Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies – 5 Healthy Bites

You know those recipes that disappear before they even have a chance to cool? That’s exactly what happened the first time I made these banana sweetened cottage cheese brownies. My kids, who usually turn their noses up at anything remotely healthy in dessert form, inhaled an entire pan in one afternoon—and begged me to make more! The magic? Ripe bananas and creamy cottage cheese blend into the most luscious batter, while chocolate chips give that classic brownie texture we all crave. What I love most is how guilt-free they feel—no refined sugar, packed with protein, and ready in under an hour. Perfect for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, or when that 3pm chocolate craving hits (we’ve all been there).

Why You’ll Love These Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies

Trust me, these brownies are about to become your new go-to treat. Here’s why:

• Wholesome ingredients: Cottage cheese and banana pack in protein and natural sweetness—no refined sugar needed (unless you want that extra honey drizzle, which, let’s be real, I usually do).
• Kid-approved magic: My picky eaters have no idea they’re eating something nutritious—they just see chocolatey goodness.
• Easy-peasy prep: Blend, stir, bake. Done in 40 minutes flat, even with little “helpers” spilling cocoa powder everywhere.
• Texture heaven: The chocolate chips melt into pockets of joy, while the banana keeps them fudgy for days.

Ingredients for Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies

Here’s what you’ll need to make these irresistible brownies:

• 1 cup cottage cheese (blended smooth – trust me, this makes all the difference)
• 1 large over-ripe banana (mashed very smooth or blended with the cheese)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (I use Dutch-processed for that deep chocolate flavor)
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, just for sweetness balance – skip it if you want fully fruit-sweetened)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (crucial for texture – don’t skip these!)

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

No cottage cheese? Greek yogurt works in a pinch. Out of almond flour? Try oat flour instead – just pulse oats in your blender until fine. The honey’s totally optional (my kids prefer it with, but I often make it without). And those chocolate chips? They’re non-negotiable in my book – they make these taste like real brownies! If you want to see other ways we use cottage cheese in baking, check out our cottage cheese banana bread recipe.

How to Make Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies

Okay, let’s get baking! These brownies come together so easily, you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with box mixes. Here’s exactly how I make them:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan. I like to use butter or coconut oil for this – it gives the edges that perfect crispness.
2. Blend the wet ingredients first – toss the cottage cheese, banana, eggs, and vanilla into your blender. Blend until it’s completely smooth, about 30 seconds. No lumps allowed! This step is what makes the texture so dreamy.
3. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl – whisk together the cocoa powder and almond flour to get rid of any clumps.
4. Combine everything by pouring the blended mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined – overmixing makes tough brownies, and we want fudgy!
5. Fold in chocolate chips – I save a handful to sprinkle on top before baking because, well, more chocolate is always better.
6. Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs (not wet batter). The top should look set but still feel slightly soft to the touch.

Tips for Perfect Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies

Here are my hard-earned secrets for brownie perfection:

• Use bananas with lots of brown spots – they’re sweeter and mash easier.
• Don’t skip blending the cottage cheese – it eliminates any graininess.
• Check at 25 minutes – ovens vary, and overbaking dries them out.
• Let them cool at least 15 minutes before cutting – they firm up as they cool.

Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies – 5 Healthy Bites

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These brownies are a delightful way to indulge your sweet tooth while sneaking in some nutritious ingredients. Made with ripe bananas and creamy cottage cheese, they’re a wholesome dessert that my kids absolutely adore. The chocolate chips give them that perfect brownie texture, and I love that they’re naturally sweetened!

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 brownies 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup cottage cheese (blended smooth)
• 1 large over-ripe banana (mashed very smooth or blended with the cheese)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, just for sweetness balance, but can be omitted for fully fruit-sweetened)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips (crucial for texture)

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking pan.
2. In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, banana, eggs, and vanilla. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cocoa powder and almond flour. Pour in the blended mixture and stir until just combined.
4. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it out evenly.
6. Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Notes

• Yields: 16 brownies

• Author: Emily Frost
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 brownie
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 60mg
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 30mg

Serving Suggestions for Banana Sweetened Cottage Cheese Brownies

These brownies shine all on their own, but here’s how I love to serve them: warm with fresh raspberries, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or my personal favorite – a generous drizzle of almond butter that melts into the chocolatey crevices. Perfect for breakfast (don’t judge) or an after-dinner treat! If you are looking for more high-protein dessert ideas, check out our cottage cheese protein brownie bites recipe.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

These brownies keep beautifully in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3 days (if they last that long!). For longer storage, freeze them in a single layer – they’ll stay perfect for up to a month. When that chocolate craving hits, just pop one in the microwave for 10-15 seconds – it’ll taste like it just came out of the oven!

Nutritional Information

Here’s the best part – you can feel good about indulging in these brownies! Each one (based on cutting into 16 squares) has roughly:

• 120 calories
• 8g sugar (mostly from the banana!)
• 4g protein (thanks to that sneaky cottage cheese)
• 2g fiber

Now, these numbers can vary slightly depending on your specific brands of cottage cheese or chocolate chips – but isn’t it nice knowing you’re getting some real nutrition with your chocolate fix? We share more updates and behind-the-scenes looks at recipes on our Facebook page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the cottage cheese?
You can substitute Greek yogurt if you’re out of cottage cheese—the texture will be slightly different, but still delicious. Just don’t skip the dairy completely—that creamy base is what makes these brownies so moist!

How ripe should the banana be?
Look for bananas with lots of brown spots—they’re sweeter and mash into silkier batter. Green-tipped bananas won’t blend as smoothly or give enough natural sweetness. Pro tip: I keep overripe bananas in my freezer just for recipes like this! For another great banana recipe, try our cottage cheese banana muffins recipe.

Can I make these nut-free?
Absolutely! Swap the almond flour for oat flour (just blitz oats in your blender) or all-purpose flour if you prefer. The chocolate chips and cocoa powder still give that rich brownie flavor we all love.

Why did mine turn out cakey instead of fudgy?
You might have overmixed the batter or baked them a tad too long. Next time, stir just until combined and start checking at 25 minutes—remember, we want moist crumbs on the toothpick, not clean!

Try this recipe and let me know how your family likes it—I love hearing your baking stories and seeing photos of your chocolatey creations! If you’re looking for more healthy baked goods, check out our cottage cheese flourless brownies recipe.

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