Jump to Recipe

These healthy banana brownies are stupidly easy and made with nourishing ingredients – yet they’re still chocolatey, fudgy and sweet, everything a brownie should be! They’re gluten-free, egg-free, oil-free and can be made low-fat, vegan and refined sugar-free, they’re perfect for anyone!

A stack of healthy banana brownies with walnuts and chocolate.

Why you need these Healthy Banana Brownies in your life:

There are so many great things about these brownies, that it shouldn’t take too much convincing for you to make it, but I’ll tell you why you should anyway:

#1: Firstly, it’s a great way to use up any brown bananas you may have, you don’t have to make banana bread every time!

#2: This is a healthy brownie recipe! These brownies are made with nourishing ingredients and are filled with good carbs, protein and healthy fats and you can have them for breakfast! Made from ripe bananas, cocoa powder, and optional dark chocolate chips, these brownies are a delightful treat for any occasion.

#3: These flourless banana brownies are made with oat flour which is very affordable and much more nutritious than processed white flour.

#4: They don’t contain any refined sugar as the sweetness comes from ripe bananas and coconut sugar (and the chocolate flavor from the cocoa powder)!

#5: Lastly, they’re absolutely delicious, chocolatey, fudgy and gooey all in one!

Ingredients

These flourless banana brownies are made with natural, nourishing ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen! Get your baking pan and parchment paper ready together with these ingredients and we’re good to go!

Bananas – Obviously these are “banana brownies”, so you’ll definitely be needing a few ripe bananas. I recommend using very ripe bananas (they should be borderline brown!), the riper they are, the sweeter your brownies will be! Keep in mind that mashed banana plays a crucial role in creating the delicious and moist texture of the brownies. However, if you don’t like bananas you could try my Sweet Potato Brownies.

Greek Yoghurt – This makes the brownies ultra gooey without having to add any oil, eggs or butter! You can use Coconut Yoghurt if you want to make these brownies vegan. If you are not able to find the yoghurt needed for this recipe, you can increase the amount of mashed banana used instead to compensate for its absence, but keep in mind this may slightly alter taste and texture.

Vanilla Extract – This adds extra flavour but also enhances the other flavours in these brownies. If you don’t have any you can omit it. I always recommend using vanilla EXTRACT and not ESSENCE.

Coconut Sugar – To add a bit more sweetness to the brownies whilst still keeping them refined sugar-free I recommend using coconut sugar.

Oat Flour – As mentioned, these brownies are flourless. Oat Flour doesn’t count in my opinion, because it’s actually just blended oats. You could buy oat flour from most health food stores or make your own by simply blending oats into a fine powder.

Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is naturally anti-inflammatory and is actually very good for you!

Dark Chocolate Chips/Bar – This is optional (but not really). Dark Chocolate is also good for you as it’s made from cocoa. Aside from using cocoa powder to add more chocolatey flavor, try to use dark chocolate with a high cocoa volume as this means there is less sugar. Most dark chocolate is also vegan (check the packaging). You can use chocolate chips or chop up your favourite chocolate bar.

This is completely optional but you can also use different kinds of ingredients as toppings after removing the brownies from the oven. You can add more chocolate chips, different kinds of nut butter such as natural peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, and even almond butter on top to create a delicious contrast between the banana flavor.

A half-eaten healthy banana brownie with walnuts and chocolate on a plate.

Step-by-step instructions

These fudgy banana brownies are honestly so easy to make. All you need to do is combine all the ingredients in one bowl, pour them into a baking tin and bake! It doesn’t get any easier than that.

I’ve made a brownie recipe video, however, just to prove to you how easy it truly is.

Jump to Video

I’ll walk you through the process too:

Step 1: Add your bananas to a large mixing bowl and mash them up. The riper they are the easier they will be to mash up. Once mashed, add in the rest of your wet ingredients and whisk until combined.

Step 2: Add in your oat flour and cocoa powder and mix it up.

Step 3: Add in your chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.

Step 4: Pour the brownie batter into a baking pan/tin lined with parchment paper. I use two sheets going across each other and make sure they are hanging over the edges of the tin – this makes it really easy to remove the brownies from the tin. My baking tin is 20cm x 20cm, but if yours is bigger that’s okay too, it just means you won’t have to bake them for as long and you will just have thinner brownies.

