Banana Bread Brownies are the kind of recipe I love having in my back pocket when I have a few very ripe bananas sitting on the counter and don’t necessarily want to make an entire loaf of banana bread. Sometimes you want that familiar banana flavor without waiting for a full loaf to bake, cool, and slice. That’s where these bars come in.
If you have a few ripe bananas to use and want a traditional loaf instead, my Banana Chocolate Chip Bread is another easy way to turn them into something delicious.
I have definitely had those moments when I look at the bananas on the counter and think, “I need to use these before they go too far.” Banana bread is always an option, but sometimes I want something a little different. These banana bread brownies are quick to mix together, easy to bake, and give you that delicious banana flavor in a soft, brownie-style bar.
What I really like about this recipe is how practical it is. You can easily prepare these as a snack for the kids or cut them into smaller squares to include in their lunch boxes. They’re also a nice option when you need something homemade to have on hand during a busy week.
For another easy bar recipe that’s perfect for breakfast or snacking, my Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars combine juicy blueberries with a buttery oatmeal crumb.
And if you simply don’t want to prepare a banana bread or cake, this is a recipe you can turn to when that banana craving hits. You don’t need to make a complicated dessert or pull out a lot of equipment. Mix the ingredients, bake the bars, and finish them with a simple brown butter frosting.
The ripe bananas do most of the work when it comes to flavor and moisture. I also like adding chocolate chips when I have them on hand because banana and chocolate are such a good combination. They’re completely optional, though, so you can make these bars with or without them.
The brown butter frosting adds another layer of flavor. Browning the butter gives it a warm, nutty taste that pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the banana. Spread it over the cooled bars and you have a simple homemade treat that feels a little more special than your everyday snack.
If you’re someone who loves finding ways to use ripe bananas before they go to waste, this is definitely a recipe worth keeping nearby.
If you’re building a collection of easy homemade recipes for breakfast and snacks, my Homemade Biscuits are another simple recipe that’s always worth having on hand.
Why You’ll Love These Banana Bread Brownies
- Quick and easy: These bars come together without complicated baking techniques.
- A great way to use ripe bananas: Those overripe bananas sitting on the counter have a delicious purpose.
- Perfect for kids: Cut them into smaller squares for an easy after-school snack.
- Lunchbox friendly: These bars are easy to portion and pack for school lunches.
- Great for banana cravings: You can enjoy banana flavor without making a full loaf of banana bread.
- Soft and moist: Very ripe bananas add moisture and flavor to the bars.
- Optional chocolate chips: Add them for extra chocolate flavor or leave them out.
- Brown butter frosting: The nutty flavor of brown butter makes the simple frosting extra special.
Notes on Ingredients
The ingredients for these Banana Bread Brownies are simple, and you may already have most of them in your kitchen. Each ingredient plays a role in creating soft banana bars with a sweet, buttery frosting.
- Very Ripe Bananas
Very ripe bananas provide the main banana flavor and natural moisture. Bananas with plenty of brown spots are ideal because they are sweeter and have a stronger banana flavor. - Granulated Sugar
Granulated sugar adds sweetness to the bars and helps create a tender texture. - Egg
The egg provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together as the bars bake. - Vanilla Extract
Vanilla adds warmth and enhances the banana flavor. - All-Purpose Flour
All-purpose flour provides the structure needed for the bars to hold together while remaining soft. - Baking Powder
Baking powder helps the bars rise slightly and keeps them from becoming too dense. - Salt
Salt balances the sweetness and brings out the flavors of the banana and frosting. - Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips are optional but add little pockets of chocolate throughout the bars. Semi-sweet chocolate chips work especially well. - Unsalted Butter
Butter is used to create the brown butter frosting. Browning the butter gives the frosting a warm, nutty flavor. - Confectioners’ Sugar
Confectioners’ sugar creates the smooth, sweet base of the frosting. - Milk
Milk helps loosen the frosting and creates a smooth, spreadable consistency.
How to Make Banana Bread Brownies
Prepare the Bananas
Start with very ripe bananas. The more ripe and speckled the bananas are, the more banana flavor they will bring to the bars.
Mash the bananas until mostly smooth. A few small pieces are perfectly fine and can add little pockets of banana throughout the bars.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract.
Stir until everything is well combined and the mixture looks smooth.
The ripe bananas provide natural moisture and flavor, while the egg helps give the bars structure as they bake.
Add the Dry Ingredients
Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to the banana mixture.
Gently stir until the flour is just incorporated. Try not to overmix the batter because too much mixing can result in a denser texture.
The batter should be thick and smooth.
Add the Chocolate Chips
If you’re using chocolate chips, gently fold them into the batter.
I like chocolate chips in these bars because they give you little pockets of melted chocolate throughout the banana-flavored brownies. But if you’re making these for a lunchbox or simply prefer a more traditional banana flavor, you can easily leave them out.
