These 3 ingredient brownies are super fudgy and chocolatey. Made with peanut butter and cocoa powder, these healthy banana brownies are also vegan, sugar-free and gluten-free!
Last week I was grocery shopping when I spotted bananas on sale. Needless to say, I bought many. Probably too many…so that I ended up with a bunch of overripe bananas.
Undecided between protein pancakes or protein banana bread, I eventually made made these 3 ingredient brownies with bananas. The perfect easy and healthy brownie recipe for chocolate lovers!
Why are these banana brownies so healthy?
This 3 ingredient brownie recipe is not only delicious, it is also very healthy. First, it is sugar-free, egg-free and dairy-free. Further, these vegan brownies are flourless and gluten-free. Flourless brownies because this recipe uses only bananas, peanut butter and cocoa powder.
What’s more, these 3 ingredient brownies are also rich in minerals and vitamins. Potassium and vitamin B6 from the bananas, magnesium and vitamin E from peanut butter, and polyphenols from the cocoa powder.
Ingredients for flourless brownies
This flourless brownie recipe calls for just 3 simple ingredients.
- Bananas: three medium ripe bananas. Look for bananas with dark spots on the skin or for brown bananas – the riper, the better.
- Peanut butter: creamy peanut butter, best if it is free from added sugars, oils and salt.
- Cocoa powder: for healthy brownies, use natural cocoa powder without added sugars.
Extra ingredients
The basic recipe for flourless brownies has just 3 ingredients. But this doesn’t mean you can’t add more. Chocolate chips, walnuts or a pinch of salt...Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking!
How to make flourless brownies with banana
Making these 3 ingredient brownies is embarrassingly easy. This recipe comes together in a bowl so quickly that you won’t even realize you’re making brownies.
Step 1. In a large bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas. When they are completely mashed, add peanut butter and stir the mixture until smooth. Sift in cocoa powder, give it a mix and transfer to a brownie pan folded with parchment paper.
Step 2. Bake flourless brownies in hot oven for 22 to 30 minutes (mine took exactly 27 minutes). Let cool completely at room temperature before slicing.
How to store banana brownies
After baking, let the flourless brownies cool at room temperature. Then seal in an airtight food container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also refrigerate for up to 5 days.
For a longer storage, freeze these 3 ingredient brownies in an airtight food container or in a freezer zipping bag for up to 3 months. Before serving, reheat in hot oven for a couple of minutes.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
How can I replace peanut butter?
You can replace peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini.
How can I make nut-free brownies?
To make nut free flourless brownies, replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini. But keep in mind that the taste will slightly change.
Can I add protein powder?
Yes, you can add a scoop of protein powder and adjust the brownie batter with one to two tablespoons of milk to consistency.
Can I make 3 ingredient brownies in the air fryer?
Yes, this 3 ingredient brownie recipe can also be prepared in the air fryer. Bake your brownies in hot air fryer at 150°C (340°F) for 15 to 22 minutes.
Can I make flourless brownies in the microwave?
Unfortunately this recipe does not work in the microwave. To make flourless banana brownies you will need either an oven or an air fryer.
Tips for making flourless brownies
Here are some tips and tricks for making the best flourless brownies with banana.
- Use overripe bananas – the riper they are, the better the result.
- Mash the bananas completely until you get a smooth mixture.
- Use creamy peanut butter – this will mix better with the other ingredients.
- Stir mashed banana with peanut butter very well before you sift in the cocoa powder.
- Do not overbake the brownies, they will set further while cooling.
More healthy recipes with bananas
- Banana bread overnight oats
- Protein banana bread
- Oatmeal protein bars
- Simple banana protein pancakes
3 Ingredient Brownies with Banana
Ingredients
- 3 ripe banana
- 120 grams (1/2 cup) creamy peanut butter
- 50 grams (1/2 cup) cocoa powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and fold a 15 cm x 15 cm (7 inch x 7 inch) brownie pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash 3 ripe bananas. When completely mashed, add peanut butter and stir the mixture until smooth.
- Sift in cocoa powder, give it a mix and transfer to the prepared brownie pan.
- Bake in hot oven for 22 to 30 minutes – mine took 27 minutes. Let cool completely at room temperature before slicing.
Nutrition
Per serving, estimated automatically, not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
Matteo
Simple to make, simply wonderful to eat!
Hey!
Thanks a lot for your review, I am so happy you liked my flourless banana brownies 😉
Best,
Matteo
Just made these – perfect for my anti-inflammatory diet. I love the addition of walnuts and sprinkle of salt. Do you find that the banana doesn’t always perfectly cook even if you bake for 30 mins? Mine came out a bit gooey. Delicious none the less. Thanks so much!
Hey Allie,
thanks a lot for your review! I’m so glad you liked my flourless banana brownies. The addition of walnuts and salt is definitely delicious, I agree 😉
Regarding your question, the precise baking time may depend. Different ovens tend to bake at different temperatures, and the bananas you used may have slightly a different weight than mine. My recommendation is to check for doneness before turning off the oven — the brownies should be indeed slightly gooey, but not raw.
Hope it helps,
Matteo
Thanks!! Made them again and baked them longer this time. Then I put them in the freezer (wrapped individually) and take one out every time I wanna enjoy a sweet treat! 🙂
Hey Allie,
thanks a lot for your positive review! I’m so glad you like my banana brownie recipe 😉
Best,
Matteo
We do not follow any type of lifestyle, we eat food that just tastes great AND THESE BROWNIES HAVE MADE IT INTO MY ROTATION! I am so impressed with how simple, healthy ingredients make such a decadent dessert/snack. I found your recipe about three weeks ago and I’m making them again for the third time. 🙂 I use all natural PB and liquid apple sweetener (we are not diabetic but the sweetener is made for diabetics..soooo good). I will be testing more recipes from your site. Thank you.
Hey Mo,
thanks a LOT for your review! It truly makes me happy hearing that you enjoyed my flourless banana bread recipe. And I’m even happier that you plan to try more of my recipes – please let me know how you end up liking them 😉
Best,
Matteo
Great Recipe! Can you use frozen bananas?
Hey,
happy you like my recipe. Although I haven’t tried yet, I am quite confident you can also make these brownies with frozen bananas. The only thing to keep in mind is that you will need to thaw them ahead completely and remove any excess water. Also, more cocoa or nut butter may be necessary due to the extra moisture.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Matteo
Simply genius!!! Very delicious….thank you for this superbly simple and great recipe
Hey Frania,
thanks a lot for your review. I’m so glad you liked my flourless banana brownies 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
Thanks for this wonderful and easy recipe, just made it today! Only I didn’t have peanut butter, so I put almond butter. Came out great.😊
Thanks again, love your recipes!
Hey Vlatka,
thanks a lot for your kind review. I’m so happy you liked my flourless banana brownies–perfect with almond butter 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
So excited to find this vegan brownies recipe. I can’t do egg and tried several vegan brownies but none have worked. My friend sent me this recipe and I made my much missed brownies as soon as I had ripe bananas. I loved them. Easy to make and very good.
You have a beautiful site. Thank you for the healthy recipes.
Hey Samantha,
thanks a lot for your kind feedback, I’m so glad you could finally find an easy vegan brownie recipe you liked 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
Do you recommend putting Chico plate chips on top after baking, if I wanted a bit of chocolate chips?
Hey Marie,
thanks for your comment. Absolutely, you can add some chocolate chips (also before baking) and the brownies will taste delicious.
Have a great Sunday,
Matteo