A Rainy Afternoon and the Magic of Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Is there anything more soulful than the scent of overripe bananas and dark cocoa wafting through a house while a Cascade Range rainstorm drums against the windowpanes? Here in Bend, Oregon, those gray afternoons are my invitation to lean into the kitchen. My husband, Ethan, usually has his camera ready by the time the timer dings, and James and Olivia are already hovering near the counter with forks in hand. They were asking for something different today. Not quite a cake, not quite a loaf, but something deeply rich. That is how this Easy Banana Bread Brownies recipe became our new rainy day ritual. It is the perfect marriage of two classics, solving that age-old kitchen dilemma of wanting the fudgy decadence of a brownie but the comforting, fruit-forward soul of a homemade loaf.
When you find yourself with a few spotted bananas, your first instinct might be to bake a 5-ingredient easy banana bread. But if you are craving something that feels more like a dessert, these banana bread brownies are the answer. They offer a texture that is uniquely dense and satisfying. I remember my first successful batch was inspired by a version I saw on A Beautiful Mess, but I wanted to tweak the moisture levels to ensure that every square felt like a decadent treat rather than a dry snack. After all, food is about the connection we feel when we share something truly special.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- Ingredients for Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- How to Make Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- Pro Tips & Variations of Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- Easy Banana Bread Brownies Serving Suggestions
- Easy Banana Bread Brownies Storage & Reheating
- FAQ about Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- Final Thoughts
Why You’ll Love This Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- Rich and Fudgy Texture: Unlike a crumbly cake, these fudgy banana brownies have a dense, melt in your mouth consistency.
- Reduces Food Waste: It is the ultimate way to use those blackened bananas sitting on your counter.
- One Bowl Wonder: This easy banana bread brownies recipe requires very little cleanup, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Customizable Sweetness: You can easily adapt this into healthy banana brownies by adjusting the sugar or using dark chocolate.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether it is for a school bake sale or a cozy family dessert, these banana brownies disappear in minutes.
Ingredients for Easy Banana Bread Brownies
I always tell Ethan that the quality of fruit matters. I wait until the bananas are practically black, which is when their natural sugars are most concentrated. For this banana brownies recipe, I stick to pantry staples that I keep stocked in my Oregon pantry.
- Overripe Bananas: Three large ones, mashed until smooth.
- Melted Butter: I prefer organic salted butter for that hit of savory depth.
- Granulated Sugar: To provide that classic brownie crackle on top.
- Egg: Just one large room temperature egg to bind it all together.
- Vanilla Extract: Use the real stuff, its floral notes are essential.
- All Purpose Flour: This provides the structure for our banana bread bars.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Sifted to avoid any lumps in your chocolate banana brownies.
- Pinch of Salt: To balance the sweetness.
- Chocolate Chips: I like semi sweet or dark chocolate to add pockets of gooeyness.
How to Make Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Banana Bread Brownies
- Preheat and Prepare: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the edges to overhang. This makes it so much easier for James to help me lift them out later.
- Mash the Fruit: In a large mixing bowl, mash your bananas until they are liquid and smooth. They should look like thick gold syrup.
- Whisk in the Wet Ingredients: Stir in the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until the mixture is glossy and well combined.
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Use a spatula to combine until just mixed. Do not overwork the batter, we want these to stay tender and fudgy.
- Add the Chocolate: Fold in those chocolate chips. If you want something even more indulgent, you can try my banana bread brownies best moist recipe technique of adding a swirl of nut butter.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the center to be set but still slightly soft to the touch. The kitchen will start to smell like a high end bakery at this point.
- Cool Completely: This is the hardest part. Let them cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares.
Pro Tips & Variations of Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Cooking is a journey, and every home chef likes a different path. If you are looking for healthy flourless banana brownies, you can swap the all purpose flour for oat flour or almond meal. For my friends who prefer a plant based lifestyle, vegan banana brownies are easily achieved by using a flax egg and coconut oil in place of the butter and egg. If you are a fan of texture, consider adding half a cup of chopped walnuts. It reminds me of the DIY Starbucks walnut banana bread copycat we make during the holidays. Another favorite variation in our house is adding a dollop of Greek yogurt into the batter for an ultra plush feel, similar to how I make my ultra plush sour cream banana bread. For a truly decadent finish, you can look for the best banana bread brownies with frosting ideas like a brown butter glaze, which is often recommended by experts like Tastes Better From Scratch.
Easy Banana Bread Brownies Serving Suggestions
These brownies are stars on their own, but they love company. I often serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a fudgy banana bread bars sundae. If you are enjoying them for a mid morning pick me up, a cold glass of milk or a hot latte is the perfect companion. For a more formal gathering, garnish each square with a dusting of powdered sugar and a few fresh raspberries to cut through the chocolate richness.
Easy Banana Bread Brownies Storage & Reheating
If you happen to have leftovers, which is rare with Olivia around, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. For longer storage, keep them in the fridge for up to a week. They actually become even more fudgy when chilled. To reheat, just pop a square in the microwave for ten seconds to get those chocolate chips melty again. You can also freeze these dairy free banana bread brownies or standard ones for up to two months wrapped tightly in foil.
FAQ about Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Are these brownies gluten free?
The base recipe uses all purpose flour, but you can easily make gluten free banana brownies by using a 1:1 gluten free baking blend. The moisture from the bananas makes them very forgiving with alternative flours.
Can I make these into 3 ingredient banana brownies?
While this recipe is a full scratch version, many people create a 3 ingredient banana brownies shortcut using just mashed bananas, cocoa powder, and nut butter. However, for that true banana bread brownies experience, the flour and egg are necessary for structure.
How do I know when the brownies are done?
A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with a few moist crumbs attached. If it is completely clean, they might be overbaked. If it is wet batter, give them another five minutes.
Final Thoughts
As the sun begins to set over the pines and the house grows quiet, I find so much peace in these small moments. A plate of Easy Banana Bread Brownies on the table is more than just a snack, it is a reason for my family to gather, to put down the phones, and to just be present with one another. I hope these brownies bring a little bit of that Bend magic into your kitchen too. Please, pin this for later and share it with someone who needs a little sweetness today.
Easy Banana Bread Brownies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing the edges to overhang.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash your bananas until they are liquid and smooth. They should look like thick gold syrup.
- Stir in the melted butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Whisk until the mixture is glossy and well combined.
- Gently fold in the flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Use a spatula to combine until just mixed. Do not overwork the batter, we want these to stay tender and fudgy.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the center to be set but still slightly soft to the touch.
- Let them cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before slicing into squares.
