3 Ingredient Brownies
Calling all chocoholics, dessert lovers, and baking beginners! Craving decadent brownies but short on time or ingredients? Prepare to have your mind and taste buds blown. This magical recipe for 3 ingredient brownies takes minimal effort and pantry staples to deliver gooey brownies!
Yes, you read that right. Just three simple ingredients stand between you and pure chocolate bliss. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity, though. These brownies are amazing. They have:
Deep, intense chocolate flavor: Nut butter and cocoa powder create a complex, satisfying sweetness.
Perfect fudgy texture: Dense, moist, and incredibly chewy – every bite is a melt-in-your-mouth dream.
Unbeatable convenience: Whip up a batch in minutes, perfect for last-minute cravings or budget-friendly treats.
Endless customization: Experiment with nut butters, cocoa powders, and add-ins for endless flavor variations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- With minimal prep and just three ingredients, these 3 ingredient brownies are so easy.
- Satisfy sudden chocolate cravings or impress guests with a dessert ready in no time.
- This recipe uses pantry staples you likely already have.
- The texture is dense, moist, and perfectly chewy for ultimate satisfaction.
- Mix and match nut butters, cocoa powders, and add-ins to create your own unique flavor combinations.
- Kids love these healthier brownies!
- Great for birthdays, special occasions, or a midnight snack. These Ube Brownies are super fun too!
- This recipe is paleo friendly, grain free, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, egg free, and contains no added sugar.
- Check out these Banana Brownies for another flourless treat!
Ingredients & Substitutes
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for these 3 ingredient brownies. Scroll down to the recipe card for full ingredients list and instructions.
Use brown spotted ripe bananas. Do not use green bananas. If you have some extra, try these Banana Bread Brownies too!
Use all natural creamy peanut butter made from only peanuts and salt. Do not use a brand with added sugars or oils. For a Paleo option, use almond butter or cashew butter. For nut free, use sunflower butter.
Cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate flavor. Both regular and dark cocoa powder work well.
Add in chocolate chips for an even more decadent treat! These are optional, but highly recommended.
Taste & Texture
These 3 ingredient brownies are all about the rich, complex chocolate experience.
The combination of nut butter and cocoa powder creates a deep, satisfying sweetness that’s impossible to resist.
The texture is the true star – dense, incredibly moist, and incredibly chewy without being cakey.
Each bite is a delight, balancing chewiness with melt-in-your-mouth chocolatey richness.
How to Make
Step 1
First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Add in the peanut butter and cocoa powder. Stir together.
Step 3
Fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 4
Transfer the batter to the lined pan. Smooth into an even layer.
Step 5
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs. Allow the 3 ingredient brownies to fully cool.
Expert Tips for Success
Follow these tips and tricks to make the best 3 ingredient brownies.
Ripeness Matters: Use overripe bananas for the sweetest, most flavorful brownies. They will also be easier to mash into a smooth batter.
Don’t Overbake: These brownies cook fast, so keep an eye on them! A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
Patience is Key: Let the brownies cool completely before cutting. This allows them to set properly and achieve that perfect fudgy texture.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
Explore these flavor variations for your 3 ingredient brownies.
Nut Butter Swap: Experiment with peanut butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even tahini for unique flavor profiles.
Cocoa Powder Play: Use Dutch-processed cocoa for a richer, smoother taste. For an extra kick, try dark cocoa powder.
Sweetness Twists: If your bananas aren’t too ripe or you prefer a sweeter treat, add a few tablespoons of honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar.
Mix-In Magic: Fold in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even a swirl of melted chocolate for added excitement.
How to Serve & Store
Serve these 3 ingredient brownies once fully cooled. They pair well with a drizzle of nut butter on top!
These brownies are rich and decadent. Serve with milk, whipped cream, or chocolate ice cream.
Store these healthy flourless brownies covered at room temperature for up to 48 hours.
Due to the banana, they will not last much longer at room temperature.
Store in the fridge or freezer after 2 days. They last in the fridge for up to a week.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This recipe relies on cocoa powder for flavor and structure, so it won’t work without it.
Overbaking is the reason why. Follow the baking time closely and use the toothpick test for doneness.
These 3 ingredient brownies are vegan as written!
Consider adding in chocolate chunks, nuts, or dried fruit for added flavor.
Equipment Needed
Pre-Cut Parchment Paper Sheets: These parchment paper sheets are great for baking these 3 ingredient brownies.
Pyrex 3 Glass Mixing Bowls: I always use these mixing bowls.
Check out all of my kitchen favorites!
You May Also Enjoy
If you make this easy 3 ingredient brownie recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Join my exclusive Facebook Group for a behind the scenes look. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes.
Get the Recipe: 3 Ingredient Brownies
Ingredients
- 3 large ripe bananas
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- First, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Add in the peanut butter and cocoa powder. Stir together.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer the batter to the lined pan. Smooth into an even layer.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
Notes
- Use ripe bananas that have brown spots.
- Use peanut butter made from only peanuts and salt.
- Almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower butter work well too.
- Bake until the brownies look set around the edges. They will still look slightly gooey in the middle.
- Wait until they are fully cooled before slicing.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Check out all of my kitchen favorites!
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