Brownie Banana Bread
This 4 Ingredient Brownie Banana Bread is the perfect recipe when you want to bake something sweet with just a few simple ingredients. Made with ripe bananas, eggs, oil, and a boxed brownie mix, it combines the best parts of fudgy brownies and classic banana bread in one incredibly easy loaf.
I debated the name of this recipe multiple times.
Is it Chocolate Banana Bread?
Or maybe it’s a Banana Bread Brownie Recipe?
Chocolate banana brownies or irresistible Banana Bread Brownies would fit if this were baked in a square pan. But it’s not.
Instead, you get a glorious pan—or more accurately, loaf—of rich chocolate banana bread that’s somewhere between a traditional brownie and banana cake. It has the deep chocolate flavor and moist texture you’d expect from fudgy brownies, but it’s baked and sliced just like banana bread.
Best of all, you don’t need to measure cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, vanilla extract, or any other dry ingredients separately. The brownie mix does most of the work for you, which is exactly why this will become your go-to recipe when you have overripe bananas sitting on the counter.
Why You’ll Love This Brownie Banana Bread
The obvious selling point is right there in the name: four ingredients. There’s no need to pull out a food processor, large saucepan, sauce pan, or even a separate bowl for the wet ingredients and dry ingredients.
Everything comes together in one large bowl before being transferred to a loaf pan.
It’s also a fun idea when you can’t decide between banana bread and brownies. You get plenty of chocolate flavor without having to make a traditional brownie batter or divide half of the brownie batter from the remaining batter for multiple layers.
And while banana bread is always good for breakfast, this chocolate version feels a little more like dessert. I especially like it as an afternoon or midday snack with a cup of coffee.
What Makes This 4 Ingredient Banana Bread So Easy?
The secret is starting with a boxed brownie mix. It already contains ingredients you would typically measure individually when making chocolate banana brownies from scratch, such as flour, sugar, and cocoa powder or cacao powder.
That shortcut eliminates quite a few measuring cups and bowls—and quite a bit of cleanup.
Ripe bananas add moisture, sweetness, and banana flavor. Eggs provide structure, while oil, melted butter, or melted coconut oil supplies the fat needed for a rich, tender loaf.
There is no sour cream, almond milk, almond butter, peanut butter, or powdered sugar required. You don’t even need a chocolate glaze or brown butter frosting. This is intentionally a very simple recipe, and I think that’s a big part of its appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Gluten-free brownie mixes are top-notch, for the most part. I personally prefer King Arthur Flour’s Gluten-Free Brownie Mix and ALDI’s Gluten-Free Brownie Mix.
Since the brownie mix replaces the all-purpose flour and other dry ingredients you’d normally use in banana bread, choosing a gluten-free brownie mix is an especially easy way to make this recipe gluten-free.
Why do you only coat the bottom of the pan with cooking spray?
Some recipes need the ability to “crawl” up the sides of the pan as they bake. This is one of those recipes. Greasing the sides of the pan would make it more difficult for this bread to rise.
The parchment paper makes it easier to lift the cooled bread from the pan. Once cooled, simply loosen any areas that need a little help with a butter knife before removing and slicing.
Do I need to add cocoa powder?
No. The brownie mix provides the chocolate flavor, so there’s no need for additional cocoa powder.
That’s one of the reasons this recipe is so convenient. Instead of measuring cocoa powder, flour, brown sugar, sea salt, and other individual ingredients, you’re starting with a mix that already contains what you need.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Absolutely. While they aren’t necessary, chocolate chips or mini chips would be a delicious addition if you want even more chocolate flavor. You could stir a small handful into the batter or sprinkle them over the top before baking.
If you’re a walnut fan, chopped walnuts would also make a tasty addition.
Is this more like banana bread or brownies?
It’s really a little of both. The loaf shape and bananas make it reminiscent of banana bread, while the brownie mix gives it a rich chocolate flavor and moist texture.
If you’re looking for dense chocolate banana brownies that you can cut into warm bars, this isn’t quite that recipe. This is still a loaf of banana bread—just a very chocolatey one.
Regan · The Baking Dietitian This recipe was personally developed and tested by me. I never use AI to write or alter the recipe itself. Some photos on this site use AI to adjust the background. The food/recipe is real and not generated by AI.
How should I serve Brownie Banana Bread?
It’s delicious at room temperature, but I especially love it served slightly warm. For dessert, try warming a slice and topping it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
A few chocolate chips scattered over the ice cream wouldn’t hurt, either.
For something simpler, enjoy a slice on its own as a midday snack. The combination of chocolate and banana makes it satisfying without needing frosting or glaze.
How should I store leftover Brownie Banana Bread?
Once completely cool, store the bread in an airtight container or wrap it well in plastic wrap. Keeping it covered helps preserve its moist texture.
You can also slice the loaf before storing it so it’s easy to grab a piece when you want one. Gently warming leftover slices makes the chocolate flavor especially good.
Dietitian Insight
A Quick Note About Bananas
Bananas do more than add flavor to baked goods. They provide nutrients including potassium and fiber, both of which can be part of an eating pattern that supports heart health.
That doesn't turn Brownie Banana Bread into an everyday health food—the brownie mix still contributes added sugar—but it does make bananas a particularly useful ingredient for adding natural sweetness and moisture to baked goods.
Hi, I’m Regan — a registered dietitian, professional recipe developer, and the creator of This Baking Life.
I bake with less sugar and smarter carbs in mind (though you’ll find plenty of full-sugar favorites here too!), so you can enjoy a real dessert without overthinking every bite.
If you make this recipe, tag me @ReganJonesRDN so I can see what you’re baking!
Shop My Kitchen Curious what I bake with? From my go-to mixer to the pans I reach for most, I’ve rounded up the tools and equipment I actually use on my Amazon storefront. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Brownie Banana Bread
- Yield: 1 loaf (8 servings)
Description
This 4 ingredient Brownie Banana Bread is the perfect recipe when you want to bake something sweet with simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 2 large overripe bananas
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup oil, melted butter or melted coconut oil
- 1 (16-oz.) pkg. brownie mix
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a 9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, and coat bottom of the pan with cooking spray.
- Place bananas in a large bowl, and mash well with a fork. Add eggs and oil to mashed bananas; beat with an electric mixer until combined. Add brownie mix, and beat just until smooth. Spoon banana bread batter into prepared pan with a rubber spatula.
- Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour, 15 minutes. Let cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Store in an airtight container or wrap in plastic wrap.
Notes
*This bread would be delicious served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a sprinkle of chocolate chips.
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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