Banana Bread Brownies (Easy Brownie Mix Recipe)

These easy Banana Bread Brownies start with a boxed brownie mix and ripe bananas. Super moist, rich, chocolatey, and topped with melted chocolate!

If you love banana bread and chocolate brownies, you're going to love these Banana Bread Brownies! Made with a boxed brownie mix, three overripe bananas, and plenty of chocolate chips, they're incredibly moist, rich, and packed with banana flavor.

And the best part? They're ridiculously easy to make!

Banana Bread Brownies: Another Happy Baking Accident!

I'm pretty sure I've passed the legal limit on banana recipes. But until today, I didn't have Banana Bread Brownies!

And wouldn't you know it? These turned out to be one of the happiest little baking accidents I've had in a while.

I'd made Butter Pecan Banana Bread the day before and had three little overripe bananas left over.

Now, if you've spent any time here at Out of the Box Baking, you know I can't stand to waste perfectly good baking ingredients. Especially bananas!

I spotted a box of brownie mix in my pantry and started wondering what would happen if I added those bananas to the batter.

I knew the bananas would contribute moisture, so I cut back on the oil and water called for on the package. I tossed in some miniature chocolate chips, poured everything into a baking dish, and hoped for the best. Thirty minutes later, I had a pan of beautiful chocolate brownies!

I decided to take things one step further by adding a thin layer of melted chocolate chips on top. And then came the moment of truth.

A Little Taste of Balboa Island

When I took my first bite, I couldn't believe how familiar the flavor was.

My immediate thought was, "This tastes just like those chocolate-covered bananas on Balboa Island!"

If you've ever visited Balboa Island in Southern California, you probably know about their famous chocolate-covered frozen bananas.

Whenever we're in Southern California, we make a point of heading to Balboa Island just to enjoy one of those delicious treats.

There's something wonderful about that combination of sweet banana and rich chocolate.

And somehow, completely by accident, I'd managed to capture that same flavor in a brownie!

Now, these aren't frozen, of course. They're soft, moist, and tender, with a rich chocolate flavor and plenty of banana goodness.

But that first bite certainly took me back to California!

Why You'll Love These Banana Bread Brownies

These brownies are the perfect combination of two favorite desserts.

They have the rich chocolate flavor you'd expect from a brownie, but the bananas give them a softer, moister texture that's reminiscent of banana bread.

They're also incredibly easy to make. No complicated ingredients, no special equipment, and no need to start from scratch.

The bananas add natural sweetness and moisture, while the miniature chocolate chips provide little pockets of chocolate throughout.

And that thin chocolate topping? It's the perfect finishing touch!

Ingredients for Banana Bread Brownies

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these delicious treats.

• 1 box Pillsbury brownie mix
• 3 small, overripe bananas, mashed
• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup additional miniature semisweet chocolate chips, for the topping

A Note About the Bananas: I used three small, very ripe bananas. If yours are particularly large, you might want to use a little less. Too much banana could affect the texture and baking time.

A Note About the Brownie Mix: I used a Pillsbury brownie mix and adjusted the liquids to accommodate the bananas. Other brands may work, but results could vary.

How to Make Banana Bread Brownies

These come together in minutes!

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Prepare an 8×11-inch baking dish with nonstick baking spray or parchment paper.

Step 2: Mash the Bananas

Peel your three overripe bananas and mash them with a fork until mostly smooth.

A few small lumps are perfectly fine.

Step 3: Mix the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the brownie mix, mashed bananas, eggs, vegetable oil, and water.

Stir until everything is incorporated. Don't overmix.

Step 4: Add the Chocolate Chips

Fold in ½ cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips.

Spread the batter evenly into your prepared baking dish.

Step 5: Bake

Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes.

The edges should be set, and a toothpick inserted near the center should come out with moist crumbs rather than wet batter.

Keep in mind that these brownies are supposed to be very moist!

Step 6: Add the Chocolate Topping

Remove the brownies from the oven and allow them to rest for about five minutes.

Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup miniature chocolate chips evenly over the warm brownies.

Allow the chips to soften for several minutes, then gently spread them into a thin layer using an offset spatula.

If the chips aren't quite melted enough to spread, you can briefly place the pan back into the warm, turned-off oven.

Step 7: Cool and Slice

Allow the brownies to cool completely so the chocolate topping can set.

Slice into squares and serve.

That's it! You've just made a delicious pan of Banana Bread Brownies!

What Do Banana Bread Brownies Taste Like?

Imagine a rich chocolate brownie with the soft, moist texture of banana bread.

That's pretty much what you've got here!

The bananas are definitely noticeable, but they don't overpower the chocolate. Instead, the two flavors complement one another beautifully.

The brownies are dense, tender, and incredibly moist without being heavy or dry.

And the melted chocolate topping adds one more layer of chocolate goodness.

If you're a fan of chocolate-covered bananas, I think you're going to love these!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any boxed brownie mix?

I used Pillsbury brownie mix for this recipe. Other brands may work, but the results could vary depending on the package size and ingredients.

Can I use large bananas?

You can, but I recommend using approximately ¾ cup mashed banana to start, since that's an estimate of the amount my three small bananas provided.

Are these brownies fudgy or cakey?

They're somewhere in between! They have a dense, moist brownie texture with a softer crumb reminiscent of banana bread.

Can I leave off the chocolate topping?

Absolutely! The brownies already have miniature chocolate chips mixed into the batter, so they're delicious without the additional chocolate layer.

How should I store Banana Bread Brownies?

Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Let them sit at room temperature briefly before serving if you prefer a softer texture.

Can I freeze these brownies?

Yes! Once completely cooled, wrap individual brownies well and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.

Thanks for Stopping By!

I hope you've enjoyed this simple recipe for Banana Bread Brownies!

Sometimes the best recipes happen when you're just trying to use up a few leftover ingredients. That's certainly what happened here.

I wasn't planning to create a new brownie recipe that morning, and I definitely wasn't expecting to be reminded of our favorite chocolate-covered bananas on Balboa Island.

But that's part of the fun of baking, isn't it?

If you give these Banana Bread Brownies a try, I'd love to hear what you think.

And if you happen to have a few overripe bananas sitting on your counter, well, now you know what to do with them!

Happy baking, friends! Before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

About the Author: I'm the baker behind Out of the Box Baking, where I love turning simple ingredients and boxed mixes into something extraordinary. After years of baking cakes, cookies, brownies, and more banana bread recipes than I can count, I'm still finding new things to make!