Description
This Healthy Banana Bread recipe offers a wholesome twist on a classic favorite by using whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners, and ripe bananas. Moist, flavorful, and packed with warm spices, it’s perfect for breakfast, snacks, or a guilt-free dessert.
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: add 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. Prepare all your ingredients so they are ready to use.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl or measuring jug, mash the bananas thoroughly to a smooth consistency without 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 ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold gently with a spatula just until no visible dry flour remains. A few small lumps are okay and help to keep the bread tender. Be careful not to overmix the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the center is set and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the middle comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then lift it out by the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack. Allow to cool another 20–30 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- For best results, fluff and spoon the whole wheat flour when measuring or weigh it to ensure accuracy and avoid dense bread.
- Mash the bananas thoroughly to avoid large chunks and ensure even moisture distribution.
- Folding gently helps maintain the bread’s tenderness and prevents it from becoming tough due to overmixing.
- Oven temperatures may vary, so start checking your bread around the 45-minute mark to prevent overbaking.
- Allowing the bread to cool fully before slicing keeps it from crumbling and helps develop flavor.
