3 Ingredient Brownies with Banana
Discover these incredible 3 ingredient brownies with banana—naturally gluten-free, fudgy, and ready in 30 minutes with just pantry staples!
You know what? The best recipes are the ones that make you look like a kitchen genius with almost zero effort. That’s exactly what happened when I threw three pantry staples together one afternoon and discovered these ridiculously fudgy 3 ingredient brownies with banana.
I was desperate for something sweet after a particularly chaotic Tuesday (we’re talking spilled milk, missing homework, the whole nine yards). My daughter kept asking for brownies, but I just couldn’t face a complicated recipe. Then I remembered those overripe bananas sitting on my counter, begging to be used.
What came out of my oven that day changed everything. These healthy sweets recipes easy enough for beginners deliver that deep chocolate satisfaction without any flour, refined sugar, or fancy ingredients. Just three simple items you probably already have—and they’re naturally gluten-free, which means everyone at your table can enjoy them without worry.
Table of Contents
3 Ingredient Brownies with Banana
Equipment
- 15 cm x 15 cm brownie pan
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Fork or potato masher
- Sifter
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas Look for heavily spotted peels
- 120 grams creamy peanut butter 1/2 cup, room temperature works best
- 50 grams cocoa powder 1/2 cup, unsweetened, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 15 cm x 15 cm (7 inch x 7 inch) brownie pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This little trick will save you so much frustration when it’s time to slice and serve.
- Grab a large mixing bowl and mash those 3 ripe bananas until they’re completely smooth with no chunks remaining—this is where all that natural sweetness comes from. The riper your bananas, the sweeter your brownies will taste, so don’t toss those spotty ones!
- Add the creamy peanut butter to your mashed bananas and stir everything together until the mixture looks silky and well-combined. You’ll notice it starts to smell amazing already—that’s the magic of simple ingredients working together.
- Sift the cocoa powder directly into your bowl to avoid any lumps, then gently fold it into the banana mixture until you see a beautiful, glossy chocolate batter. Transfer this gorgeous mixture into your prepared brownie pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in your preheated oven for 22 to 30 minutes, checking around the 25-minute mark with a toothpick inserted in the center. You want it to come out with just a few moist crumbs—these brownies are meant to be fudgy, not cakey! Let them cool completely at room temperature before slicing into squares.
Notes
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ripe bananas | 3 medium | Look for heavily spotted peels |
| Creamy peanut butter | 120 grams (1/2 cup) | Room temperature works best |
| Cocoa powder | 50 grams (1/2 cup) | Unsweetened, sifted |
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 15 cm x 15 cm (7 inch x 7 inch) brownie pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later. This little trick will save you so much frustration when it’s time to slice and serve.
Step 2: Grab a large mixing bowl and mash those 3 ripe bananas until they’re completely smooth with no chunks remaining—this is where all that natural sweetness comes from. The riper your bananas, the sweeter your 3 ingredient brownies with banana will taste, so don’t toss those spotty ones!
Step 3: Add the creamy peanut butter to your mashed bananas and stir everything together until the mixture looks silky and well-combined. You’ll notice it starts to smell amazing already—that’s the magic of simple ingredients working together.
Step 4: Sift the cocoa powder directly into your bowl to avoid any lumps, then gently fold it into the banana mixture until you see a beautiful, glossy chocolate batter. Transfer this gorgeous mixture into your prepared brownie pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 5: Bake in your preheated oven for 22 to 30 minutes, checking around the 25-minute mark with a toothpick inserted in the center. You want it to come out with just a few moist crumbs—these fit sweets healthy snacks are meant to be fudgy, not cakey! Let them cool completely at room temperature before slicing into squares.
Substitutions
Peanut Butter Alternatives: If you’re dealing with peanut allergies or just want to switch things up, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter work beautifully in these 3 ingredients brownies. Each one brings its own subtle flavor twist, though I find almond butter creates an especially smooth texture.
Cocoa Powder Options: Regular unsweetened cocoa powder is perfect, but if you want an extra-rich, dark chocolate experience, try Dutch-process cocoa. Just keep the measurement the same—50 grams does the trick either way.
Banana Swap: Well… honestly, bananas are pretty essential here since they provide all the sweetness and binding power. If you’re not a banana fan, these might not be your ideal healthy sweets recipes easy go-to, but trust me—the banana flavor mellows significantly after baking and mostly just tastes like chocolate.
Troubleshooting
Too Wet or Undercooked: If your brownies seem soggy after the full baking time, your bananas might have been extra large or particularly moist. Pop them back in the oven for another 5 minutes and check again—every oven runs a bit differently.
Dry or Crumbly Texture: This usually means they baked a touch too long or your bananas weren’t quite ripe enough. Next time, aim for bananas with lots of brown spots and check your brownies at the 22-minute mark.
Won’t Hold Together: Make sure you’re letting these 3 ingredient brownies with banana cool completely before slicing—at least 30 minutes at room temperature. They firm up beautifully as they cool, giving you those perfect fudgy squares.