Bake the Banana Bread Brownies
Spread the batter evenly into a prepared baking pan.
Bake at 350°F for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
Try not to overbake the bars. You want them soft and moist rather than dry.
Allow the bars to cool completely before adding the frosting.
Prepare the Brown Butter Frosting
While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting.
Place the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and allow it to melt. Continue cooking the butter, stirring or swirling the pan occasionally, until the milk solids begin to turn golden brown and the butter develops a warm, nutty aroma.
Remove the butter from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, milk, and salt. Stir until smooth and creamy.
If the frosting is too thick, add a small amount of milk at a time until it reaches a spreadable consistency. If it becomes too thin, add a little more confectioners’ sugar.
Once the banana bars have cooled completely, spread the brown butter frosting evenly over the top.
Allow the frosting to set slightly before cutting the bars into squares.
Substitutions, Variations and Tips
Use Very Ripe Bananas
This is one recipe where you want those bananas to be very ripe. The brown spots mean the bananas have developed more sweetness and flavor.
Add Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips are optional, but they’re an easy way to turn these banana bars into an even more indulgent snack.
Leave Out the Frosting
If you want a simpler snack, you can leave the brown butter frosting off completely. The banana bars are delicious on their own.
Add Nuts
Chopped pecans or walnuts would add a nice crunch and pair well with both banana and brown butter.
Don’t Overmix
Once you add the flour, mix only until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can make the finished bars tougher.
Don’t Overbake
Keep an eye on the bars during the last few minutes of baking. You want the center set but still soft and moist.
Let Them Cool Before Frosting
Make sure the bars are completely cool before adding the frosting. If they’re still warm, the frosting can become too soft and difficult to spread.
Make Them Lunchbox Friendly
For kids’ lunches, cut the bars into smaller squares and allow the frosting to set before packing them. You can also leave the frosting off if you prefer a less messy lunchbox treat.
Banana Bread Brownies with Brown Butter Frosting
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the pan.
- Mash the very ripe bananas until mostly smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, granulated sugar, egg, and vanilla extract
- Add the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir gently until the ingredients are just combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
- Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely.
- To make the brown butter frosting, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Continue cooking until the butter develops a golden-brown color and nutty aroma, watching carefully so it does not burn.
- Remove the butter from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
- Add the confectioners' sugar, vanilla, milk, and salt.
- Stir until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add a small amount of additional milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.
- Spread the brown butter frosting over the completely cooled banana bars.
- Allow the frosting to set slightly before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Use very ripe bananas with plenty of brown spots for the best banana flavor and sweetness.
- Measure the mashed bananas after mashing to ensure you have approximately 1 cup.
- Chocolate chips are optional and can be left out.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the flour.
- Avoid overbaking the bars to keep them soft and moist.
- Allow the banana bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Watch the butter closely while browning because it can quickly go from golden brown to burned.
- Allow the brown butter to cool slightly before making the frosting.
- Adjust the frosting consistency with a small amount of additional milk or confectioners’ sugar as needed.
- Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- For lunchboxes, allow the frosting to set before packing the bars.
How to Store Banana Bread Brownies
Allow the bars to cool completely before storing them.
Because of the frosting, store the finished Banana Bread Brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers if you’re stacking the bars to prevent the frosting from sticking.
You can also freeze the unfrosted banana bars. Wrap them tightly and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them completely before adding the frosting.
If you’re preparing these for kids’ lunches, portion the bars ahead of time so they’re ready to grab and pack in the morning.
Final Thoughts
These Banana Bread Brownies are one of those recipes that make good use of ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. When those bananas become too ripe for eating, you don’t have to automatically make another loaf of banana bread. Sometimes a quick pan of soft banana bars is exactly what you need.
I especially love recipes like this for busy weeks because they can serve several purposes. They can be an afternoon snack, something sweet for the kids’ lunch boxes, or a simple homemade treat when you’re craving banana flavor.
And if you have a little extra time, the brown butter frosting takes these simple bars to another level. That warm, nutty flavor from the browned butter pairs so well with the sweet banana.
If you make these Banana Bread Brownies, I’d love for you to leave a comment and rating below. Let me know whether you added chocolate chips, left them plain, or made any changes of your own.
Be sure to save this recipe for the next time you have ripe bananas sitting on your counter. Share it with someone who loves easy homemade treats, and explore more recipes here at The Baking Enthusiast.
Happy baking!
You May Also Like
- Banana Chocolate Chip Bread
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
- Pumpkin Cookies with White Chocolate Drizzle
Hi, I’m Priscilla, a baking enthusiast and recipe creator sharing easy baking recipes, simple desserts, and beginner-friendly treats. At The Baking Enthusiast, I focus on creating reliable, step-by-step recipes using everyday ingredients to help you bake with confidence and enjoy the process.