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Yield: 10 slices
Ready In: 1 hour 15 minutes
Whenever I need a breakfast or snack I know my 3 year old is going to eat for sure… I make this banana bread. It's full of healthy whole grains, refined sugar free and delicious to boot.I usually make it with melted butter (tastes so good!), but if you want to make it dairy free, it works beautifully with any kind of oil that's suitable for cooking and baking, too.
Recommended Equipment:
- Measuring Jug
- Loaf Pan
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1.5 cups mashed bananas (about 4 ripe medium-sized ones)
- ⅓ cup melted butter (OR oil)
- ½ cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prep: Heat oven to 360°F. Line and grease a 4×8 OR 5×9 inch loaf pan.
- Make batter: Whisk together all wet ingredients in a large measuring jug. Combine all dry ingredients well in a large mixing bowl. Add the wet to the dry ingredients and fold JUST until combined (use a spatula or wooden spoon, NOT a whisk for combining the batter!).
- Bake: Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake in hot oven for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out just clean. Cool in pan on a cooling rack for 10 minutes, then remove carefully, peel off baking parchment and cool completely on cooling rack.
Nora’s Tips
Ingredient Notes:
Bananas: Please use really ripe bananas, as a lot of the moisture and sweetness in this recipe comes from using ripe bananas. If you use bananas that aren’t very ripe, the bread won’t be as good. Butter: As I said in the intro, you can make this recipe dairy free by using oil in place of butter. I usually use canola oil, but melted coconut oil works great, too. Honey: The recipe works with maple syrup in place of honey, too. Flour: If you don’t want to use whole wheat flour, feel free to use regular instead. Add 1-2 tablespoons extra if the batter seems too thin (whole wheat flour soaks up more liquid). I have had readers make my other banana breads successfully with cup-for-cup gluten free flour, too, so that is definitely worth a try if you need it. Cornstarch: It helps to make a fluffier bread, but if you don’t have any, add 1-2 tablespoons of extra flour instead. The texture will be slightly more dense, but still good. Baking soda: You can use baking powder in place of the baking soda in this recipe.Baking Tips:
Mashing bananas: I usually break the peeled bananas in a few pieces and then use a fork to mash them right in the measuring jug before I add any of the other wet ingredients. So easy! Measuring out the honey: It can be super sticky in the measuring cup, so I always spray the cup with cooking spray to help it slide right out. Combining the batter: Please please use a spatula to combine the wet and dry ingredients, and only fold until JUST combined and no more dry flour is visible. Otherwise the banana bread will turn out very dense. Bake as muffins: This recipe also works to make healthy banana muffins. Just divide between 12 lined and greased muffin cups and bake for around 18 minutes.Storage Tips:
I like storing banana bread wrapped in parchment paper on the counter for a couple of days. To keep it fresh for up to 4-5 days, you can wrap it in parchment and store it in the fridge.Freezer Instructions:
Either wrap the entire loaf first in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil, OR freeze it sliced. To freeze in slices, separate the slices with parchment paper so they don’t stick together – that way you can pull them out one by one! Place in a container suitable for freezing and label with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months). Place in the freezer. To defrost, leave on a rack on the counter for a few hours. You can also reheat the slices in the oven or microwave if you like.Nutrition
Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 33mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 178mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg
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Tearney says
I loved this recipe! I Had to sub some applesauce for one banana. So delicious and not too sweet!
Sandy says
This maybe the best banana bread I have made. I have tried several recipes and this one wins. I did change a few things. I only had two bananas so I added a cup of fresh blueberries, I used white flour since I did not have enough whole wheat. I used maple syrup instead of honey. Other than that it was the same. Next time I think I will use 1/4 cup of maple syrup to lessen the calories.
Debbie S says
This was really tasty. I used cinnamon flavoured honey and found that 1/3 cup was enough though I did throw in 1/3 cup of mini semi sweet chocolate chips. I also added 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. Definitely will make again.
Shannon S says
I’m so happy I found this recipe! I was looking for a healthier banana bread/muffin recipe. This one was perfect! It has just enough sweetness and it’s nice and fluffy! I added some ground flaxseed and walnuts for some nuttiness. It’s even toddler approved! Thanks for the great recipe! It’s a keeper!
Cecilia Montesinos Richter says
Thank you! After years of trying different healthy banana recipes that my husband wouldn’t eat, I have FINALLY found the right recipe for my family! I made a double batch and used a combination of yogurt and buttermilk in place of half of the oil and coconut sugar instead of honey, added the chopped walnuts and it is a hit!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Cecilia!
AvdG says
Very happy with this recipe! Made this without the oil/butter by accident, didn’t worry about it though, because of the banana. Also subbed the 170 gr of honey for 50 gr brown sugar. Added a tablespoon of yoghurt, always do this when working with baking soda. So so happy with how this turned out, thank you!
Marta says
This is by far the best banana bread recipe I’ve come a cross over the years. Most of them turned out soggy, but not this one. It’s light and fluffy and super healthy. Thank you for the recipe!
Nora Rusev says
I’m so glad to hear this, Marta. And I agree! Most banana bread recipes I have tried are dense and soggy, and I way prefer a fluffy banana bread, so I’m happy my recipe turned out well for you, too.
Morgan says
could i sub in coconut oil or apple sauce for the butter? which would you recommend?
Nora Rusev says
Morgan, you can definitely use melted coconut oil! Not sure about the applesauce, I suspect it would make the bread too wet in conjunction with the mashed banana. Hope that helps!
Linda says
This bread was amazing! I made 4 loaves in a week and my family devoured all of them. I used a little less butter and still delicious! Another loaf I did half butter and half unsweetened applesauce, stIll delicious! I put your crumble topping from your other banana bread recipe. Super delicious! I even forgot the eggs in one loaf, still delicious! People, make this bread!! Thank you for the great recipe!