These healthy banana brownies are the perfect guilt-free treat when you're craving something rich and fudgy! Made with wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, oat flour, and dark chocolate, they’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and oil-free. Plus, they can be customized to fit a vegan or refined-sugar-free diet. Whether you enjoy them as a dessert or a healthy snack, these brownies are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you're on the hunt for a healthier version of your favorite dessert, these banana brownies are the answer! They're moist, fudgy, and full of flavor without any of the guilt. The ripe bananas provide natural sweetness, while the oat flour offers a wholesome, gluten-free base. The addition of Greek yogurt makes these brownies extra moist, and the dark chocolate chips add a rich, indulgent touch. They're easy to make, and with just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a batch in no time!
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 3 ripe bananas (around 300g)
- 200g Greek yogurt (or any thick yogurt)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 80g coconut sugar
- 60g oat flour (blended oats)
- 90g cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 80g dark chocolate chips
- 40g walnuts, chopped
Directions
-
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C fan. Line a 20cm x 20cm baking tin with parchment paper.
-
Mash the Bananas: In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
-
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add yogurt, vanilla extract, and coconut sugar to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients: Add oat flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until a thick batter forms.
-
Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
-
Prepare for Baking: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking tin, spreading it out evenly. Optional: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips and walnuts on top for garnish.
-
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top looks set but the brownies are still soft and fudgy. For firmer brownies, bake a little longer.
-
Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the tin before slicing them into 9 squares. Enjoy your healthy treat!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 9 brownies
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Storage/Reheating
To store these healthy banana brownies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, store them in the fridge for up to a week. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply reheat in the microwave for a few seconds or at room temperature.
FAQs
1. Can I use a different sweetener instead of coconut sugar?
Yes, you can substitute coconut sugar with maple syrup, honey, or any sweetener of your choice. Just keep in mind that liquid sweeteners may slightly alter the texture of the brownies.
2. Can I make these banana brownies vegan?
Absolutely! To make these brownies vegan, swap the Greek yogurt for a plant-based yogurt (such as almond or coconut yogurt), and choose dairy-free dark chocolate chips.
3. Can I use regular flour instead of oat flour?
Yes, you can substitute oat flour with all-purpose flour. However, if you want to keep these brownies gluten-free, make sure to use a certified gluten-free oat flour.
4. What if I don’t have walnuts?
You can either omit the walnuts or replace them with other nuts like almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts. You could also use seeds, such as chia or sunflower seeds, for an added crunch.
5. How do I make these brownies more fudgy?
To achieve a more fudgy texture, bake the brownies for less time, around 25 minutes, or until the top looks set but still soft to the touch.
6. Can I freeze these banana brownies?
Yes! Once the brownies have cooled completely, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature or heat them in the microwave.
7. Can I add other mix-ins like dried fruit or nuts?
Definitely! You can customize these brownies by adding in dried fruit like raisins or cranberries, or nuts like pecans or almonds. Get creative with your add-ins!
8. Can I use almond flour instead of oat flour?
Yes, you can use almond flour instead of oat flour. However, almond flour tends to be more dense, so you might need to adjust the amount of liquid ingredients slightly.
9. Are these brownies suitable for people with nut allergies?
These brownies can be made nut-free by omitting the walnuts and using a nut-free yogurt. Just make sure your chocolate chips don’t contain any traces of nuts.
10. How do I know when the brownies are done baking?
The brownies are done when the top looks set, but they still feel soft to the touch. You can also insert a toothpick – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
Conclusion
These healthy banana brownies are a delicious and guilt-free treat that everyone can enjoy. They are easy to make, versatile, and packed with wholesome ingredients. Whether you're following a gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan diet, this recipe can be adapted to suit your needs. Plus, with their fudgy texture and rich chocolate flavor, they are sure to satisfy your sweet cravings without any of the guilt!
Healthy Banana Brownies (with Oat Flour)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 9 brownies
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Healthy Banana Brownies with Oat Flour are a guilt-free, gluten-free, and dairy-free treat. Made with ripe bananas, oat flour, and dark chocolate, these fudgy brownies are perfect for anyone looking for a healthier dessert. Easily customizable to suit vegan, refined-sugar-free, and nut-free diets, they offer a moist texture with a rich chocolate flavor. Enjoy them as a snack or dessert without any of the guilt!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas (around 300g)
- 200g Greek yogurt (or any thick yogurt)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 80g coconut sugar
- 60g oat flour (blended oats)
- 90g cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 80g dark chocolate chips
- 40g walnuts, chopped
Instructions
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or 160°C fan. Line a 20cm x 20cm baking tin with parchment paper.
- Mash the Bananas: In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add yogurt, vanilla extract, and coconut sugar to the mashed bananas. Stir until well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add oat flour, cocoa powder, and salt to the wet mixture. Mix until a thick batter forms.
- Fold in Mix-Ins: Gently fold in the dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the brownie batter into the prepared baking tin, spreading it out evenly. Optional: Sprinkle extra chocolate chips and walnuts on top for garnish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top looks set but the brownies are still soft and fudgy. For firmer brownies, bake a little longer.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the brownies to cool completely in the tin before slicing them into 9 squares. Enjoy your healthy treat!
Notes
- For a firmer texture, bake a little longer.
- You can customize the mix-ins, such as adding dried fruit or other nuts, to suit your taste.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
