Banana Blondies Recipe

This banana blondies recipe is a delicious twist on the classic brownie, featuring a rich brown sugar flavor and a moist, cookie-like texture. Perfect for using up overripe bananas, these banana bars are bursting with sweet banana flavor in every bite. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy bananas and brownies, this easy and tasty dessert is sure to impress!

Original post: October 2019 | Updated: April 2021 and December 2024

Why This Recipe Works

• This banana blondies recipe is so tasty, with that brown sugar flavor and cookie texture.
• Perfect way to use up overripe bananas.
• So much yummy banana flavor with moist crumbs in these banana bars.
• Great way to change up your classic brownie recipe.
• They have a perfectly chewy texture and they’re perfect for bake sales, as they are sturdy and can easily be transported without falling apart (plus everyone will love them!).

Recipe Ingredients

Butter – Many bakers use unsalted butter in their baked goods in order to avoid over-salting. I, however, almost always use salted butter in my baked goods because it gives everything an extra touch of salty deliciousness.

Allow the butter sit at room temperature before adding it to the recipe. This will prevent clumps from forming in the batter when mixed.

Brown sugar – Using brown sugar is key when making blonde brownies! I highly recommend not replacing any of it with granulated sugar, but you can use light brown sugar and dark brown sugar interchangeably.

Eggs – Allow the egg to come to room temperature before combining with the sugar mixture.

Vanilla extract – Increase the vanilla flavor even more by adding a total of 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Flour – All purpose flour is my go-to for this banana blondie recipe. Use your favorite gluten-free flour for a GF recipe.

Baking powder – Make sure your leavening agents are fresh and within their expiration dates.

Salt – Use any variety.

Bananas – It should be easy to create mashed bananas, so start with ripe! This ingredient adds such a natural sweetness that you’ll fall in love with.

White chocolate chips – Substitute white chocolate with macadamia nuts, butterscotch chips or milk chocolate chips or a combination of any of these.

How To Make Banana Blondies

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. 

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer), combine the wet ingredients: butter, brown sugar, egg and vanilla extract.

Beat on medium speed until creamy and free of lumps.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined. Fold in the mashed banana and chocolate chips (reserve 1/2 cup for topping).

Step 3

Pour the blondie batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the reserved chocolate chips over the top.

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-28 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Recipe Notes

• For a darker blondie, replace light brown sugar with dark brown sugar.
• Great options for mix-ins: milk, dark, white or semisweet chocolate chips, butterscotch or peanut butter chips, chopped chocolate, macadamia nuts, M&M’s candies, chopped nuts, toffee bits or golden raisins.
  Or add a combination of any or all of the above, as long as you do not exceed 2 cups total.
• Serving ideas: Serve warm, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Add sprinkles on top for fun. Drizzle with chocolate syrup and whipped cream before serving.

Toppings for Blondies

• Brown sugar frosting
• Brown butter frosting
• Cream cheese frosting

How To Store Blondies

Store blondies in an airtight container (or tightly wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap) at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

How To Freeze Blondies

Allow blonde brownies to cool completely to room temperature and cut into squares. Place cooled blondie squares in a single layer inside resealable freezer bags and freeze for up to 4 months for best results.

Blondies vs Brownies

Blondies and brownies share similar ingredients, the main difference being that brownies contain chocolate chips and cocoa powder while blondies are heavy on vanilla and brown sugar.

What To Do With Ripe Bananas

If overripe, brown bananas are donning your counter, you’ll need a few banana recipes so they don’t go to waste!

• Easy Banana Bars
• Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with Cream Cheese
• Pumpkin Banana Bread Muffins
• Banana Crumb Muffins
• 3-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Bars

Favorite Brownie Recipes

• Meet Chocolate Caramel Brownies, one of my favorite brownie recipes of all time. The caramel hides in the middle for a delicious surprise. 
• Peanut Butter Blondies are unthinkably delicious, super easy to make and they are the perfect excuse to bake when you have extra candy on your hands. 
• Brownies with Marshmallows and Rice Krispies are the most delicious brownies you’ll ever eat and they’re impossible to resist.
• Reese’s Cheesecake Brownies are the best of all dessert worlds! Cheesecake, brownies, chocolate and peanut butter all in a single bite.