Healthy Banana Brownies

These Healthy Banana Brownies are life-changing. They are moist, fudgy, can be made gluten-free, have no oil or butter, and are made with cleaner ingredients than a classic brownie... but you'd never be able to tell!

Why You'll Love These

• moist, fudgy, gooey, and soft texture

• deep, dark, rich chocolate flavor

• cleanier ingredients than a classic brownie with a similar taste and texture

• can be made gluten free and refined sugar free

Ingredients

• Bananas: You need about 2 medium bananas, mashed, for this recipe. Make sure to use ripe bananas for the best flavor, texture, and and structure.
• Eggs: 2 large eggs at room temperature create chewy brownies.
• Pure Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup adds a healthier sweetness and extra moisture.
• Light Brown Sugar or Coconut Sugar: A touch of light brown sugar or coconut sugar adds extra moisture, flavor, and sweetness.
• Almond Butter: Almond butter, or any natural nut butter, provides structure and contributes to the fudgy texture. Make sure to use natural, runny nut butters rather than firm.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract rounds out the flavor.
• Oat/ Almond Flour: I usually use almond flour, but oat flour will work too. Make sure to measure properly using a kitchen scale or by spooning and leveling the flour into measuring cups.
• Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is where these brownies get their chocolate flavor. I use natural, but dutch-processed will work too!
• Salt: Salt brings out sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: You can use any chocolate chips you'd like, add more, reduce them, or completely omit them.

Step by Step Process

STEP 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray to ensure the brownies come out of the pan cleanly.

STEP 2: In a large bowl, whisk mashed bananas, room temperature eggs, maple syrup, light brown sugar, almond butter, and vanilla extract together until combined.

STEP 3: Add oat or almond flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the bowl. Whisk only until you see the dry ingredients disappear into the batter.

STEP 4: Fold chocolate chips and other desired mix-ins into the batter. Mix until evenly dispersed throughout the batter.

STEP 5: Transfer the batter to your prepared pan. Top the batter with additional chocolate chips and other mix-ins for a more sophisticated look. Bake the brownies for 28-33 minutes or until the top of the brownies look shiny, the center looks slightly soft, and the edges spring back when poked quickly with your pointer finger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert Tips

Measuring: Make sure to measure your flour properly by using a kitchen scale to measure 80g exactly or by using a spoon to transfer flour from its container to your measuring cups before using a knife to level off the top. This creates fudgy, moist brownies.

Mix-Ins: You can add tons of other mix-ins to these brownies besides chocolate chips. Fruit pieces, walnuts, pecans, candy pieces... all of these mix-ins would would be fabulous in these brownies!

Storage: These brownies keep fresh when stored tightly covered, in an airtight container, or individually wrapped after they have fully cooled. Store them at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Bring frozen brownies to room temperature or reheat in the microwave before serving.

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