4.54 103 Published Nov 28, 2023, Updated Oct 04, 2024
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy to make – This recipe is pretty straight forward and made with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Moist and fluffy – The loaf comes out perfectly fluffy and super moist thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt. Healthier – This is a lightened-up recipe so you can feel good about enjoying it and serving it up to friends and family.
What Makes This Banana Bread Healthy?
As you probably know by now, one of my favorite things to do is take childhood recipes and make them healthier! This time around I used my mom’s classic banana bread recipe as a guide and made a few simple swaps. “Wow!!! I am in love. This is the first healthier banana bread that actually does not taste any different than regular banana bread made with white sugar. This will be my go to from now on!!” – Erin N For starters, I replaced some of the processed, all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added nutrients. And then used less butter and added some Greek yogurt in it’s place. The yogurt works great because it keeps the bread nice and moist and adds a little protein too! For the sugar, I recommend using coconut sugar as it’s a great natural sweetener, but you can also cut back on the amount of sugar used if you want to make a lower-sugar version. See my note below.
Ingredients Needed for Healthy Banana Bread
As I mentioned above, you don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this recipe. You probably have everything you need in your kitchen right now!
all-purpose flour – provides the base structure for the bread. whole wheat or whole wheat pastry flour – we’re replacing some of the white flour with whole wheat flour for some additional whole grains. I prefer to use whole wheat pastry flour because it results in a light and fluffy bread that regular all-purpose flour provides, but still has the nutrients of whole wheat flour. organic cane sugar or coconut sugar – I recommend using either cane sugar or coconut sugar, both of which are less processed than white granulated sugar. Feel free to use pure maple syrup or honey as a substitute if that’s what you have on hand. butter or melted coconut oil – helps to keep this loaf moist. You can use butter or melted coconut oil, whichever you prefer. eggs – helps to give the loaf structure. ripe bananas – the star ingredient, offering natural sweetness and moisture. Make sure you’re using ripe bananas with brown spots for the best results. The riper the better! Lots of the time I’ll freeze bananas when they’re perfectly ripe so I can use them for banana bread later. Just thaw and use! Greek yogurt – this adds some protein and helps to keep the bread moist without the need for more butter. vanilla extract – the perfect flavor enhancer. cinnamon – adds a nice warming spice to the loaf. baking soda – helps the bread rise and become fluffy. sea salt – enhances the overall flavors.
Dietary Substitutions
Dairy-free: To make this banana bread dairy-free use vegan butter or melted coconut oil and swap the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt. Gluten-free: I haven’t tested this recipe with a gluten-free flour option, but one reader did make this with a gluten-free 1:1 flour blend and said it turned out well! You could also try my coconut flour banana bread or almond flour banana bread which are both gluten-free. Vegan: I also haven’t tested a vegan version of this recipe, but one reader did use chia eggs in place of the regular eggs and said it turned out just fine. That said, I’d imagine this recipe would work with flax eggs and then make sure to use a vegan yogurt and coconut oil or vegan butter. You can also just make my vegan banana bread instead. That might be your best bet! Low-sugar: If you’d prefer a lower sugar banana bread feel free to reduce the amount of sugar to 1/2 cup. I’ve tested this bread with both 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup sugar and both turned out great!
How to Make Healthy Banana Bread
Step 1: Mix together your dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and butter/oil using a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add your eggs one at a time, mixing well after adding. Then, add your remaining wet ingredients to the mixture and beat on medium speed until well combined and smooth. Step 2: Gently add your dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing at a low speed just until the batter is combined. Don’t over-mix! Step 3: Spoon the batter into your prepared loaf pan, place in the preheated oven and bake for about 60 minutes or until a toothpick or butter knife inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few crumbs. Step 4: After removing the bread from the oven, let it cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Then, transfer it onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Healthy Banana Bread Variations
I love this recipe as-is, but I know it’s fun to experiment and so here are some ideas on how to switch this loaf up:
Add nuts: Mix in chopped nuts like walnuts, pecans or almonds for a nice crunch. Add chocolate: Add dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to the batter for a decadent addition that’s absolutely delicious. The combo of banana + chocolate = a match made in heaven. If you want a double chocolate loaf make this chocolate banana bread! Make it fruity: Mix in fresh blueberries or dried fruit like cranberries or raisins.
Ways to Serve Banana Bread
Few things are better than fresh, warm banana bread! I love eating a slice for breakfast toasted with butter or nut butter. Here are some ideas:
Enjoy a slice for breakfast alongside your morning coffee with a little butter and a dash of cinnamon. Or spread on some jam (this strawberry chia jam would be delish) and nut butter. For a more protein-packed breakfast serve a slice alongside two hardboiled eggs, baked egg cups and/or a protein shake. Serve this banana bread for brunch alongside my spinach quiche or egg white quiche, fruit salad and mimosas. So yummy!
How to Store
At room temperature: Wrap the banana bread in foil or plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Tip! It’s best to slice it as you eat to retain moisture. In the fridge: For longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week. This helps maintain freshness and prevents mold. In the freezer: Banana bread stores wonderfully in the freezer. Wrap the loaf or individual slices in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or place them in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature.
More Quick Bread Recipes
Strawberry Banana Bread Tahini Banana Bread Zucchini Banana Bread Vegan Apple Bread Healthy Pumpkin Bread Pumpkin Banana Bread Oat Flour Banana Bread
Be sure to check out all of the banana recipes and quick bread recipes on EBF!