Step 5: Add some more chocolate chips and chopped walnuts on top.

Step 6: Bake.

The hardest part of this recipe is waiting for the brownies to cool before slicing.

Feel free to top with additional toppings as your heart desires! For example, you can use different nut butters to enhance the flavor of your brownies. Drizzle some almond butter on top to create a delicious almond butter swirl on top of the chocolate banana brownies, use creamy peanut butter as a frosting, or even use cashew butter as a topping.

A stack of healthy banana brownies.

FAQ

How do I slice banana brownies?

I recommend leaving the brownies to cool completely before slicing with a clean, sharp knife. If you cut these brownies whilst they’re still warm, they probably won’t be very pretty. But if you don’t care about the aesthetics and can’t wait to tuck in (I don’t blame you – they smell incredible!) you could eat them right away (out of the baking tin with a fork?)

Can I make these brownies vegan?

You most certainly can – simply use a vegan yoghurt (like coconut yoghurt or soy yoghurt), replace the eggs with 1/2 a cup more yoghurt and use vegan chocolate!

Can I make low-fat banana brownies?

Yes! You can use Low-Fat Greek or Soy yoghurt instead of Coconut Yoghurt which will replace the fats with protein!

Can I use almond flour instead of oat flour?

Yes, you can use almond flour instead of oat flour, but keep in mind that almond flour has different properties than oat flour, which will affect the texture and moisture content of your brownies. Almond flour is higher in fat and lower in carbs compared to oat flour, and it doesn’t absorb liquids in the same way.
Here are a few tips for substituting almond flour for oat flour in this recipe:
Adjust the Quantity: You may need to adjust the amount of almond flour since it’s denser and has a higher fat content. Start with using a bit less almond flour (about 50-55g) than oat flour, as you can always add a little more if the batter seems too wet.
Expect a Different Texture: Almond flour will give the brownies a more moist and tender crumb, and they might be denser than if you were using oat flour.
Watch the Baking Time: Brownies made with almond flour might bake more quickly or slowly, depending on how the flour interacts with the other ingredients. Keep an eye on your brownies as they bake and do a toothpick test for doneness.

Can I make the brownies sweeter?

To make these healthy banana brownies sweeter, you can consider the following adjustments and additions:
Add Maple Syrup: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the brownie batter for additional sweetness and a rich flavor. Mapble syrup is rich in antioxidants, contains minerals like manganese and zinc, is lower on the glycemic index than white sugar, and is a natural alternative to artificial and refined sugars. Though it may be tempting, be sure to stick with just a couple of tablespoons of maple syrup.
Chocolate Chips: Increase the amount of dark chocolate chips or use semi-sweet chocolate chips for a sweeter taste. Adding more chocolate chips into the brownie batter and as a topping after baking will make the brownies sweeter and more decadent.
Almond Butter: Mix in 2 tablespoons of almond butter into the brownie batter for a subtly sweet, nutty flavor. You can also drizzle almond butter on top of the brownies before serving for added sweetness and texture.
Cocoa Powder to Chocolate Ratio: While unsweetened cocoa powder provides a deep chocolate flavor, it doesn’t add sweetness. Balance the cocoa with additional chocolate chips or consider using a sweeter chocolate bar, chopped, to mix into the batter.
Coconut Sugar: To enhance the overall sweetness without deviating from the health-conscious approach, consider slightly increasing the amount of coconut sugar by 10-20g.
Peanut Butter: For a twist, add 2 tablespoons of crunch or creamy peanut butter (or other nut butter)to the batter. Peanut butter will not only add a rich taste but also a subtle sweetness.
Sunflower Seed Butter: Like almond and peanut butter, sunflower seed butter can add a creamy texture and a hint of sweetness. Mix it into the batter or use as a topping for an extra flavor layer.

Top 3 Tips

Use Very Ripe Bananas: The riper, the better for sweetness and moisture.

Cool Before Cutting: Let the brownies cool completely for clean slices. I know this is so hard! If you cut these brownies whilst they’re still warm, they probably won’t be very pretty. But if you don’t care about the aesthetics, you can dig in right away.

Avoid overmixing the batter: Overmixing can introduce too much air into the batter, leading to brownies that are more cake-like in texture rather than dense and fudgy.

