4 Ingredient Brownies
These 4 Ingredient Brownies are rich, fudgy, and incredibly easy to make! With simple pantry ingredients like ripe bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and flour, you can create a naturally sweet chocolate dessert that tastes indulgent but is surprisingly wholesome!
The bananas provide natural sweetness and moisture, while peanut butter adds richness and protein. Cocoa powder delivers deep chocolate flavor, and the flour helps create that classic brownie texture.
These brownies are soft, gooey in the center, and packed with chocolate flavor in every bite. They are perfect when you want a quick dessert with easy ingredients. Try my 5 Ingredient Brownies too!
Why You Will Love These 4 Ingredient Brownies
- Only four simple ingredients
- Naturally sweetened with bananas
- Gluten free option available
- Rich chocolate flavor
- One bowl recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas
- 1 ½ cups all natural creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup gluten free flour, see note
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, optional but recommended
Ingredient Role Table
| Ingredient | Purpose |
| Bananas | Provides natural sweetness, moisture, and acts as a binder. |
| Peanut Butter | Adds healthy fats, protein, and essential structure/density. |
| Cocoa Powder | Delivers a deep, rich chocolate flavor and color. |
| Flour | The primary agent that gives the brownies their crumb and structure. |
| Chocolate Chips | Creates molten “pockets” of extra chocolate throughout. |
How to Make
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and gluten free flour. Stir until a dough is formed.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer this mixture into the lined pan. Smooth into an even layer.
- Bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
- Finally, remove these 4 ingredient brownies from the oven. Allow them to cool before slicing.
Tips for Perfect Brownies
Use very ripe bananas for the best sweetness.
Choose natural peanut butter made only with peanuts and salt.
Do not over bake. The center should look slightly soft.
Let the 4 ingredient brownies cool before cutting so they set properly.
Ingredient Substitutions
| Original Ingredient | Recommended Replacement | Best For… |
| Peanut Butter | Almond butter or cashew butter | Maintaining that creamy texture and healthy fat content. |
| Gluten-Free Flour | All-purpose flour | Traditional baking (if gluten is not a dietary concern). |
| Bananas | Unsweetened applesauce | Adding moisture with a more neutral flavor profile. |
| Chocolate Chips | Chopped dark chocolate | Achieving more rustic, irregular “pools” of chocolate. |
Flavor Variations
Chocolate Walnut Brownies
Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
Extra Chocolate Brownies
Use dark chocolate chunks instead of chips.
Protein Brownies
Add 2 tablespoons chocolate protein powder.
Sea Salt Brownies
Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking.
How to Store Brownies
Room temperature
Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Refrigerator
Store for up to 5 days.
Freezer
Freeze sliced brownies for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
This usually means they are under baked. Let them cool completely so they firm up.
Yes. This recipe is naturally vegan if using dairy free chocolate chips.
Yes. Almond butter or cashew butter works well.
Yes if using gluten free flour.
You May Also Like
- 4 Ingredient Protein Brownies
- Hot Fudge Brownies
- Paleo Brownies
- Sweet Potato Brownies
- 4 Ingredient Cookies
If you make this 4 ingredient brownie recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, check out these Dessert Recipes.
Get the Recipe: 4 Ingredient Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups mashed ripe bananas
- 1 ½ cups all natural creamy peanut butter
- ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder
- ½ cup gluten free flour, see note
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips, optional but recommended
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 inch square pan with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, peanut butter, cocoa powder, and gluten free flour. Stir until a dough is formed.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer this mixture into the lined pan. Smooth into an even layer.
- Bake for 18 to 21 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with only a few moist crumbs.
- Finally, remove these protein brownies from the oven. Allow them to cool before slicing.
Notes
- If you are not gluten free, feel free to use all purpose flour.
- Use all natural creamy peanut butter. It should be made from only peanuts and salt.
- If desired, replace with all natural almond butter or cashew butter.
- Use ripe bananas for best results.
- Bake only until the middle looks barely set. These brownies are meant to be gooey.
- Store brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Then, store in the fridge or freezer.
2 Comments on “4 Ingredient Brownies”
The brownies turned out to be great!! My batter was not as sticky as yours, but it was still fine. This is the first time I ever made a brownie, so I am kinda excited with what turned out. Thanks for shring this easy recipe.
I made this but I added a little bit of vanilla and a little espresso powder and I found them to be a bit bland. They didn’t taste like brownies at all. They tasted more like bland banana bread. I plan on trying these again with apple sauce instead of bananas.