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!
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.