This moist and healthy banana bread recipe is made with creamy yogurt, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
In this Post: Everything you need for Healthy Banana Bread
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:
What is whole wheat pastry flour?
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.
What is the benefit of baking with yogurt?
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.
Can I make this healthy banana bread without yogurt?
Absolutely – just swap out with canola oil or melted coconut oil.
How long will banana bread last in the freezer?
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.
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 1/2 x 4 1/2 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
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Awww what a cutie!! I know how he feels… now I want banana bread too!
Me too!!! I think I need to make more this week. :)
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.
hahah no kidding right???
MMMMmm I have bananas that are just right for this bread!
Yes!! I’m waiting for mine to ripen a bit..I’m craving it now!
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!
So great meeting you too Stephanie!!! The weekend flew by!!
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!
haha – isn’t that photo awesome? I’m really glad I took the photos, despite the meltdown!! xo
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.
That’s hilarious!!
Poor, Asher! I would be the same way if I couldn’t get my mitts on some banana bread!
I love that you said “mitts”!
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 :)
Yes!! She dropped some off and it was consumed in 5 seconds.
I just LOVE banana bread.
I know, I do too. Why is it so perfect?
oh wow that photo is priceless.
Isn’t it awesome? :-)
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.
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.
That picture is PRICELESS. Withdrawl is the worst! :)
You’re so right – withdrawal is exactly what he was experiencing!!
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!
hahaha – Thank you Tieghan!!! He is so cute I can’t stand it sometimes. :)
Ha!!! Oh my goodness. I am so glad you captured that moment.
And…made this banana bread. Sounds wonderful!!
I really am glad I captured it too. I felt badly recording the meltdown but I knew a photo was worth a thousand words. :)
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!
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. ;)
That picture of your son is the best! Hilarious. I hope Aunt Patsy knows her bread has meltdown qualities ;)
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.
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.
It was so funny Dara!! Well, I should say it’s funny looking back now. ;-)
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!
Oh good you will love this version!! Enjoy!
Oh man- that meltdown picture is too cute! Your Aunt’s recipe sound amazing- I’m loving your healthier version too!
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!
hahha – it was a funny moment that’s for sure!! One we will likely never forget. :) Thanks friend! xo