Is there anything more nostalgic than devouring a freshly baked piece of banana bread?! This healthy banana bread recipe is near and dear to my heart. The primary reason for that is it is my first recipe that I developed myself. I wanted to create a mouth-watering banana bread recipe without all the refined sugar. This recipe truly checks all the boxes for a delicious, moist, quick-bread. My family asks for this banana bread on a regular basis. They even choose this recipe over our old family favorite every single time. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do;)
Ingredients for Gabi’s Healthy Banana Bread
- Bananas! (the browner the better) Don’t have ripe bananas? Visit my recipe notes for a quick hack!
- Whole Wheat Flour (I use whole wheat flour to give this bread a boost fiber and nutrients like iron, potassium, and vitamin B) I also use White Whole Wheat Flour, it just depends on what I have on hand!
- Eggs (to bind the bread together)
- Olive Oil or Coconut Oil (melted ghee would also work)
- Honey or Maple Syrup (I love how you can use an unrefined sugar option to give this bread a perfect amount of sweetness!)
- Milk (I normally use almond or oat, but any kind will work!)
- Cinnamon (to give this bread a warm flavor that marries the banana flavor perfectly)
- Baking soda (helps this bread rise and gives a deeper flavor to the crumb/crust)
- Salt (every baked good should have salt to bring out all the flavors)
- Pure Vanilla Extract (another flavor enhancer)
- Apple Cider Vinegar (don’t worry, you won’t taste it. it’s just to help the bread rise and maintain its moisture since we are using a denser flour)
- Optional: Your favorite Add-Ins! (I use chopped walnuts and stevia sweetened chocolate chips, but you are the real chef here!)
I know this seems like quite the list, but trust me when I say it will all be worth it!
Quick tips to make this the best healthy banana bread ever!
- Whisk wet ingredients thoroughly! You want to whisk vigorously to incorporate all the oil, honey, and egg completely so you are not trying to beat out those egg streaks when we add the flour.
- Don’t over mix after adding flour/dry ingredients. Over mixing will cause the bread to be dense, which no one wants. An occasional streak of flour at the end of mixing is okay and is actually recommended in order that we maintain a moist, well-risen healthy banana bread.
- Be aware that different add-ins will slightly change the baking time for this bread! (Notes for specific add-ins under recipe.)
Gabi’s Healthy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup whole wheat flour or white whole wheat
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
- ⅓ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup almond milk any type of milk works in this recipe!
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup ripened, mashed bananas about 2-3 medium sized bananas
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional! you can sub out any mix-in for your liking, or leave them out all together!
- ½ or 1 cup refined sugar free chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° F and spray a 1lb loaf pan with nonstick spray. Set aside. *
- Mash your bananas. Mash the bananas until they have a smooth liquid behavior (some lumps are fine). I like to mash mine on a paper plate, I find a flat surface is easier than smashing them in a bowl. The better you mash them, the smoother the texture of your bread.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. The whole wheat flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon all need a moment together.
- Next, grab a large mixing bowl. Using a whisk, vigorously mix the mashed bananas, oil (make sure it's cooled if it's coconut oil!) eggs, and honey. Then add the apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract, and milk of choice.
- Gently fold in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. A few streaks of flour are okay, and even recommended! We do not want an over mixed batter that will result in a dense bread.
- My favorite part: The mix-ins! Feel free to add up to a cup and a half of your favorite add-ins. *
- Pour the prepared batter into the greased loaf pan. Bake at 325° F for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out mostly clean, with a few crumbs. *
Notes
Did you make this super moist and healthy banana bread?! Leave a comment below, I’d love to hear how it turned out and what creative changes you made!
Recipe By: Gabriella Fletcher // Delightful by Gabriella // Photography: Gabriella
Jump to Recipe9 responses to “Gabi’s Healthy Banana Bread”
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[…] As you can see, the list is pretty basic! There are so many substitutions as well that make this recipe very versatile. The thing that makes this bread so special is in the techniques;) If you are looking for a more basic, but still amazing banana bread recipe, check out Gabi’s Healthy Banana Bread! […]
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I just made this banana bread and my grandkids and I are obsessed! I have always only liked the banana bread with a ton of sugar and oil, however, i actually enjoy this healthier banana more and feel way better about feeding it to my grandkids!! thanks so much for sharing! -
This looks like an awesome recipe! We’ve been doing some home renovations over the last few months and we’re finally finishing up! We just had our carpets cleaned, which is the second to last thing we needed to do, so as we finish up, I just want to make something special for my kids who have been so helpful! Thank you for sharing this!!
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