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Healthy Banana Bread

Liz DellaCroce Avatar

LIZ DELLA CROCE

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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, waffles or bars.

Whenever I bake from scratch, I like to find ways to boost the overall nutrition of the baked good. Whether it’s a blueberry yogurt bread, strawberry oatmeal muffins or chocolate chip zucchini bread, I love finding ways to make baked goods more nutritious. As such, I’m going to share a few simple steps I take to create a healthy 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.

Whole Wheat Healthy Banana Bread

4.07 stars average
This moist and healthy banana bread recipe is made with creamy yogurt, crunchy walnuts, and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
CourseBaked Goods, Breakfast
Serves14

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
  • cup plain low fat yogurt
  • ½ cup walnuts chopped

Instructions
 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spray an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch bread pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together whole wheat pastry flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt.
  3. Cream butter and sugar in a stand mixer over medium-high speed until smooth, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Remove bowl from the stand mixer and stir in the walnuts.
  7. 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

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 28.3gProtein: 4.1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5.5gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 167mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 14.9g

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

Want more delicious recipes? Head over to Pinterest!


4.07 from 15 votes (12 ratings without comment)

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47 responses to “Healthy Banana Bread”

  1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    When I walk by her house now I go really fast and distract him – hahah.

  2. Meagan @ Scarletta Bakes Avatar
    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!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      hahaha – I know I felt badly too but it was just too funny not to laugh!!!! :)

  3. Laurie {SimplyScratch} Avatar
    Laurie {SimplyScratch}

    Awww what a cutie!! I know how he feels… now I want banana bread too!

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      Me too!!! I think I need to make more this week. :)

  4. The Candid RD Avatar
    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      hahah no kidding right???

  5. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    haha – isn’t that photo awesome? I’m really glad I took the photos, despite the meltdown!! xo

  6. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    Yes!! She dropped some off and it was consumed in 5 seconds.

  7. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    I love that you said “mitts”!

  8. SinoSoul Avatar
    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      That’s hilarious!!

  9. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    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. :)

  10. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
    Liz DellaCroce

    hahaha – Thank you Tieghan!!! He is so cute I can’t stand it sometimes. :)