Healthy Banana Bread is soft, fluffy and moist. It is golden on the outside and packed full of sweet banana flavor on the inside.
I have had a soft spot for banana bread for as long as I can remember. My mom used to bake banana bread when I was a kid and I remember loving the smell of the bread as it was baking. I couldn't wait to dig in to it and cut the first slice but mom had a rule.... we couldn't eat the banana bread until the next day so the crust would be soft and moist. She would wrap it in plastic wrap and foil and let it sit overnight to soften the crust. I have to admit I prefer my banana bread this way but I also enjoy it with the slightly crunchy crust right after it comes out of the oven.
Mom's banana bread was delicious but she used a whopping one cup of granulated sugar in her recipe as well as butter. Healthy Banana Bread is a lightened up version of one of my favorite childhood snacks. With no butter, oil or refined sugar it makes a great snack at any time of day.
If you are looking for other healthy baking recipes, try my Healthy Zucchini Raisin Muffins or Blueberry Scones.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour - I used all-purpose flour for this recipe. I have not tried any other type of flour in this recipe.
- Baking Soda - Helps the bread to rise.
- Baking Powder - Helps to give the banana bread that fluffy cake like texture.
- Mashed Bananas - Make sure to use overripe bananas....the ones with the brown spots on them.
- Eggs - Helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Greek Yogurt - I used plain 0%, no sugar added Greek yogurt.
- Maple Syrup - Adds some sweetness to the bread.
- Milk - I used skim milk for this recipe.
- Vanilla - Adds a little extra flavor.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. I like to use an olive oil cooking spray.
In a medium size bowl, add flour, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
In a large bowl, add mashed bananas, eggs, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, milk and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
Using a spatula, fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold until the flour mixture is incorporated and there are no lumps in the batter.
Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into 12 slices.
Hint: Make sure to grease the loaf pan before pouring in the batter. The bread will stick if you do not grease the pan.
Substitutions
- Greek Yogurt - I used plain, 0% no sugar added Greek yogurt. You can substitute with 2% or higher or varieties with added sugar. Keep in mind the muffins will be sweeter if you choose a Greek yogurt with added sugars.
- Maple Syrup- Liquid honey can be substituted for the maple syrup.
- Milk - I used skim milk for this recipe. You can substitute the skim milk with any other type of plant based or non plant based milk.
Equipment
9x5 Non-stick Metal Loaf Pan - I used a 9x5 non-stick metal loaf pan for this recipe. The baking time will change if you use a different size pan.
Storage
Healthy Banana Bread can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or bag for up to three days.
Healthy Banana Bread freezes well. Wrap bread slices in plastic wrap before placing in a freezer safe container or bag. Freeze up to three months. Thaw bread slices at room temperature when ready to eat.
Top tip
Do not overbake the banana bread. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you overbake the bread, it will be dry. I recommend checking the bread at 50 minutes.
FAQ
Yes! The riper the banana the better. Look for little brown spots on the bananas. Overripe bananas are sweeter and they are easier to mash up.
You have overbaked the banana bread. Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Yes! One slice has only 111 calories and 1 gram of fat so be sure to enjoy an extra slice.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Recipe
Healthy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup mashed bananas
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt plain, 0% no sugar added
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9x5 loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray. I like to use an olive oil cooking spray.
- In a medium size bowl, add flour, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
- In a large bowl, add mashed bananas, eggs, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, milk and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
- Using a spatula, fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Fold until the flour mixture is incorporated and there are no lumps in the batter.
- Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Cut into 12 slices.
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