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
I make these all the time. Cook in small muffin tin for 12 minutes and then pop in the freezer once cooled. They are extremely good just slightly unfrozen. We call them Banana Bombs.
Hey Joann,
thank you so much for your feedback! I am incredibly glad that you like my recipe 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
could i use pb2 or applesauce instead of peanut butter?
Hey Emma,
yes, PB2 mixed with little water until it reaches a smooth, creamy texture (similar to regular peanut butter) should work fine. The brownies however, may not be exactly the same in terms of texture.
Hope I could help 😉
Matteo
This turned out delicious! I used the recipe for a festive holiday treat in my upcoming video, so I will tag you and add the link to your website to the video description and blog post!
Hey Indoora,
thanks so much for your kind feedback. I’m incredibly happy to hear that you liked my flourless banana brownie recipe. Looking forward to the video 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
Hey Matt, I made these for my oil free vegan days. Probably the best oil free vegan dessert I have tried. I used tahini instead of peanut butter, and added a tablespoon of maple syrup and some pepitas. Bananas were frozen. Absolutely sensational, even after 2 days. I baked in the airfryer in muffin cases for 20 mins. Thanks for a simple but great recipe that I always have the ingredients
for 🙂
Hey dear Anna,
thank you very much for your kind feedback. I am so glad to hear that you liked my 3 ingredient brownie recipe with bananas 😉
Love the adaptations you made by the way, they sound delicious. Especially tahini, it goes so well with cocoa and sweet bananas.
Have a great weekend,
Matteo
Just made this and it’s easy and all but I am finding it kind of bitter. I think I should have added some maple syrup. Now I think I’ll make peanut butter frosting to counteract the bitterness. But it won’t turn out to be all that “healthy” that way!
Hey Patricia,
thanks for your comment. They may indeed taste quite bitter on their own, but with the addition of extra maple syrup or honey you should get the desired level of sweetness for sure. The frosting is perfect as well 😉
Best regards,
Matteo
Can these be refrigerated instead of cooking?
Hey dear Jan,
thanks for your question. You could theoretically refrigerate the batter without baking. But you will get a sort of edible banana brownie batter, as the brownies won’t harden/ set in the fridge.
I hope my answer could help.
Have a great day,
Matteo
Hi can this be made in an 8 inch pan? Thanks!
Hey dear Betty,
thanks for you enquiry. Definitely, you can use a 8×8 pan but the brownies will turn out slightly thinner. But still very delicious 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo
Can these be made in microwave or air fryer?
Hey dear Olga,
thanks for your comment. I do not recommend microwaving them, but you can air fry them for about 15 – 20 minutes at 340°F (170°C).
Have a great day,
Matteo
Yum! Really good and hits the spot for something sweet/chocolate.
Hey dear Liz,
thanks a lot for your kind comment! I am so glad that you liked my flourless banana brownies 😉
Have a great day,
Matteo