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The Ultimate Guilt-Free Chocolate Fix
Craving rich, fudgy brownies but don’t want to derail your healthy eating goals? These 3 ingredient brownies are about to become your new obsession. Made with just bananas, peanut butter, and cocoa powder, these healthy vegan brownies prove you don’t need a lengthy ingredient list or hours in the kitchen to create something truly spectacular.
No flour. No eggs. No refined sugar. Just pure, chocolatey goodness that happens to be good for you too.
Whether you’re looking for a brownie without flour or searching for egg free brownies that actually taste amazing, this recipe delivers on every level. Let us show you how to make brownies without flour that are so delicious, nobody will believe they’re made with only three pantry staples.
Why This is a Perfect Balanced Treat
These 3 ingredient brownies embody everything we stand for at Balanced Treats:
- Healthy: Made with whole food ingredients—bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, peanut butter adds protein and healthy fats, and unsweetened cocoa delivers antioxidants without added sugar. Each brownie contains only 140 calories with 5g of protein.
- Quick: From pantry to plate in just 25 minutes. With only 5 minutes of hands-on prep and one bowl to clean, these are perfect for those moments when you need a sweet treat fast.
- Affordable: Three basic ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. No specialty flours, expensive sweeteners, or hard-to-find items required. The entire batch costs under $5 to make.
- Delicious: That signature fudgy brownie texture you crave with deep chocolate flavor. The combination creates a dense, satisfying bite that rivals any traditional brownie recipe.
The Secret Behind These Flourless Brownies
The magic in these 3 ingredient brownies comes from understanding how each component works:
Overripe Bananas: The riper, the better! Those brown-spotted bananas sitting on your counter are perfect here. They provide natural sweetness, moisture, and act as a binding agent—replacing both eggs and oil in traditional recipes. According to the USDA FoodData Central, bananas are an excellent source of potassium and dietary fiber, making them a nutritious whole food sweetener.
Peanut Butter: Beyond adding richness and protein, peanut butter creates that dense, fudgy texture we associate with the best brownies. It also helps bind everything together while contributing healthy fats that keep you satisfied longer.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Pure cocoa delivers intense chocolate flavor without any added sugar. It’s also surprisingly rich in antioxidants and minerals like iron and magnesium.
How to Make These 3 Ingredient Brownies
Making these healthy vegan brownies couldn’t be simpler. Here’s the beautifully straightforward process:
Getting Started: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. This size creates perfectly thick, bakery-style brownies. A quick tip: leave some overhang on the sides—it makes lifting them out later effortless.
Creating the Batter: Grab your ripest bananas (the ones with lots of brown spots) and mash them thoroughly in a large bowl until smooth. You want about 1½ cups of mashed banana. Now add ½ cup of smooth peanut butter and ⅓ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. Mix everything together until you have a thick, uniform batter. It should look rich and chocolatey—almost like brownie batter you’d make the traditional way.
Baking to Perfection: Pour your batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Slide it into your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges start pulling away from the pan slightly and the top looks set. The center might still seem a touch soft—that’s exactly what you want for that signature fudgy texture.
The Crucial Cooling Step: This is important! Let your brownies cool completely in the pan before even thinking about slicing. This allows them to set properly and achieve that perfect texture. Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out, then cut into 8 generous squares.
If you want to take these up a notch, consider adding 3 tablespoons of maple syrup to the batter for extra sweetness, or sprinkle ¼ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips on top before baking. Both additions are completely optional but delicious!
3-Ingredient Fudgy Brownies
Description
Incredibly fudgy, naturally sweetened brownies made with just bananas, peanut butter, and cocoa powder. These healthy vegan brownies are gluten-free, egg-free, and ready in 25 minutes!
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
Optional Add-Ins
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
- In a large bowl, mash the bananas until completely smooth with no lumps remaining.
- Add the peanut butter and cocoa powder (and maple syrup, if using) to the mashed bananas. Mix everything together until you have a thick, uniform brownie batter with no streaks of cocoa powder.
- Pour the batter into your prepared pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the top with chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the top is set and the edges are slightly pulling away from the pan. The center may still look slightly soft—this is perfect for a fudgy texture.
- Remove from oven and let the brownies cool completely in the pan (at least 1-2 hours). This step is crucial for them to set properly.
- Once completely cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the brownies out of the pan. Slice into 8 squares using a sharp knife.
Notes
- Pan Size: A loaf pan creates thick, bakery-style brownies. For thinner brownies, use an 8×8-inch square pan and reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes.
- Storage: Store cooled brownies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Substitutions: Use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter (for nut-free) in place of peanut butter. Any smooth nut or seed butter works!
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1 brownie (without optional add-ins)
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 140kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 8g13%
- Saturated Fat 2g10%
- Sodium 65mg3%
- Total Carbohydrate 15g5%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 6g
- Protein 5g10%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Your New Go-To Healthy Brownie Recipe
These 3 ingredient brownies prove that healthy desserts don’t have to be complicated or compromise on taste. With just three simple ingredients and 25 minutes, you can whip up a batch of fudgy, chocolatey brownies that satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your body.
They’re perfect for meal prep, afternoon snacks, post-workout treats, or whenever you need a quick chocolate fix. Make a batch this weekend and keep them in your fridge for those moments when only chocolate will do.
More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re obsessed with these brownies (and who wouldn’t be?), you’ll want to try our Chocolate Protein Baked Oats (Dessert for Breakfast!). It’s another simple, healthy chocolate recipe that delivers that same rich, indulgent flavor while sneaking in extra protein and fiber. Perfect for those mornings when you want dessert energy without the guilt—plus it’s ready in under 30 minutes, just like these brownies!
Ready to make them?
