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    Home - Bread

    Published: Jan 9, 2017 · Modified: Oct 5, 2021 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Healthy Banana Bread

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    A deliciously moist healthy banana bread made with whole wheat and no butter. It is refined sugar free and perfect for breakfast or a midday snack! 

    A healthy banana bread that is refined sugar free and made with whole wheat.

    Hi, my friends! It's been a long time, I know, but I took a much needed break from posting to rejuvenate myself for the next 12 months. I need to know, how was the holiday season for you? Did you set any resolutions for the year? I don't typically do resolutions and instead try to focus on a word for the year. I still don't have a word picked out yet, but I am trying to be a more organized person. So far, I am failing miserably with keeping on the schedule I set out. On the other hand, the schedule I created does put me well ahead of where I normally would be so it is still helpful.

    I know most people have resolutions to eat healthier, or at least slow things down a bit after all the holiday parties and pounds of cookies we've all been eating. Things tend to get a little harder with keeping on track with those healthy food goals around this time, so I thought I would start the year by sharing something a little healthier and still freaking delicious to help us out. Here, I bring you healthy banana bread.

    Healthy banana bread recipe

    Everyone has a different definition of healthy. This is healthy for me. It's a lot lighter and better for you than most banana breads out there. It isn't a cake in disguise and packed with butter and sugar. Instead most of the sweetness comes from the roasted bananas with just a little bit of help from pure maple syrup. The butter is replaced with coconut oil. It's super moist, but still light and fluffy. There are chocolate chips and roasted pecans for a bit more flavor and texture. We skip the all-purpose flour in favor of whole wheat. I do use eggs in this recipe, but I've also had luck in substituting them with flax eggs.

    A moist,  healthy banana bread that is full of flavor. No one will ever realize that this bread is refined sugar free

    I've wanted to share this healthy banana bread for a while. It's been on my mind since my daughter started kindergarten and I wanted to make a banana bread muffin that I could feel good about putting in her lunchbox and again later in the day as a snack. My original banana bread muffins were a great start with oat flour, reduced, sugar, and no butter, but I knew I could do better. This banana bread is all that I hoped for and more. Plus no one believes me when I tell them that it is secretly better for you.

    A healthy banana bread that is refined sugar free, butter free, and made with whole wheat. A delicious treat for breakfast or a midday snack

    Regardless of your resolutions, there is no denying that this healthy banana bread is e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. My expert advice? Make two loafs and store one in an airtight container in the freezer for later snacking.

    A healthy banana bread that is refined sugar free and made with whole wheat.

    Healthy Banana Bread

    Amanda Powell
    Fluffy, tender, and nutrient-dense healthy banana bread
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 55 mins
    Total Time 1 hr 15 mins
    Course Bread
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 loaf
    Calories 212 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour plus extra for chocolate chips
    • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 3 medium roasted bananas or overripe
    • 2 large eggs room temperature
    • ½ cup maple syrup
    • ¼ cup plain yogurt
    • 4 tablespoons melted coconut oil
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • ½ cup roasted pecans
    • ½ cup chocolate chips*
    • 1 sliced banana

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F grease 9 x 5 loaf pan.
    • In a medium bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.
    • In a separate bowl mash the bananas and eggs together until they are a smooth consistency. Mix in the maple syrup, yogurt, oil, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
    • In a small bowl, mix together the pecans and chocolate chips (* to keep the recipe refined sugar free, I used specialty chocolate chips from Food 52), plus about a tablespoon of flour. Mix together until the nuts and chocolate are evenly coated.
    • Create a well in the bowl with the flour and pour in the wet ingredients. Mix together until there are no dry spots, but there are still a few lumps. Fold in the pecans and chocolate.
    • Pour the batter into the loaf pan and create a line of sliced banana along the length of the middle of the pan.
    • Bake for about 55 - 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
    • Cool for about 20 minutes, then run a knife between the loaf and the pan, then remove the loaf. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

    Notes

    I recommend Greek nonfat yogurt

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 212kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 6gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 38mgSodium: 159mgFiber: 4gSugar: 23g
    Keyword banana bread, bananas, bread, breakfast, healthy, quick bread, whole wheat
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

     

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    About Amanda Powell

    Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Miranda says

      January 16, 2017 at 1:23 pm

      I love the slices of banana on top! I'm all for healthier recipes to start the year off!

      Reply
    2. Amaryllis @ The Tasty Other says

      January 11, 2017 at 4:27 pm

      Such a great post, Amanda, thanks so much for sharing. Your banana bread looks gorgeous and I love all the 'healthy' tweaks you've made. Most of all, I'm super down with: "everyone has a different definition of healthy. This is healthy for me.". Especially at a time when people left and right look for and give healthy eating advice, I think it's so important to do your homework, check with what works for you and then, possibly, make any changes. Thanks again x

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        January 12, 2017 at 10:46 am

        Yes, I feel like people get so up in arms about their own perceptions of what healthy is. I think it is something that is on a case by case basis on what works for you. This bread isn't healthy for someone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, but it works for me as much as paleo works for someone else. No one is more right than the other. We are all just trying to do what we can to feel good about what we put in our bodies and get through in life. Thank you for stopping by!

        Reply
    3. Denisse Salinas says

      January 10, 2017 at 7:46 pm

      Oh my gosh, this is probably the prettiest banana bread I've ever seen! LOVE the roasted bananas on top, (and the chocolate chips of course)! Bonus that it's better for you!

      Reply
    4. Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says

      January 10, 2017 at 3:58 pm

      Mmmm. Love this. Banana bread is the best and I love that this is healthier! No New Year resolutions for me

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese. While I'm mostly self-taught, I recently received a degree in Food Science!

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