These Banana–Date Brownies are one of my favourite healthier bakes. They’re still rich, fudgy and chocolatey, but instead of heaps of sugar, they’re sweetened naturally with ripe bananas and soft dates. That makes them about 60–70% as sweet as a classic brownie—just enough to feel like a treat, without being overly sugary.
We actually bake them at school for our under-5s, to fit the new UK government guidelines on sugar for little ones. At first, I wasn’t sure how the kids would take to them, but they absolutely love them! It’s amazing to see how quickly they tuck in, proving you don’t need mountains of sugar to make something delicious.
The bananas keep the brownies moist and gooey, while the dates bring that lovely caramel flavour that works so well with cocoa. They’ve become a real favourite for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, and even for the staff when there are a few extras going around.
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Why Bananas & Dates Make the Best Natural Sweeteners
What makes these banana–date brownies so special is that the sweetness comes entirely from fruit. Instead of refined sugar, we rely on two simple ingredients you probably already have at home—ripe bananas and soft Medjool dates. They’re the secret behind these sugar-free brownies being both healthy and fudgy.
- Bananas – The riper the better. Those spotty bananas at the bottom of the fruit bowl are perfect for baking. Their natural sugars add gentle sweetness while also keeping the brownie texture moist and gooey. Bananas bring a boost of fibre, vitamin B6, and plenty of potassium, which is especially helpful for growing kids.
- Dates – Think of them as nature’s caramel. When blended into a smooth paste, dates give these fruit-sweetened brownies a rich, deep flavour and a lovely chew. They’re naturally high in fibre and minerals, which makes them a smarter choice than refined sugar.
Together, bananas and dates deliver around 60–70% of the sweetness you’d expect from traditional brownies, but with far more nutritional value. That balance makes these healthy banana brownies perfect for children under 5 (in line with the new UK government sugar guidelines), and still indulgent enough to satisfy adults looking for a guilt-free chocolate dessert.
Ingredients for Sugar-Free Banana–Date Brownies
This recipe makes one tray (20×30 cm) of fudgy banana–date brownies, about 16 generous squares. It’s naturally sweetened with fruit, giving you that rich chocolate flavour with around 60–70% of the sweetness of a traditional brownie.
Core Ingredients (≈1.2 kg batter):
- Bananas (480 g, 4 medium, very ripe) – The riper, the sweeter and moister your brownies.
- Pitted Dates (320 g, soaked → 300 g paste) – Natural caramel-like sweetness, keep brownies fudgy.
- Plain Flour (450 g) – Structure, swap for gluten-free blend if needed.
- Cocoa Powder (90 g, unsweetened) – Deep chocolate flavour; Dutch-processed gives smoother taste.
- Eggs (3, ~150 g) – Bind and add richness, use flax eggs for vegan version.
- Sunflower Oil (150 ml) – Keeps brownies soft, any neutral oil works.
- Baking Powder (10 g, 2 tsp) – Light lift, prevents dense texture.
- Baking Soda (4 g, ½ tsp) – Reacts with bananas/dates for gentle rise.
- Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) – Enhances sweetness and chocolate flavour.
- Salt (½ tsp, 3 g) – Balances flavours, sharpens cocoa.
Substitution Tips
- Gluten-Free Brownies – Replace plain flour with a gluten-free baking blend. Oat flour also works for extra fibre.
- Vegan Banana Brownies – Swap the eggs for 3 flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water per egg, let sit 10 minutes).
- Nut-Free Treats – The recipe is naturally nut-free. For a bit of crunch, fold in pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead of nuts.
- Dairy-Free Brownies – Already dairy-free if you use vegetable oil and a dairy-free cocoa powder.
Chef’s Tip: If your date paste feels too stiff, add 1–2 tablespoons of the soaking water when blending. It should be smooth and spreadable, not chunky—this ensures your brownies bake evenly and stay fudgy.
Printable Recipe Card – Banana–Date Brownies (Sugar-Free):
Sugar-Free Banana & Date Brownies – Fudgy Healthy Treat
Equipment:
- Blender or Food Processor – to turn soaked dates into a smooth paste.
- 20×30 cm brownie tin (or similar) – needed for correct batch size and even bake.
- Parchment / baking paper (large sheet) – to line the tin, prevents sticking.
- Digital kitchen scales – essential for accurate weighing at this scale.
- Large mixing bowl (3–4 litre capacity) – batter is bulky with fruit purée.
Ingredients:
- 480 g Bananas - (very ripe, mashed, about 4 medium–large bananas)
- 320 g Pitted Dates
- 450 g Plain Flour
- 90 g Cocoa Powder
- 3 Eggs - (150g)
- 150 ml Sunflower Oil
- 10 g Baking Powder - (2 tsp)
- 4 g Baking Soda - (½ tsp)
- 3 g Salt - (½ tsp)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Instructions:
- Place the pitted dates in a bowl, cover with just-boiled water, and let them soak for 10–15 minutes until soft and plump, then drain well and blend into a smooth paste.
- Preheat the oven to 175 °C (165 °C fan). Line a 20×30 cm brownie tin with baking parchment.
- Mash bananas until smooth, then whisk together with the date paste, eggs, oil, and vanilla until combined.
- In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Fold the dry mix into the wet mixture until just combined (do not overmix)
- Pour the batter into the prepared tin, spread evenly, and bake for 30–35 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter).
- Allow the brownie to cool completely in the tin, then lift it out and cut into 16 squares.
Nutrition:
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Banana–Date Brownies
These sugar-free banana–date brownies are more than just a treat—they’re packed with natural goodness thanks to the fruit base and cocoa.
- Kid-friendly & lunchbox safe – Balanced sweetness makes them ideal for under-5s, following UK government sugar guidelines.
- No refined sugar – Sweetened only with ripe bananas and dates, keeping sweetness at about 60–70% of a classic brownie.
- High in fibre – Dates and bananas add fibre, helping kids feel fuller for longer and supporting digestion.
- Nutrient boost – Bananas bring potassium and vitamin B6, while dates add iron and magnesium.
- Antioxidants from cocoa – Cocoa is rich in flavonoids, which may support heart health and mood.
FAQs
Are banana–date brownies healthy?
Yes, they’re naturally sweetened with fruit, contain no refined sugar, and offer fibre, potassium, and antioxidants.
Can I make them less sweet?
Use slightly underripe bananas and fewer dates for a lighter sweetness.
Can kids under 5 eat these brownies?
Absolutely—they’re designed with 60–70% of the sweetness of traditional brownies, making them perfect for little ones under UK sugar guidelines.
Can I make them gluten-free or vegan?
Yes, both options are simple with flour swaps and flax eggs (see dietary adaptations above).
Chef’s Note
As a chef, I’ve learned that the best desserts don’t need to be overloaded with sugar. These banana–date brownies are proof: simple ingredients, natural sweetness, and a fudgy bite that kids and adults love. They’ve become a favourite in my school kitchen, and I hope they’ll find a place in yours too.
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