How to Make Moist, Delicious and Healthy Banana Bread At Home?

Delicious and healthy banana bread. Photo: Food Network

Delicious healthy banana bread made with whole wheat flour, protein packed greek yogurt and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. Made in one bowl, easy to make and perfect for brunch or snacking. Everyone loves this healthy banana bread recipe because it can easily be made into muffins, too!

Here is the best recipe ever for you:

Ingredients for healthy banana bread

This healthy banana bread is the perfect recipe to try out because not only is is simple and easy to make, but it’s also nourishing and SO delicious, as cited by Ambitious Kitchen. It's perfect to have a slice for breakfast with almond butter and a little sea salt on top. Here are the ingredients you need:

Overripe bananas: this recipe calls for using overripe bananas, meaning the bananas that have tons of brown spots.

Photo: eMediHealth

Eggs: two eggs are best in this recipe for a banana bread that’s dense, yet still fluffy.

Pure maple syrup: I prefer this all natural sweetener. Do not use honey as it causes the bread to brown too quickly as honey is prone to burning.

Greek yogurt: for moisture and a boost of protein. I suggest using whole milk plain or vanilla greek yogurt or 2% for best results.

Vanilla extract: a touch of vanilla makes such a difference. If you’re all out, feel free to use a splash of bourbon instead.

Whole wheat pastry flour: this is a favorite flour of mine for baking whole grain treats. Many of you ask about whole wheat pastry flour, and basically it’s just a lighter, finer version of regular whole wheat flour, still with all the nutritional benefits of whole grain flour. If you can’t find whole wheat pastry flour, we suggest using 1 cup all purpose flour and 3/4 cup whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour also works too!

Baking soda: this helps the bread rise and create the perfect texture.

Cinnamon: a dash of cinnamon for cozy flavor.

Salt: to boost flavor!

Butter: It's prefered to use melted butter in this recipe because it yields the best flavor and results. However, olive oil, coconut oil or vegan butter will also work. Browned butter would also be delicious!

Walnuts + chocolate chips: both optional, but highly recommended!

Instructions

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch pan with parchment paper and grease the inside of the pan to prevent sticking.

Step 2:

In a large bowl mix together the mashed banana, eggs, maple syrup, greek yogurt and vanilla extract to a bowl until well combined.

Step 3:

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix!

Step 4:

Next, mix in the melted and cooled butter (or coconut oil). At this point you can fold in an of the following: ½ cup chopped walnuts or ½ cup chocolate chips (or both!).

Step 5:

Add banana bread batter into prepared pan. Optional but not required: split a banana down the middle vertically then add on top of the batter or just add banana slices on top, side by side.

Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a tester inserted into the middle comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Allow bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove and transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Step 6:

Once bread is cool, cut into 12 slices. Serve with nut butter spread on top for a healthy snack or breakfast on the go.

Photo: Greatist

Tips for making delicious and healthy banana bread

Here are some of best tips for ensuring your banana bread comes out perfect:

1. Follow the recipe. The best way to ensure the success of this healthy banana bread is to follow the recipe and use the exact ingredients as written.

2. Use overripe bananas. Using bananas that have LOTS AND LOTS of brown spots and are very soft will help keep this banana bread both sweet, perfectly moist and delicious. Trust me.

3. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. If your eggs are too cold you risk the butter coagulating. To bring your eggs to room temp, simply place them in a bowl of warm water for 3-5 minutes before you use them.

4. Use whole milk or 2% greek yogurt. Yogurt with a little more fat helps to keep the moisture in this banana bread. If you like a sweeter banana bread, you can use vanilla greek yogurt. If you don’t have yogurt, feel free to sub sour cream!

5. Use fresh baking soda. If your baking soda is older than 3 months, I suggest grabbing a new one for best baking results.

6. Don’t overmix the batter. Over-mixing the batter will create a tough banana bread. You only need to mix until the ingredients are just combined.

7. Try it the next day. Banana bread is always best the day after it’s baked, as the sugars release the bread gets sweeter!

Customize your banana bread

You can easily make them your own with fun add-ins. Here are a few suggestions:

Walnuts & chocolate chips: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts + 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Blueberry banana: 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Pecan coconut: 1/2 cup chopped pecans + 1/2 cup shredded coconut

Espresso dark chocolate: 1 teaspoon espresso powder + 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

How to store banana bread

This banana bread should be kept well-covered in foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days, then it's recommended transferring to the fridge or freezer.

Photo: Good Housekeeping

How to freeze banana bread

This healthy banana bread bread freezes well! Simply wrap in plastic, then tightly in foil and finally place in a reusable bag or freezer friendly bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature once you are ready to eat. You can also feel free to freeze individual slices for a quick on the go treat.

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