This moist and healthy banana bread recipe is made with creamy yogurt, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Like most moms of littles, I always have bananas on hand for smoothies, oatmeal, snacking, and more. As such, inevitably we usually end up with leftover ripe bananas just begging to be turned into loaves of bread, muffins, or bars.
Whenever I bake from scratch, I like to find ways to boost the overall nutrition of the baked good. As such, I’m going to share a few simple steps I take to create a healthier, lighter banana bread recipe that is still perfectly moist and delicious.
To start, I love using overly ripe bananas which are naturally super sweet. This eliminates the need for more added sugar than you really need. Another tip is to swap out traditional all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour. You can purchase it in most large grocery stores or online.
Frequently asked questions:
Whole Wheat Pastry Flour is 100% stone ground from the finest soft white wheat. Additionally, it has a lower protein content than regular whole wheat flour and it makes wonderfully tender wholegrain baked goods like pie crust, muffins, quick breads, pastries and cookies, yet it still retains the nutrients of the bran and germ.
Baking with yogurt adds a creaminess that helps keep baked goods moist. The tanginess creates a crave-worthy, old-fashioned flavor. Additionally, the acidity in yogurt helps activate baking soda, which can make baked goods fluffy and light. It can step in for sour cream, mayonnaise, or crème fraîche, creating the same tangy mouth-feel with less guilt.
Absolutely – just swap out with canola oil or melted coconut oil.
You can store banana bread wrapped in plastic wrap and keep air-tight in a plastic bag in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To serve, I love topping it with a little creamy peanut butter but it’s honestly so delicious on its own you won’t need it!
Your family is waiting.
📖 Recipe
Healthy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour
- ½ cup flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons room temperature butter unsalted
- ¾ cup brown sugar packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 ripe bananas mashed
- ⅓ cup plain low fat yogurt
- ½ cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8 ½ x 4 ½ inch bread pan with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer over medium-high speed until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce stand mixer speed to low and slowly add the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla, mashed bananas, and yogurt. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down sides and increase speed to medium until ingredients are blended.
- With the mixer still running, slowly add the dry ingredients until they are all added. Scrape down the sides one last time ensuring that the wet and dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Remove bowl from the stand mixer and stir in the walnuts.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bread pan and bake for one hour or until toothpick comes out smooth. Cool completely before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
Want more delicious recipes? Head over to Pinterest!
Corry Oosterhouse
Liz, love the picture of your Asher!! He’s sure grown a lot since then!???????? I love this healthier version of banana bread!! Could you tell me where I can get WW pastry flour in the GR, Grandville area? Meijer’s doesn’t have it! And how is the move into your new house going??
Austin
Hi! I’m making banana bread tomorrow and this’ll be the first time I’ll be making a whole wheat version of it. My problem tho, is that there is no available WW pastry flour here in my area. I read that doing a half-and-half is a good substitute (1 cup APF, 1 cup WWF), is that okay?
Liz DellaCroce
Yes that’s a perfect substitute!!! Let me know how it turns out!
Laura
How can I add this to my recipe box? Having a hard time being able to add recipes to my box. HELP!
Liz DellaCroce
Do you see the Save button? That’s all it should take! Does it not work?
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh goodness, that photo of your boy is too funny! This looks delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
haha Thank you friend!!
Julie @ Table for Two
That is the most adorable photo and the banana bread looks pretty great too!
Liz DellaCroce
hahaha Isn’t he a ham? Thank you Julie!
Kirsten@FarmFreshFeasts
Liz,
How adorable is your son?! It *is* hard to walk when you’re having a melt down, you’ve nailed that one. It’s been years since my kids were that stage, but your words brought it all right back.
How lovely to live within walking distance of your family!
Liz DellaCroce
Awww thank you!! It really is hard work to walk – haha. xo
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking
Haha, your son! Too funny (and very cute in a very sad way). This bread looks terrific, and I love that it’s 100% whole wheat!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! The key is whole wheat pastry flour – best of both worlds!! Thank you. :)
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
That is too cute, Liz! Your little guy clearly has great taste in food :)
Liz DellaCroce
I know right?? Thank you Kelli!
Ashley
This looks lovely. I’ve never used date sugar before!
Megan {Country Cleaver}
I get so scared of whole wheat flours and baking – but I haven’t tried it with whole wheat PASTRY flour before. I’m totally giving this a go, because it looks perfectly divine!
Liz DellaCroce
My life completely changed when I discovered whole wheat PASTRY flour!! It is all I use when I bake (or make pancakes.) Another good one is white whole wheat flour. You don’t notice a difference from white flour but you still get the nutrients and fiber that are stripped from processed bleached white flour. You get that and I’ll get the cake flour – haha.
Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes
Omigosh, I hate to giggle at anyone who is mid-meltdown, but that photograph is just priceless – probably the most adorable meltdown I’ve ever seen! And I just love this quick bread recipe, Liz! It sounds positively delicious and just so SATISFYING!
Liz DellaCroce
hahaha – I know I felt badly too but it was just too funny not to laugh!!!! :)
Patsy
Oh, no! I bet you don’t make that mistake again! I’m sure her banana bread is pretty amazing, but the lightened version is what I’m more likely to make as well!
Liz DellaCroce
When I walk by her house now I go really fast and distract him – hahah.
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Love the photo of your son! What a great memory you captured!
I could go for a couple of slices of that delicious looking banana bread right now!
Liz DellaCroce
I could too! I need to remember to freeze a second loaf next time.
