Brownies & Bars

Banana Bread Brownies

4.75 from 111 votes
If you think you have to choose between making banana bread and brownies, think again with my easy Banana Bread Brownies recipe!
Banana Bread Brownies sliced into servings.

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Hi Bold Bakers!

Chocolate and banana is a truly underrated flavor combination. The bitterness of the chocolate helps balance the sweetness of the banana, and in this banana bread brownie recipe, those bananas should be extra ripe and extra sweet! 

This homemade banana bread brownie recipe is rich and wonderfully moist — no dry brownies here. I would say this recipe yields a dessert that is more like a brownie than banana bread, texture-wise. 

While I love a good banana bread, sometimes you do have to mix things up a bit! This is a perfect recipe to use up those bananas you have laying around, or stuffed in your freezer. 

A close up of banana bread brownies.

What Are Banana Bread Brownies?

Banana bread brownies are an incredible combination of two flavors I love. It’s part banana bread, part brownie. You essentially are making two bowls of different flavors, then combining them in one pan to bake. The texture is chewy and moist, like brownies. 

What You Need To Make Banana Bread Brownies

How Do I Make Banana Bread Brownies

These unique brownies are very easy to make and the final product looks (and tastes) beautiful. Here is how you make banana bread brownies (get all the measurements down below):

  1. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter and line an 8×8-inch (20x20cm) baking pan.
  2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together. 
  4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and then divide the batter evenly into 2 separate bowls.
  5. In one bowl, stir in the cocoa powder and chopped chocolate. In the other bowl, stir in the mashed bananas.
  6. Pour the banana batter into your prepared pan. Then, dollop heaping scoops of the chocolate batter randomly over the banana batter.
  7. Take a butter knife and swirl the chocolate batter through the banana batter. Don’t mix it completely, we’re creating a marbled look.
  8. Bake for 40-45 minutes until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Allow the brownies to cool completely before cutting.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips For Making Banana Bread Brownies

  • As always, the riper the banana the better! That goes for any sort of banana bread you are baking.
  • Instead of bittersweet chopped chocolate, you can use milk or white chocolate if you prefer.
  • For more texture and flavor, add a ½ cup (2½oz/71g) of chopped toasted walnuts or pecans to the banana bread portion of the batter.
  • When you are swirling the batters together, use a light touch so you don’t overmix the batter and lose the marbled effect.
  • Make banana bread brownie sundaes with my homemade vanilla ice cream and salted caramel sauce or hot fudge.
  • You can double this recipe and bake it in a 9×13-inch (23x33cm) pan for a larger crowd. The baking time will be a bit longer – just keep an eye on it and text with a skewer until done.

 

A stack of banana bread brownies.

How Do I Store Banana Bread Brownies?

You can store leftover brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze these brownies for up to 2 months. Defrost them at room temperature or in the microwave for a minute before serving. 

Get more Banana Bread recipes:

And don’t forget to buy my Bigger Bolder Baking Cookbook!

Full (and printable) recipe below!

Watch The Recipe Video!

Banana Bread Brownies Recipe

4.75 from 111 votes
If you think you have to choose between making banana bread and brownies, think again with my easy Banana Bread Brownies recipe!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 12 brownies
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
If you think you have to choose between making banana bread and brownies, think again with my easy Banana Bread Brownies recipe!
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 12 brownies

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup (3¾oz/105g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (4oz/115g) butter, melted
  • 1 ½ cups (12oz/340g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (2oz/57g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (3oz/85g) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 2 large (10oz/284g) very ripe bananas, mashed

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and butter and line with parchment an 8x8-inch (20x20cm) baking pan. Set aside.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.
  • Combine the wet and dry ingredients and then divide the batter evenly into 2 separate bowls.
  • In one bowl, sift in the cocoa powder and stir in the chopped chocolate.
  • In the other bowl, stir in the mashed banana.
  • Dollop the brownie batter into the prepared pan, then pour over the banana batter.
  • Take a butter knife and swirl the chocolate batter through the banana batter without mixing it completely, to create a marbled look.
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes, until a wooden skewer inserted in the middle, comes out clean. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature or in the microwave for a minute.
4.75 from 111 votes (65 ratings without comment)
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Maga
Maga
3 years ago

These were AWESOME. I made them dairy free by substituting canola for the butter, and using Ghirardelli dark chocolate pieces. I doubled the recipe, baked it in a 9×13 stone pan at 325° for 45 mins.

Last edited 3 years ago by Maga
GrammyE
3 years ago

So I’m thinking to myself, self, it is time to start thinking about what you are going to bake for everybody as Christmas gifts. Husband says, there you go thinking again.   Since we grow our own bananas, I’m going to make banana bread, again, again, and again.   “No Can” ( Hawaiian version of “No Way”)    So I am saying Mahalo in advance. This is an unbelievably good recipe! I made a double batch because if I’m going to turn the oven on using the most expensive electricity in the United States, I’m going to make a double batch. … Read more »

Maga
Maga
3 years ago

Gemma, do you have a recipe for Pumpkin Bread Brownies? I think they would he Fantastic!

May Soas
May Soas
3 years ago

Gemma! This is amazing!! Can I substitute almond flour for regular flour? Do I have to add something else with almond flour to get the consistency?
you never disappoint my friend ❤️❤️❤️

Annette
Annette
2 years ago

This was way too sweet for me. If i reduce the sugar in this recipe, what would i have to tweak in order to have the same texture?

Jasmin
Jasmin
1 year ago

Hi Gemma! I dont have dark chocolates, but i have milk chocolates instead. Would i need to adjust my sugar to make sure its not too sweet? If I should, how much?

Suz
Suz
2 years ago

Hi gemma! I’m from Malaysia & I love following up with your recipes! Will adding brown sugar in with white sugar make a lot of difference to the brownie batter?

Nargess
Nargess
2 years ago

Hi Gemma.. oh i am Thailand and have a banana tree! So i have bananas coming out of my ears.LOL! I am so excited to try this recipe and will be going to make this tomorrow, can you please tell me can i use Dutch coco? i don have natural .. Thank you ..

Selena M.L Oh
Selena M.L Oh
3 years ago

Love the recipe – simply divine! I reduced the sugar to one cup and am glad i did it as the bananas were very sweet. I shall reduce further in my next bake and add chopped nuts

Madelyn
Madelyn
3 years ago

Gemma this is an amazing idea , really looks yummy. Can i replace the all purpose flour with oat flour?

This Recipe Made By Bold Bakers

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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