Description
This Healthy Banana Bread recipe offers a moist, flavorful loaf made with wholesome ingredients like mashed ripe bananas, whole wheat flour, and natural sweeteners such as honey or maple syrup. It’s a perfect treat for breakfast or snack time, combining the natural sweetness of bananas with a subtle cinnamon touch and optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips for added texture and taste.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (75 grams) melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil or high quality vegetable oil
- ½ cup honey (168 grams) or maple syrup (155 grams)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (225 grams) mashed ripe bananas (about 2 ½ medium or 2 large bananas)
- ¼ cup (56 grams) milk of choice or water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (NOT baking powder)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more to swirl on top
- 1 ¾ cups (220 grams) white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour
Optional Mix-Ins
- ½ cup mix-ins like chopped walnuts or pecans, chocolate chips, raisins, chopped dried fruit, fresh banana slices
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted oil and honey until combined. Beat in the eggs well, then whisk in the mashed bananas and milk. If the oil solidifies upon contact with cool ingredients, warm the bowl gently before mixing.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the baking soda, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon until blended. Using a large spoon, fold in the flour just until the mixture is combined; small lumps are okay. If using, carefully fold in any desired mix-ins now.
- Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan, then sprinkle lightly with cinnamon on top. For a decorative swirl, run a knife tip across the batter in a zig-zag pattern.
- Bake the Bread: Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center—it should come out clean. Bread without mix-ins usually takes about 55 minutes; with mix-ins, closer to 60 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes. Loosen edges with a butter knife if needed, then carefully remove the bread from the pan and place it on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- You can substitute the oil with your preferred high-quality vegetable oil or extra-virgin olive oil based on dietary preferences.
- Use white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative to all-purpose flour.
- Do not substitute baking soda with baking powder as they behave differently in recipes.
- Optional mix-ins like nuts or chocolate chips can enhance flavor and texture but may slightly increase baking time.
- If using coconut oil that has solidified, warming it gently before mixing prevents clumps.
- Allow the banana bread to cool completely for best slicing results and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-60 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American