Sticking to the Pan: Always use parchment paper with overhang on two sides. This creates easy “handles” to lift the whole brownie slab out before cutting, making cleanup a breeze.
Storage and Meal Prep
Store your cooled brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to a week. They actually taste incredible cold—almost like fudgy chocolate candy!
For longer storage, these fit sweets healthy snacks freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Just wrap individual squares in parchment paper, then place them all in a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes, or enjoy them straight from the freezer for a cool, fudgy treat.
Serving Suggestions
These brownies are absolutely perfect on their own, but a dollop of coconut whipped cream or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate takes them over the top. I love serving them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for special weekend desserts.
They’re also fantastic as part of a brunch spread—pair them with fresh berries and your favorite gluten-free pumpkin cake for a gorgeous dessert table. Man, oh man, they disappear fast at birthday parties and potlucks, especially when you mention they’re made with just three simple ingredients!
Variations
Chocolate Chip Addition: Fold in 1/4 cup of dairy-free chocolate chips before baking for extra chocolate pockets throughout. Kids absolutely love this version, and it makes these healthy sweets recipes easy feel even more indulgent.
Nut-Free Version: Swap the peanut butter for sunflower seed butter to make these completely allergy-friendly for school lunches and playdates. The taste is slightly different but still wonderfully rich and satisfying.
Protein Boost: Stir in 2 tablespoons of your favorite chocolate protein powder along with the cocoa for an extra protein punch. This turns these 3 ingredients brownies into a perfect post-workout snack without changing the texture.
Swirl-In Fun: Before baking, drop small spoonfuls of almond butter or tahini on top and swirl with a knife for a beautiful marbled effect. It adds visual interest and a subtle flavor variation that feels fancy but takes just seconds.
3 Ingredient Brownies with Banana FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for these brownies?
Absolutely! Just thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Frozen bananas actually tend to be sweeter and mushier, which works perfectly for these 3 ingredient brownies with banana.
How ripe should my bananas be?
The riper, the better—look for heavily spotted or even fully brown peels. According to research on banana ripeness and sweetness, riper bananas contain more natural sugars, which means sweeter brownies without any added sweeteners.
What’s the texture like compared to regular brownies?
These are incredibly fudgy and dense rather than cakey. They have a rich, almost truffle-like consistency that makes them feel super decadent, even though they’re made from wholesome ingredients—perfect fit sweets healthy snacks for when you want to feel good about your dessert choice.
Can I make these without peanut butter?
Yes! Any nut or seed butter works beautifully. Almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter are all excellent alternatives that keep these healthy sweets recipes easy and allergy-friendly.
Why are my brownies too gooey in the middle?
Your bananas might have been larger than average, or your oven might run cool. Try baking for an additional 5-7 minutes, and make sure you’re using an oven thermometer to verify your actual temperature.
Best way to know when they’re done baking?
A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it—not wet batter, but not completely clean either. These 3 ingredients brownies continue firming up as they cool, so slightly underdone is better than overbaked.
Why These Simple Ingredient Brownies Work
The beauty of this recipe lies in how each ingredient serves multiple purposes. The bananas provide natural sweetness, moisture, and act as a binding agent—essentially doing the job of eggs, sugar, and oil all at once. Meanwhile, the peanut butter adds healthy fats and protein while contributing to that essential fudgy texture.
The cocoa powder brings all that deep chocolate flavor we crave without any processed ingredients. Together, these three humble ingredients transform into something that tastes way more complicated than the effort required. It’s exactly the kind of beginner-friendly baking approach that makes gluten-free cooking feel accessible rather than intimidating.
Making Gluten-Free Baking Easier
If you’re new to gluten-free baking, these 3 ingredient brownies with banana are the perfect starting point. There’s no worrying about flour blends, xanthan gum, or whether your ingredients will behave properly—you literally just need three items from your pantry.
The science behind gluten-free baking can feel overwhelming at first, but recipes like this prove you don’t always need specialty ingredients to create something delicious. Once you’ve mastered this simple technique, you’ll feel more confident tackling other naturally gluten-free treats.
I love pairing these with other easy gluten-free options like my gluten-free spinach tortillas for a balanced meal plan. Having go-to recipes that just work—without stress or complicated instructions—makes this whole gluten-free journey so much more enjoyable.
Final Thoughts
These 3 ingredient brownies with banana have become my secret weapon for last-minute desserts, school bake sales, and those moments when only chocolate will do. They’re proof that healthy sweets recipes easy enough for busy weeknights can still deliver that deep, satisfying chocolate experience we all crave.
Whether you’re dealing with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or just trying to add more wholesome options to your family’s routine, this recipe has your back. No special equipment, no hard-to-find ingredients—just three simple things and about 30 minutes standing between you and fudgy chocolate heaven.
Give them a try this weekend and watch them disappear. Then make a double batch next time—you’re going to want extras!
