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A freshly baked loaf of the best healthy banana bread, golden brown and perfectly sliced.

The Best Healthy Banana Bread

This recipe yields a deliciously moist and flavorful banana bread, made with healthier ingredients like whole wheat flour and maple syrup. It's perfect for breakfast, a snack, or even dessert.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 10 slices
Calories 220 kcal

Equipment

  • oven
  • loaf pan
  • large bowl
  • fork
  • wire rack

Ingredients
  

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 large, very ripe bananas
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey adjust to your sweetness preference
  • 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or unsweetened applesauce for an even lighter version
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour or a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon optional, but highly recommended for warmth
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins

  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans), chocolate chips, or dried fruit

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x5 inch loaf pan by greasing and flouring it, or lining with parchment paper.
  • In a large bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas with a fork until mostly smooth, leaving a few small lumps for texture.
  • Add eggs, maple syrup (or honey), melted coconut oil (or applesauce), and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas, then whisk until well combined.
  • In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, baking soda, cinnamon (if using), and salt.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • If desired, gently fold in your chosen nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit into the batter.

Baking & Cooling

  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spread evenly, and bake for 50-65 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Cool the banana bread in the pan on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on the wire rack before slicing to prevent it from falling apart.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider toasting the nuts before adding them to the batter. This banana bread is delicious on its own, but also great with a smear of nut butter or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.