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Brownies and banana bread are both classic baked goods that are loved by many. This recipe for banana bread brownies combines the fudgy, chocolatey goodness of brownies with the moisture and flavor of banana bread. The result is a delicious treat that is sure to please a crowd.

If you are a fan of interesting and delicious brownies and bars, you should also check out my pumpkin swirl brownies, frosted banana barsbrown butter blondies, and the shockingly tasty beet brownies.

stack of homemade banana brownies.
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Why Make These Banana Brownies?

This recipe is a fun idea that gives you the best of both worlds – fudgy brownies and moist banana bread in one pan. Baking with overripe bananas is also a great way to use up fresh produce and reduce food waste.

This banana bread brownie recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients you likely have on hand. It’s a delicious treat to bring to potlucks, bake sales or to enjoy with ice cream after dinner. 

Kids and adults alike will love these sweet, chocolatey banana bread bars!

banana swirl brownies.

Ingredients Needed

This recipe only requires simple ingredients that most people have on hand. Exact recipe quantities are located in the recipe card below, but here is a summary.

You’ll need purpose flour, baking powder, salt, unsalted butter, granulated sugar, pure vanilla extract, eggs, cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips, and ripe bananas. 

ingredients needed to make banana bread brownies.

Recipe Tip

The secret ingredient is brown butter, which gives the brownies an incredibly rich, nutty flavor.

How to Make Banana Bread Brownies

Complete baking directions can be found in the recipe card below, but here is a step-by-step summary.

Step 1: Brown the Butter

Start by heating the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter turns a delicate brown color and smells nutty. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the Brownie Batter

Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the cooled browned butter. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time with a spoon. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredientsflourbaking powder and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients and stir the batter until it’s evenly moistened.

Divide the batter in half into two separate bowls. 

Step 3: Mix the Brownie Portion

Add the cocoa powder and chocolate chips to one of the bowls and stir until combined. This mixture will be very thick.

Step 4: Make the Banana Bread Batter

In another medium bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork. Combine the mashed banana with the other half of the reserved batter. Mix just until incorporated.

Step 5: Assemble the Brownies

Grease a 8×8 inch square pan or line with parchment paper. Spread half of the brownie batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Pour the banana mixture over the brownie layer.

For the remaining chocolate batter, put it in a plastic bag, snip off the corner, and squeeze it onto the banana batter in lines. Use a butter knife or a spatula to swirl the two batters together to create a marbled appearance.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely in the pan set at room temperature on a wire rack.

​Cut into squares and enjoy!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the banana bread brownie recipe.

How ripe should the bananas be?

Very ripe! The bananas should be covered in brown speckles. Overripe, spotty bananas work best.

What type of baking pan should I use?

Use an 8×8 inch square baking pan. A 9×9 inch pan will also work. Grease the pan or line it with parchment paper. Glass or metal both work, however a metal pan may cook the brownies faster.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, use your favorite 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.

Can I use all whole wheat flour?

For best texture, I don’t recommend using 100% whole wheat flour. You can sub half of the all-purpose flour for whole wheat.

What kind of frosting goes well with these?

No frosting is needed, but if you like them extra rich, brown butter frosting is delicious! You could also use cream cheese frosting or fudgy chocolate frosting.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, just use a 9×13 inch pan if doubling. The baking time should not vary much but trust the clean toothpick method.

How long do they keep fresh?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

banana bread brownie recipe.

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Banana Bread Brownies

Prep20 minutes
Cook45 minutes
Total1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Banana Bread Brownies are the perfect combination of a moist banana bread swirled with a dense chocolate brownie. They are a must make dessert!

Equipment

Ingredients 

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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line with parchment or grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
  • Combine dry ingredients: Stir the flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.
  • Brown butter: In a medium sauce pot over medium heat, melt butter. Continue to cook while it foams and whisk constantly until it browns and you see some brown specks at the bottom and it starts to smell a bit toasted. Remove from heat.
  • Mix base ingredients: Once the butter cools a bit, add the sugar and vanilla extract. Next, beat in the eggs one at a time with a spoon. Gradually add the dry ingredients and stir the batter until it's evenly moistened. Divide the batter in half into two separate bowls.
  • Mix the brownie portion: Add the cocoa powder and chocolate chips to one of the bowls and stir until combined. This mixture will be very thick.
  • Mix the banana bread portion: In the second bowl of batter, stir in the mashed banana.
  • Prepare banana bread brownies: Spread 1/2 of the chocolate batter into the bottom of the prepared baking pan, and follow with all of the banana batter. For the remaining chocolate batter, you can either spoon it on top or you can put it in a plastic bag, snip off the corner, and squeeze it onto the banana batter in lines. Use a butter knife or a spatula to swirl the two batters together to create a marbled appearance.
  • Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake until the brownies begin to pull away from the sides of the pan, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool them in the pan, cut into squares, and serve.

Notes

Banana tips:
  • Any time you bake with bananas, you’ll want to choose ones that are very ripe. My preference is to use bananas that have an equal amount of yellow and brown.
  • Before you peel the banana, give it gentle but firm squeezes up and down until the entire fruit it mush. Then, when you peel it the entire banana will still stay whole but will already be perfectly mashed for your banana brownie batter.
Baking tips:
  • The chocolate portion of the batter is very thick. You may even need to use your hands to spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan.
  • If your chocolate brownie portion is too thick to squeeze on through a plastic bag, just use a spoon to throw globs on top of the banana batter. Then use a butter knife to swirl it all together. I’ve made this banana brownie recipe many times and it always seems to turn out perfectly.
Storage:
  • I highly recommend storing leftover banana bread brownies in the freezer in an air tight freezer bag. It prevents me from eating the entire pan in one sitting and because they stay so incredibly moist, you can eat them straight out of the freezer because they’re soft!

Nutrition

Calories: 204kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 140mg, Potassium: 121mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 245IU, Vitamin C: 1.2mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me a comment below

This recipe was originally published in November 2017 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don’t worry – the recipe hasn’t changed!

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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