Sandy@ReluctantEntertainer
This is my favorite thing to have on hand when people drop in for a quick visit. I have a similar recipe. So good!
Liz DellaCroce
I need to start freezing it!! I want it now. :(
Laurie {SimplyScratch}
Awww what a cutie!! I know how he feels… now I want banana bread too!
Liz DellaCroce
Me too!!! I think I need to make more this week. :)
The Candid RD
Banana bread so good that it’s worth a tantrum?! Sign-me up! Thanks for the recipe!
Cute photo btw, and I’m SO GLAD camera phones weren’t around when I was young….boy oh boy I can still remember some of my classic tantrum moments.
Liz DellaCroce
hahah no kidding right???
Sheila
MMMMmm I have bananas that are just right for this bread!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! I’m waiting for mine to ripen a bit..I’m craving it now!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Oh bahahahaha I LOVE this. What a cutie ;)
Also, that banana bread looks amazing. Good thing I’ve got some bananas waiting to be used up so I don’t have to wait long to make this.
PS So wonderful to meet you this weekend!
Liz DellaCroce
So great meeting you too Stephanie!!! The weekend flew by!!
ashley - baker by nature
That picture of your little guy has me cracking up, Liz!!! Kids are so funny. But hey – who doesn’t want some banana bread/ aunti love?! Your loaf looks great!
Liz DellaCroce
haha – isn’t that photo awesome? I’m really glad I took the photos, despite the meltdown!! xo
SinoSoul
Ugh. Happened yesterday cuz someone wanted TJ’s “green juice”. I put his arse in the corner til he STFU. Not putting up with that kind of “foodie” shenanigans. My momma raised us on milk powder and white rice.
Liz DellaCroce
That’s hilarious!!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
Poor, Asher! I would be the same way if I couldn’t get my mitts on some banana bread!
Liz DellaCroce
I love that you said “mitts”!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
OMG Liz, that picture is priceless!!!! Did Aunt Patsy also bake him some banana bread when she heard about this meltdown? I would have, lol! How cute :)
Liz DellaCroce
Yes!! She dropped some off and it was consumed in 5 seconds.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
I just LOVE banana bread.
Liz DellaCroce
I know, I do too. Why is it so perfect?
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
oh wow that photo is priceless.
Liz DellaCroce
Isn’t it awesome? :-)
Cathy Pollak ~ Noble Pig
Date sugar, never heard of that, that sounds interesting. And I am just cracking up about your son, I would do the same thing if I were him. We too love banana bread over here, I add coconut to mine and it keeps it super moist. Have you ever stayed at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki where a cute little Hawaiian lady delivers banana bread to your room in the evening? Yeah…I’m in love with that tradition.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh my God – she delivers banana bread to your room every night? That is by far the most amazing thing I’ve ever heard of in my life!! Reminds me of Cancun where a precious Mexican man walks the beaches every day with fresh mango slices seasoned with lime juice and salt. It was the highlight of every day – haha. Great idea on the coconut!!! Date sugar is something I had on hand from a detox I did where you couldn’t use real sugar. It’s less processed and tasty but not a mandatory ingredient of course.
Courtney @ Neighborfood
That picture is PRICELESS. Withdrawl is the worst! :)
Liz DellaCroce
You’re so right – withdrawal is exactly what he was experiencing!!
Tieghan
He is so cute, even if he was screaming! LOL
Love this bread Liz it looks and sound delicious and I love anything with bananas!
Liz DellaCroce
hahaha – Thank you Tieghan!!! He is so cute I can’t stand it sometimes. :)
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
Ha!!! Oh my goodness. I am so glad you captured that moment.
And…made this banana bread. Sounds wonderful!!
Liz DellaCroce
I really am glad I captured it too. I felt badly recording the meltdown but I knew a photo was worth a thousand words. :)
Julia
Oh my gosh I love that photo! I mean I do feel bad for the little guy but sometimes the things they melt down about are just funny! My son has started a lot of those meltdowns lately–terrible twos is fast approaching!! I can see why he was sad…who wouldn’t want a piece of that banana bread? Yum!
Liz DellaCroce
I know – I seriously wanted to laugh so hard but at the same time wanted him to stop melting down – LOL!! Oh terrible twos…can’t wait. ;)
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
That picture of your son is the best! Hilarious. I hope Aunt Patsy knows her bread has meltdown qualities ;)
Liz DellaCroce
I sent her the photos as well as the video and she loved it – felt badly but was cracking up at the same time. :) I hope my food makes a toddler cry one day – hahah.
Cookin Canuck
Too funny! I love the vision of him crawling up the driveway for a slice of his beloved banana bread. Your whole wheat version is right up my alley.
Liz DellaCroce
It was so funny Dara!! Well, I should say it’s funny looking back now. ;-)
Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon
Yum! We love banana bread too and I’m always hunting for a healthier version. I have ripe bananas just waiting to be turned into this! Thanks for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh good you will love this version!! Enjoy!
Audra | The Baker Chick
Oh man- that meltdown picture is too cute! Your Aunt’s recipe sound amazing- I’m loving your healthier version too!
Aggie
Oh Asher, what a funny moment to capture (now ;) ). That boy wanted his aunt patsy and banana bread!!!! So cute.
I love banana bread, and I can bake this kind of stuff. Have been wanting to lately too funny you post. Great recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
hahha – it was a funny moment that’s for sure!! One we will likely never forget. :) Thanks friend! xo