Healthy Banana Bread

This Healthy Banana Bread is crafted from wholesome ingredients, including ripe bananas, alternative sugars, and gluten-free flour and is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.

Healthier Banana Bread Recipe: A Nourishing Twist on a Classic Favorite

Craving the warmth of freshly baked banana bread without compromising your commitment to a healthy lifestyle? This Healthy Banana Bread is the perfect blend of wholesome ingredients, ensuring a guilt-free indulgence that doesn’t skimp on flavor.

Why Make This Recipe?

• Healthier Ingredients: Utilize alternative sugars, almond milk, and gluten-free flour for a more wholesome treat.
• Natural Sweetness: Ripe bananas bring natural sweetness, reducing the need for excess sugar.
• Versatile Options: Customize with variations like nuts, seeds, or dried fruits to suit your taste.
• Dietary Flexibility: Adaptable for gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free dietary preferences.
• Convenient Storage: Easy to store, freeze, and make ahead for a hassle-free and accessible snack.

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• Unsweetened Almond Milk and Apple Cider Vinegar: A smart duo that adds a healthy twist, providing a lighter base while maintaining the desired moistness of traditional banana bread.
• Ripe Bananas: Mashed to perfection, these nutrient-rich fruits not only infuse natural sweetness but also pack a punch of potassium and fiber.
• Maple Sugar and Coconut Sugar: Healthier alternatives that impart sweetness without the refined sugars, ensuring a treat that’s both delicious and mindful of your well-being. Opting for granulated monk fruit sweetener presents a lower sugar alternative, allowing you to indulge in sweetness with a mindful twist.
• Dairy-Free Butter or Refined Coconut Oil: These options bring a dose of healthy fats to the mix, contributing to a moist texture and a rich, satisfying flavor.
• Vanilla Extract: A natural flavor enhancer that adds depth without unnecessary calories, making your banana bread experience even more enjoyable.
• Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour: A gluten-free option that doesn’t compromise on texture. Alternatively, you can choose finely ground gluten-free oat flour or regular all-purpose flour based on your dietary needs.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda, and Ground Cinnamon: This trio ensures your banana bread rises perfectly while infusing warm, comforting flavors, with the added bonus of potential antioxidant benefits from cinnamon.
• Chocolate Chips: Choose dark chocolate chips for a decadent touch without sacrificing health benefits. Dark chocolate is known for its antioxidants and may contribute to heart health.
• Reserved Banana for Decorating: Beyond aesthetics, this banana imparts extra flavor and a hint of natural sweetness to the top of your bread.

Instructions: How to make Healthy Banana Bread

1. Preheat and Prepare: Set your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease and line your loaf pan for a healthier, non-stick option.
2. Create the Wholesome Base: Almond milk and apple cider vinegar create a curdled mixture, contributing to a lighter texture. Mashed ripe bananas, alternative sugars, melted dairy-free butter or coconut oil, and vanilla complete the nutritious wet ingredients.
3. Craft a Nutrient-Rich Dry Mix: Whole grain or gluten-free flours, combined with baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon, form the foundation of a healthier banana bread.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, ensuring a well-incorporated, wholesome batter.
5. Add Healthy Chocolate Chips: Dark chocolate chips provide a touch of indulgence with potential health benefits. Fold them into the batter with care.
6. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the batter to your prepared pan, creating a guilt-free treat. Bake until a toothpick comes out clean, and the top is a delightful golden brown.
7. Cool and Slice: Allow your healthier banana bread to cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes. Use parchment paper for easy removal, slice, and savor each guilt-free bite.

Tips for Success:

• Ripe Bananas: Opt for ripe bananas with brown spots for enhanced sweetness.
• Flour options: Experiment with flour options for varied tastes and dietary needs.
• Gradually fold: Exercise patience when combining wet and dry ingredients for the ideal texture.

Variations:

• Nuts: Enhance with chopped nuts or seeds for added crunch.
• Dried Fruits: Incorporate dried fruits like raisins or cranberries for a twist.
• Fresh Fruits or Vegetables: Stir in sliced strawberries, blueberries or even grated zucchini like our Blueberry Banana Bread, Strawberry Banana Bread and Zucchini Banana Bread.
• Nut Butter: Swirl in a spoonful of nut butter for an extra layer of flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

• Enjoy slices with a smear of almond butter or Greek yogurt.
• Top with fresh berries for a burst of color and added freshness.
• Serve warmed slices alongside a cup of your favorite herbal tea.

Storage, Make-Ahead, and Freezer Tips:

• Airtight Container: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Freezer: Freeze individual slices for a quick, on-the-go snack.
• Make-ahead: Make ahead and refrigerate, slicing when ready to serve.

FAQs:

Q: Can I use regular sugar instead of alternative sugars?

A: Absolutely, you can substitute with your preferred granulated sugar.

Q: Can I make this without gluten-free flour?

A: Yes, feel free to use regular all-purpose flour or finely ground gluten-free oat flour.

Q: How can I make banana bread nut-free?

A: Skip nuts and opt for seeds or simply omit them for a nut-free option.

More healthy banana bread recipes you will love:

Paleo Banana Bread

Vegan Banana Bread

5 from 2 votes

Print

Healthy Banana Bread

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

55 mins

 

This Healthy Banana Bread is crafted from wholesome ingredients, including ripe bananas, alternative sugars, and gluten-free flour and is perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.

Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: banana bread, gluten free, moist banana bread recipe, paleo banana bread recipe, paleo bread

Servings: 10 servings

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk or preferred milk of choice
• 1/4 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 3 large ripe bananas mashed well
• ½ cup granulated pure maple sugar or preferred granulated sugar of choice such as granulated monk fruit sweetener for a lower sugar / sugar-free option
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar or preferred granulated brown sugar of choice
• 1/3 cup dairy-free or regular unsalted butter or refined coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour you can also sub with finely ground gluten-free oat flour or regular all purpose flour if you're not gluten-free
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup dairy-free or regular chocolate chips, plus more for topping
• 1 ripe banana for decorating (keep the peel on until just before baking)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly grease an 8” or 9” loaf pan with cooking spray or oil and line with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang for easier removal.
2. In a large bowl whisk together the milk and vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes, until the mixture curdles. Add in the mashed banana, both of the sugars, melted butter (or coconut oil) and vanilla, and mix until combined.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.
4. Carefully add in the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients and stir / mix until the mixture just combined.
5. Fold in the chocolate chips, being careful not to over mix.
6. Transfer the batter into the loaf pan, smoothing out the batter.
7. Slice the reserved banana (with the peel still on) in half, lengthwise, then peel the banana. Sprinkle the cut / interior sides of the banana with a little bit of coconut sugar / brown sugar. Gently arrange the banana slices, sugared side up, on top of the batter. (This may create a dome in the middle of the bananas, where the batter bunches up in the middle. Use a spoon to move some of the batter around the pan so that the bread doesn’t bake unevenly).
8. Sprinkle the top evenly with a little bit more chocolate chips.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 63-68 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean and the top of the bread is slightly brown (start checking at 50 minutes to make sure).
10. Remove the loaf pan from the oven, and allow the bread to cool in the pan for at least 20-30 minutes. Use the parchment paper to remove the bread from the pan and cut into slices. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Banana Bread

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 0

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.