This Healthy Banana Brownie recipe is a delicious dessert that can be made in less than 30 minutes! The dense and gooey treat is gluten-free and paleo-friendly and can be made keto as well. This will be a new family favorite!

Not much can compare to a slice of homemade banana bread that is fresh out of the oven. However, adding in some chocolate chip morsels and thick, velvety almond butter will elevate this baking staple to a whole new level.

This healthy banana brownie recipe is a mash-up of my Sweet Potato Brownie Recipe and my Flourless Paleo Banana Bread, along with some other of my favorites.

The result are these amazing and healthy banana brownies that are so perfect and completely addicting!

Why I love these healthy banana brownies!

three chocolate banana brownies stacked on top of each other. Chocolate is oozing out and extra chocolate chips are sprinkled everywhere.

There are so many reasons to love these chocolate banana bread brownies! Just hear me out.

This recipe includes wholesome and simplistic ingredients that almost any household pantry or fridge might have already.

All ingredients are clean and accessible. I can almost bet that you have them all in your kitchen, and if not they are most likely on your shopping list because you ran out a few days ago.

These healthy banana brownies are Paleo, gluten-free, and grain-free.

My banana bread brownies are naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and a touch of coconut sugar, and if you wish, you can omit the added sugar completely.

When my husband and toddler need a quick, healthy and satisfying mid-morning snack during our busy weekend schedule, these healthy banana brownies satisfy in an instant. A little chocolate boost right before the mid-day blues is always a good idea, especially since these are packed with healthy fats and sweetened with coconut sugar.

What are the benefits of bananas and nut butter?

Freshly baked healthy banana brownies topped with dairy free chocolate chips and peanut butter

These brownies are a HIT for those who are looking for a paleo and gluten free alternative to a traditional brownie. You aren’t gluten free or paleo? No worries! This recipe will benefit you and your current lifestyle as well. Using a nut butter like almond butter can potentially help improve your heart health and brain activity, both of which are very important. 

According to this article, “Many other nutrients in almond butter also help improve your heart health and lower your risk for heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids help prevent irregular heart rhythms.” Read more about the benefits of almond butter here.

Tools you need to make these healthy banana brownies.

three chocolate banana brownies stacked on top of each other. Chocolate is oozing out and extra chocolate chips are sprinkled everywhere.

7 INGREDIENTS and 5 tools! You read that right, no need to go back and double check! These brownies come together in a snap and only require a few ingredients.

Tools

  • A mixing bowl
  • A hand mixer (optional)
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups
  • A fork (to mash the bananas – or use the hand mixer = even fewer tools)

And about 30 minutes!

Dry Ingredients

  • cacao powder or cocoa powder (sweetened or unsweetened)
  • chocolate chips or 1 bar roughly chopped dark chocolate
  • coconut sugar

Wet Ingredients

  • eggs (room temp)
  • almond butter
  • ripe bananas (like, almost all the way brown, more spots the better!)

.

Ingredients needed for these banana bread brownies

A pan full of freshly baked banana bread brownies topped with chocolate banana brownies. It's topped with chocolate chips and sea salt

The ingredients needed for this delicious gooey and fudgy banana brownie recipe are all wholesome, clean, and really good for you! You will need:

Ripe Bananas
Patiently wait until your bananas are spotty and almost brown. Why? Because they will be sweeter and perfect for this refined sugar-free chocolate banana brownie recipe!

Bananas are a good source of potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. You can read more about the health benefits of bananas here.

Eggs
Eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods out there! They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and proteins!

Did you know that 1 large egg contains 6 grams of protein? Read more about how incredible eggs are here.

Cacao Powder
You can use unsweetened cocoa powder as well if that’s what you have on hand.

However, cacao powder is the healthier choice. The main difference between the two is how and how much they have been processed. You can read more about cacao vs. cocoa powder here.

Almond Butter
Nut butter is packed with protein and good fats, and I eat some kind of nut butter in some kind of form every day. I just love it!

For this recipe, I have used smooth almond butter, but you will most likely be successful with any smooth nut butter as well. Simply use your favorite.

Chocolate Chips
Chocolate is a superfood since it’s made with cacao, or at least it should be. Get high-quality chocolate to make sure you get the good kind.

And also, chocolate is healthy for the soul!

Coconut Sugar (Optional)
If you are using really ripe brown bananas I don’t think you need to add any sugar at all. But sometimes, when I really crave something sweeter or the bananas aren’t sweet enough, I will add 2 -3 tbsp of coconut sugar (which is totally paleo-friendly) to this healthy banana brownie recipe.

.

These banana brownies are grain-free, flourless, and paleo!

fudgy flourless banana brownies drizzled with almond butter and topped with vegan chocolate chips

It still kind of surprises me that there is no flour in this healthy chocolate banana brownie recipe. But it really doesn’t need it! 

That means that these Paleo-compliant banana bread brownies are completely grain-free, gluten-free, and flourless. 

