Healthy Chocolate Banana Brownies – No Sugar, No Flour

These wholesome brownies prove that dessert can be both nutritious and indulgent. Made with naturally sweet bananas, fiber-rich oats, and studded with crunchy nuts, this guilt-free treat delivers all the chocolatey satisfaction without refined sugar or flour. The secret lies in using whole food ingredients that provide sustained energy while satisfying your sweet tooth naturally.

Ingredients

For the Brownies:

• 2 ripe bananas (approximately 200g/7 oz)
• 2 tablespoons raisins (20g/0.7 oz)
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (15g/0.5 oz)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g/0.17 oz)
• 1 cup oat flakes (90g/3.2 oz)
• 5 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream (75g/2.6 oz)
• 1 apple, grated (120g/4.2 oz)
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds (10g/0.35 oz)
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (20g/0.7 oz)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (3g/0.1 oz)
• Pinch of salt
• Olive oil for greasing

For the Topping:

• 80g (2.8 oz) sugar-free dark chocolate
• 3 tablespoons hot milk (45ml/1.5 fl oz)
• Additional chopped walnuts for decoration

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Raisins

Place raisins in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 10 minutes to plump them up, then drain.

Step 2: Toast the Oats

In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the oat flakes until golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently. This develops a nutty flavor that enhances the brownies. Let cool slightly.

Step 3: Mash the Bananas

In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly until smooth with minimal lumps.

Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients

Add eggs to the mashed bananas and whisk well. Stir in the yogurt or sour cream until fully combined.

Step 5: Add Dry Ingredients

Sift in the cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well incorporated.

Step 6: Fold in Additional Ingredients

Gently fold in the toasted oats, grated apple, drained raisins, pumpkin seeds, and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Step 7: Prepare the Pan

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a square baking dish (approximately 8×8 inches) with a little olive oil.

Step 8: Bake

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 9: Cool

Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before adding the topping.

Step 10: Prepare Chocolate Topping

Break the sugar-free dark chocolate into pieces and place in a bowl. Pour hot milk over the chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 11: Decorate

Pour the chocolate mixture over the warm brownies, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with additional chopped walnuts. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Time and Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 9 squares
Calories: Approximately 165 per brownie

Why This Recipe Works

These brownies achieve their moist, fudgy texture through the natural moisture from bananas and apples, eliminating the need for butter or oil. The bananas provide natural sweetness and binding properties typically achieved with sugar and eggs in traditional recipes. Toasting the oats develops complex flavors while maintaining their nutritional benefits including beta-glucan fiber that helps stabilize blood sugar. The combination of nuts and seeds adds healthy fats and protein, making these brownies more satisfying and nutritionally balanced than conventional versions. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a healthier dessert option that won’t spike your blood sugar levels.

Healthy Banana Brownies

These wholesome brownies are made with naturally sweet bananas and fiber-rich oats for a guilt-free dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth without refined sugar or flour.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 9 squares

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: Healthy

Calories: 165

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Brownies

• 2 pieces ripe bananas approximately 200g/7 oz
• 2 tablespoons raisins approximately 20g/0.7 oz
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder approximately 15g/0.5 oz
• 2 pieces large eggs
• 1 teaspoon baking powder approximately 5g/0.17 oz
• 1 cup oat flakes approximately 90g/3.2 oz
• 5 tablespoons plain yogurt or sour cream approximately 75g/2.6 oz
• 1 piece apple, grated approximately 120g/4.2 oz
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds approximately 10g/0.35 oz
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts approximately 20g/0.7 oz
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon approximately 3g/0.1 oz
• Pinch of salt
• Olive oil for greasing

For the Topping

• 80 g sugar-free dark chocolate approximately 2.8 oz
• 3 tablespoons hot milk approximately 45ml/1.5 fl oz
• Additional chopped walnuts for decoration

Method

 

Preparation

1. Place raisins in a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let soak for 10 minutes to plump them up, then drain.
2. In a dry pan over medium heat, toast the oat flakes until golden brown and fragrant, stirring frequently. Let cool slightly.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly until smooth with minimal lumps.
4. Add eggs to the mashed bananas and whisk well. Stir in the yogurt or sour cream until fully combined.
5. Sift in the cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well incorporated.
6. Gently fold in the toasted oats, grated apple, drained raisins, pumpkin seeds, and chopped walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a square baking dish (approximately 8×8 inches) with a little olive oil.

Baking

1. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, spreading evenly. Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
2. Remove from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes before adding the topping.

Topping

1. Break the sugar-free dark chocolate into pieces and place in a bowl. Pour hot milk over the chocolate and let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy.
2. Pour the chocolate mixture over the warm brownies, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with additional chopped walnuts. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes

These brownies achieve their moist, fudgy texture through the natural moisture from bananas and apples. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a healthier dessert option that won’t spike your blood sugar levels.