How to store healthy banana brownies

I recommend keeping these in the fridge – they last up to a week. Keep them in an air-tight container or in a freezer bag. These brownies are a bit sticky, so I recommend putting some parchment paper in the bottom of the container.

You can also freeze them for up to three months, and place them in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Once you’re ready to serve them, leave them to thaw for a couple of hours in the fridge.

Serving Suggestions

These gluten-free banana brownies are perfect served on their own straight from the fridge, but if you’re feeling like something EXTRA special you could try serving it warm with some ice cream! Pop the brownie in the microwave for around 30 seconds and top with a generous scoop of ice cream!

You can also put your favorite ingredients on top of the warm brownies before serving. You can either sprinkle chocolate chips, drizzle some melted nut butter such as natural peanut butter/almond butter/ cashew butter/sunflower seed butter, or even put chopped walnuts and sliced ripe bananas.

These brownies are great as a snack or even a healthy dessert and they’re a perfectly acceptable breakfast, too!

More Healthy Brownie Recipes to try:

BAKING IN GRAMS

All of the recipes I create are tried and tested a few times until it has been perfected. My goal is to develop recipes that are simple to make and easy to follow so that anyone can make them – even if you’ve never baked before!

One very important thing that will ensure that you get the best results is to measure your ingredients by weight! I recommend purchasing a kitchen scale, they are very affordable and it will honestly change your baking game for good! Not all measuring cups are made equally – for example, a cup of flour to me weighs 120g, but for you, it may be anywhere between 100g and 200g – that’s a BIG difference!

If you don’t have a kitchen scale yet, you can use this Ingredient Weight Chart as a guideline to convert the ingredients to help you!

Now – dust your apron off and get baking! X

Hey! If you make this recipe, I would love it if you could leave me some feedback and a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in the comment section at the bottom of the page! Also let me know on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and see your photos!

A stack of healthy banana brownies with walnuts and chocolate.

Healthy Banana Brownies (with oat flour)

These healthy banana brownies are stupidly easy and made with nourishing ingredients – yet they're still chocolatey, fudgy and sweet, everything a brownie should be! They're gluten-free, dairy-free, oil-free and can be made low-fat, vegan and refined sugar-free, they're perfect for anyone!
4.63 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine Gluten-Free
Servings 9 brownies
Calories 221 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C / 350°F / 160°C fan and prepare a baking tin with parchment paper.
  • Start by mashing your bananas with a fork or potato masher then add in your yoghurt, vanilla and sugar. Mix until combined.
  • Add in your oat flour, cocoa powder and salt and mix it all up. Fold in your chocolate and walnuts.
  • Pour the brownie batter into your baking tin and add some more chocolate and walnuts on top if you like.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until the top looks cooked. It should still be quite soft. Bake it for longer if you want the brownies less gooey.
  • Leave the brownies to cool completely in the tin before removing and slicing into 9 squares.

Video

Notes

  • If your baking tin is bigger than 20cm x 20cm: Bake for 20 minutes and then check for doneness.
  • If your baking tin is smaller than 20cm x 20cm: Bake for 30 minutes and then check for doneness.
  • See blog post content for ingredient substitutions.
These nutritional values are provided as a guide only and may be different depending on your ingredients and measurements.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Banana Brownies (with oat flour)
Serving Size
 
1 brownie
Amount per Serving
Calories
221
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
9.5
g
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
26.8
g
9
%
Protein
 
6.8
g
14
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword banana brownies, Banana-based desserts, Breakfast brownie ideas, Chocolatey gluten-free treats, Coconut sugar sweetness, Dairy-free chocolate brownies, Easy oat flour recipes, Flourless chocolate brownies, Fudgy banana brownies, gluten-free banana brownies, Guilt-free brownies, healthy banana brownies, healthy brownies, Homemade healthy brownies, Low-fat chocolate recipes, Nourishing dessert recipes, Nutrient-packed snacks, oat flour brownies, oil-free brownies, Refined sugar-free baking, vegan banana brownies, Vegan dessert options, Wholesome sweet treats
Did you make this?Leave a rating & leave some feedback in the comments section below! You can also tag me on Instagram @Nourishing.Niki and use the #NourishingNiki

I hope you enjoyed making this healthy banana brownies recipe!