Not using any flour only makes this rich and decadent dessert even denser and gooier, which is exactly what we want in a brownie! 

Steps how to make these banana brownies

Roughly break up ripe bananas in a mixing bowl.
Mash the bananas either with a fork or a hand mixer.

Add almond butter and eggs to the mashed bananas.
Mix the batter with a hand mixer until smooth.
Combine and sift cacao powder to make sure there is no lump which ensures a smooth mixture.
Add in cacao powder, coconut sugar (if using any), salt, and baking soda into the batter.

Fold in chocolate chips into the brownie batter.
Pour the batter into a greased and lined 8×8 baking dish, and sand sprinkle the remainder of the chocolate chips on top.

Finally, bake for about 20 minutes, let cool, and enjoy!

Tips on making the best healthy banana brownie

It’s hard to fail with this easy and quick recipe, but I have a few tips up my sleeve to make these fudge chocolate banana brownies even better.

Under-bake the brownie
I always used to over-bake most of my recipes just to make sure everything was cooked. Now that I have discovered the magic of the word “gooey“, I switched to team under-bake and I will never go back.

nine squared of healthy banana brownies shot from above. The gluten free chocolate dessert is swirled with nut butter

There is really no downside in cutting a few minutes in baking desserts, other than the excessive gooeyness, like in this brownie recipe. 

Wack the pan halfway through the bake
This trick is a game changer! Halfway through baking, take the brownie pan out of the oven and slam it hard on the kitchen counter.

This helps with even out the brownie batter and it will also give it a crack on top. It just makes the final result so much more perfect and makes it look professionally made. 

Then we put it back in the oven to finish baking.

Toppings
For this recipe, I also sprinkled some sea salt on top of my banana bread brownies, which just compliments the chocolate brownie so well. Of course, it’s optional, but honestly, never skip the flaky sea salt

You can also sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top or some chopped-up nuts like walnuts on top as well. It will definitely make this healthy banana brownie fancier.

Lastly, you could swirl in some extra almond butter on top. It will make a beautiful pattern and look so cool.

How to serve this chocolate banana brownie

rich and gooey brownies on a serving plate. The chocolate on top is glistening

There are so many ways you could serve this rich and gluten-free dessert. Some of my favorite ways are:

  • Warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
  • With more nut butter on top
  • Together with a big glass of cold milk
  • With some powdered sugar and whipped coconut cream
  • Serve with fresh strawberries and blueberries

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR MAKING THESE BROWNIES RIGHT FOR YOU

dens and rich chocolate cake squares stacked on top of each other. They are baked with almond butter and cacao

I have successfully used peanut butter (note that peanut butter is not paleo) instead of almond butter.

And I mean. Peanut butter banana brownies…that is an award-winning combination! And- if you love peanut butter, and bananas, then these Peanut Butter Banana Cookies will be right up your alley!

If you are following a low-carb diet, you can use a Keto-friendly sugar instead of coconut sugar. Click here and here for keto friendly sugar options.

I have also made this recipe without adding any sugar. And it really works!

And honestly, I personally think the bananas are sweet enough. 

How to store my chocolate banana brownies

Paleo chocolate banana bread brownies with a lot of chocolate chips and almond butter

You can store these healthy banana brownies in the fridge for up to 5 days – if it can last that long that is… 

You can freeze them too! I prefer to wrap each brownie square individually for an easy access single serving.

Now it’s time to scroll down to the recipe and start baking these delicious healthy banana brownies! And when you are done, leave me a comment below!

OOO ALSO I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS

Pinterest picture for a soft and fudgy banana brownie
nine squared of healthy banana brownies shot from above. The gluten free chocolate dessert is swirled with nut butter

Get the recipe:Healthy Banana Brownies

Gooey, fudgy and can be made in under 30 minutes, these Healthy Banana Brownies delicious! They are gluten-free, paleo, and kid friendly!
4.61 stars (122 reviews)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup mashed ripe bananas **
  • 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder
  • 2 – 3 tbsp coconut sugar **
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup chocolate chip, divided
  • A pinch of sea salt

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350F
  • In a large mixing bowl, mash ripe bananas with a fork or hand mixer
  • Add almond butter and eggs to the mashed bananas
  • Mix the wet ingredients well until smooth and well combined
  • Add cacao powder, coconut sugar, baking soda, and a pinch of salt to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
  • Gently fold 2/3 cup chocolate chips into the batter
  • Add the brownie batter to a parchment paper-lined 8×8 baking pan, then add the rest of the chocolate chips on top. Swirl a few spoonfuls of almond butter (optional).
  • Bake for 12 minutes
  • Take the brownie out of the oven and "slam" it on your kitchen counter gently and sprinkle sea salt on top (optional)
  • Bake for 9-10 more minutes (or until the preferred doneness).
  • Cut the brownie into squares once it cools down.

Notes

*This measurement is using ripe banans after they are mashed.
** Use Keto-friendly sugar for a lower carb option.
Serving: 1square, Calories: 256kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 41mg, Sodium: 69mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 16g

The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.