Description
This Healthy Banana Bread recipe features whole wheat flour and natural sweeteners, creating a moist, flavorful loaf that’s perfect for breakfast or a wholesome snack. With warm spices and simple ingredients, it’s an easy-to-make treat that balances nutrition and taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour (fluffed, spooned and leveled; or weigh out 230g)
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional: a dash of nutmeg and ground cloves for more warm spices)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1.5 cups mashed banana
- ⅓ cup oil or melted butter (ghee or coconut oil recommended)
- ½ cup mild honey or maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prep: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 5×9-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Gather and prepare all ingredients.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until evenly combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large measuring jug or bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly until smooth with no large chunks. Whisk in the oil or melted butter, honey or maple syrup, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and glossy.
- Combine Batter: Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and gently fold together with a spatula just until no dry flour remains. Do not overmix; a few small lumps in the batter are preferable. Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 45–55 minutes. The banana bread is done when the center is set and a toothpick or skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, lift the bread out using the parchment overhang and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow to cool completely for 20–30 minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For fluffier texture, properly measure and fluff the whole wheat flour before spooning and leveling the cup.
- Ensure bananas are well mashed to avoid uneven texture in the bread.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
- Cooling the bread fully improves slicing and flavor development.
