5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Brownies {gluten-free, oil-free}

My healthy (but decadent) 5-ingredient vegan banana brownies are oil-free, egg-free, dairy-free, grain-free, gluten-free, flourless, and 100% perfection. Hooray!

The Brownies You Need to Make

You need brownies. I need brownies. We all need brownies right about now. Some laughter, puppy pictures, and sunshine would be excellent,  too. But first, brownies.

I have the brownies that you need. Right here. Right now.

Recipe Benefits

• Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
• Grain-free
• Gluten-free
• Oil-free
• Easy 
• Flourless
• Made in 1 bowl
• Decadent in taste and texture
• Healthy (good for you, and make you feel great)

Pinch yourself; you are not dreaming!

Ingredients for 5-Ingredient Vegan Banana Brownies

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Making these brownies requires no more than 5 ingredients, specifically: 

1. Mashed, very ripe banana
2. Smooth nut or seed butter (e.g., peanut, almond, sunflower seed)
3. Unsweetened cocoa powder
4. Baking soda
5. Coconut sugar (or brown sugar)–just a little bit

You’ll need 1 level cup of the mashed, very ripe banana. This will be roughly 2 and 1/2 medium-large bananas. For an accurate bake, be sure to mash and measure the bananas rather than go by approximate number and size of bananas. 

Burning Question: Do These Taste Like Bananas?

These brownie taste like brownies. Rich and fudgy chocolate brownies. I guarantee it.

It’s largely owing to the generous amount of cocoa powder (1/3 cup). The bananas add sweetness and texture to the fudgy result.

The brownie, not banana, taste is also due to a small addition of coconut sugar (2 tablespoons). You can use another granulated sweetener in it’s place, but do add the sweetener. It airlifts the brownies from healthy breakfast or snack bar territory to the land of chocolate dessert bliss.

Instructions for Making Vegan Banana Brownies

Mashing and measuring is this only labor intensive part of making these brownies. To be fair, it’s roughly 2 minutes of finger and fork labor. It’s so worth it.

Step One: Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Pan

Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper.

Step Two: Mix Everything in One Bowl

Plunk the mashed and measured bananas in a medium mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients (cocoa powder, nut or seed butter, baking soda, and coconut sugar).

Give everything a vigorous stir until completely blended.

Your assessment of the batter below is correct: SCRUMPTIOUS! You can take as many tastes as you like (no worries about raw flour, eggs, etc.), but be sure to leave enough to bake into brownies :).

Step Three: Spread Batter into Prepared Pan

Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. These can be baked without lining the pan, but lining the pan makes them so much easier to remove post-bake.

Optional: Add Some Chocolate Chips

To be clear: these brownies are super-chocolatey and all around amazing without any adornments. 

Nevertheless, if you are an accessorizing sort of person, you certainly can add the flotsam and jetsam of your choosing.

I choose miniature chocolate chips. Not every time, but sometimes. For example, today. This is about 2 and 1/2 tablespoons-worth, scattered over the top:

Step Four: Bake

Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the surface of the brownies appears dry and set. 

Step Five: Cool

Place the pan on a cooling rack and cool completely.

Once cooled, use the paper overhang to lift and remove the brownies to a cutting board.

Cut into 9 big squares and enjoy some serious chocolate bliss!

FAQ

How to Store the Brownies

Store the cooled brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Coconut Sugar Alternative

An equal amount of brown sugar or the granulated sweetener of your choice (e.g., Swerve, cane sugar) can be used in place of the coconut sugar.

Can I Use Frozen Bananas?

Yes, frozen bananas can be used to make these. Defrost (do not drain any liquid). Mash up the bananas and liquid to measure 1 cup.

Happy baking, and stay safe and sound, everyone. These brownies will help :).

More Amazing Vegan & Gluten-Free Brownies to Try

• Tiger Nut Flour Brownies {grain-free}
• Vegan Almond Flour Brownies {grain-free, gluten-free}
• Chickpea Flour Brownies {grain-free}
• 3-Ingredient Banana Fudge Brownies {grain-free, oil-free}
• Grain-Free Zucchini Brownies 
• Vegan Coconut Flour Brownies {grain-free, oil-free}
• Black Bean Brownies
• Clean & Lean 70 Calorie Brownies
• Breakfast Blender Brownies
• Sweet Potato Brownies {grain-free, oil-free}