Banana Protein Brownies (Low Calorie) (2024)

These low calorie banana protein brownies are the ultimate macro-friendly dessert. With just 69 calories, these simple protein brownies have 6.7 g of protein per serving. Healthy, delicious and so easy to make!

Wow, this week we've been having amazing weather here in Spain. Spring has just begun but here it's incredibly warm already: over 25°C (77°F)! My girlfriend and I have been longing for this moment ever since the cold days December. Refreshing yogurt bowls, juicy strawberries...for picnics at the park!

And finally the long awaited moment came: we planned our first picnic for Friday. But not just a simple picnic, a sweet picnic! As we both love breakfast and desserts, the decision was to have a memorable afternoon snack at the park. Well, we had it and it was more like a kind of breakfast at 3 pm...

From fresh strawberries to Greek yogurt, our menu resembled an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Although we already had a lot of food, I was still not satisfied. More healthy desserts were missing. So I baked my infallible oatmeal protein cookies and these super chocolatey banana protein brownies. Oh Lord, the banana brownies were so good that we ate them all!

The ingredients for low calorie protein brownies

You only need 6 ingredients to make low calorie protein brownie with banana - plus a pinch of salt! And as this recipe is pretty simple, there is plenty of freedom when it comes to choosing the ingredients. From details to substitutes, keep on reading to learn more on what goes inside these banana protein brownies!

Egg. For the best result I recommend a fresh egg, from free range chicken if possible.If you want to make vegan protein brownies with banana, replace with one flaxseed egg.

Ripe banana. As these are low calorie protein brownies with bananas, the fruit cannot be replaced that easily. However, if you still are determined not to use them, possible banana replacements are applesauce, mashed sweet potato or mashed pumpkin.

Protein powder. This recipe uses chocolate flavored soy protein powder. After testing out with different protein powders, I can say that vegan protein powders are the best for baking. The reason is that theydo not dry outwhen heated and therefore your low calorie protein brownies will be fudgier. This holds true for casein as well! On the contrary, as it easily gets dry, whey is not the best option for this recipe. Eager to learn more? Make sure to check out the following section!

Cocoa powder. In combination with chocolate flavored protein powder, this ingredient will get you chocolatey low calorie brownies without actually using chocolate. Magic! For healthier banana protein brownies that are also free from added sugars, I recommend natural cocoa powder. As an alternative, feel free to utilize dutch cocoa powder or cacao.

Coconut flour. A byproduct of coconut milk, this flour is morenutritious, higher in fibers and lower in carbs than normal flour. But beware: coconut flour is not the same as desiccated coconut or coconut flakes!As a replacement you can indeed use any other flour, such as oat flour, almond flour or all-purposes flour. However, as coconut flour is highly absorbent, replacing it will with other options require larger amounts. About 1 to 2 tablespoons of normal flour more.

Milk of choice. First, you should keep in mind that the quantity of milk depends on your protein powder choice. While whey will require as little as none, brownies prepared with vegan protein powders or casein may need up to 80 ml (or ⅓ cup) of milk. When it comes to the choice, these low calorie protein brownies can be prepared with any type of milk, either dairy or dairy-free– soy, almond, oat, rice, pea or cashew milk,they are all great!

The best protein powder for banana brownies

The best protein powder to make banana brownies is a vegan protein powder of your choice - I used chocolate flavored soy. Also casein works great! These two types of powders do not drywhen exposed to the heatand therefore they won’t ruin the texture of your low calorie protein brownies. With whey,instead, they will turn out a bit dry.But it will still taste good!

Moreover, the choice of protein powder can slightly alter the consistency of the brownie batter. As a consequence, you will need to make some changes accordingly:

• Vegan protein powder and casein are more absorbent: the banana brownie batter will require more milk, up to 80 ml (⅓ cup).
• Whey protein powder dissolves very easily: the protein brownie batter will require little to no milk.

Best protein powder flavor

With regards to flavor, I suggest making these banana brownies with chocolate protein powder. Together with the cocoa powder, they will give these low calorie brownies a chocolate flavor without even using chocolate!

Nevertheless, you have the freedom to utilize any other flavor you like:vanilla, brownie, salted caramel, peanut butter or even unflavored.Just keep in mind that, if you opt for an unflavored protein powder, this recipe may require some maple syrup or honey. Otherwise the brownies will be missing sweetness.

How to make low calorie protein brownies with banana

First, in a large bowl mash the bananas and combine with the egg until you get a smooth mixture. For the best result, there should be no banana lumps.

Once you are done, add in the protein powder, the cocoa powder, the coconut flour and a pinch of salt, then mix well until you get a smooth brownie batter. Depending on the type of protein powder used, you may need to add as much as 80 ml (or ⅓ cup) of milk. Start with 1 to 2 tablespoons and add as much milk as required to get a smooth batter. As I used soy protein powder, my low calorie banana brownies required all the 80 ml (or ⅓ cup) of milk.

After you get a smooth protein banana batter, transfer to a brownie pan folded with parchment paper. Bake the low calorie protein brownies in hot oven for 20 to 25 minutes.Before slicing, make sure you let them cool completely at room temperature.

How to store low calorie protein brownies

After baking, first you will need to let these banana brownies cool at room temperature. Once cool, transfer to an airtight food container and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. Or refrigerate: in the fridge they last for up to 5 days.

For a longer storage, I suggest transferring your low calorie protein brownie to a zipping bag and freezing for up to 3 months. Before serving, reheat in hot oven for a couple of minutes until nicely warm. Enjoy!

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

More protein brownie recipes

• Greek yogurt protein brownies
• Fudgy flourless protein brownies
• Low calorie protein brownie skillet
• 174 kcal protein brownie batter

Watch the video recipe