.
Can I make these banana brownies without brown sugar?
Yes. You can replace the brown sugar with additional granulated sugar. However, brown sugar adds extra moisture and a deeper flavor.
Why are my banana brownies not fudgy?
The most common reason is overbaking. Start checking them around the 25-minute mark and remove them once the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Chocolate chips are one of the easiest ways to make these banana bread brownies even more delicious.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. For a larger batch, double the ingredients and use a larger baking pan. Keep an eye on the baking time because it may vary depending on the size and depth of the pan.
Final Thoughts
These easy banana bread brownies are the perfect solution for using up ripe bananas. They're simple to make, wonderfully soft and fudgy, and have the comforting flavor of banana bread in an irresistible brownie-style dessert.
If you love easy homemade desserts, keep this recipe handy whenever you have overripe bananas. Add chocolate chips or nuts, serve them warm with ice cream, or enjoy them straight from the pan for a simple and satisfying treat.
Recipe Card
Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25–32 minutes
Cooling Time: 20–30 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Servings: 12 brownies
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Mash the bananas in a large bowl.
- Add melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Mix well.
- Whisk in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the banana mixture until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in chocolate chips or nuts if desired.
- Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 25–32 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool for 20–30 minutes before slicing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tip: For the softest and fudgiest banana bread brownies, use very ripe bananas and avoid overbaking.
Love easy banana desserts? If you enjoyed these banana bread brownies, you’ll find even more delicious plant-based dessert ideas in our 200 + vegan recipe E-book, packed with recipes for cookies, cakes, brownies, muffins, and other easy vegan treats.
