Healthy Banana Bread

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This healthy banana bread recipe is easy to make with a handful of nutritious ingredients like whole wheat flour, applesauce, and Greek yogurt. This whole wheat banana bread is sweetened with honey (no refined sugar) and makes a great breakfast or snack.

a stack of 2 slices of healthy banana bread near another slice

We make banana bread weekly around here, and sometimes I like to take a break from our regular banana bread (which is amazing) and make this healthy banana bread recipe for a more nutritious option (or this Paleo banana bread). 

This healthy banana bread is easy to make with a handful of nutritious ingredients like applesauce, Greek yogurt and whole wheat flour. It is sweetened with honey (no refined sugar) and makes a great breakfast or snack.

overhead photo fo a piece of Healthy Banana Bread with butter

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

Let’s chat about the ingredients in this whole wheat banana bread, as well as possible substitutions. 

overhead photo of the labeled ingredients in this Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
  • Bananas. Make sure your bananas are overripe for the best flavor and maximum sweetness.
  • Honey. Maple syrup is a great substitute for honey, and imparts a delicious maple flavor. 
  • Unsweetened applesauce. Any variety of applesauce works well in this healthy banana bread recipe. 
  • Vanilla greek yogurt. You can use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if you’d prefer, just note that the whole wheat banana bread will be a little less sweet. 
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil, canola oil and ghee all work well as substitutes for salted butter. 
  • Whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour or regular all-purpose flour all can be used in place of whole wheat flour. 
  • Mix-ins. there are so many possible mix-ins that can be added to this healthy banana bread recipe. Chocolate chips, dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, coconut, pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc. 
front view of a loaf of healthy banana bread with 4 slices cut

How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

As always, we’ll walk through how to make healthy banana bread step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video. 

Begin by combining the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt in a medium bowl, then set aside to use later. 

two overhead photos showing How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Next, whisk together the bananas, eggs, vanilla, honey, applesauce, Greek yogurt and melted butter in a large bowl.

two overhead photos showing How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Then, add the dry ingredient mixture and stir until combined, then add mix-ins if desired. This bread is delicious enough to hold it’s own without additions, however my kids never scoff at the idea of adding chocolate to anything! 🙂  

So, if you’d like to add some mix-ins, here are some suggestions: 

  • Chocolate Chips (milk, dark, light, etc.)
  • Walnuts
  • Pecans
  • Cinnamon chips
  • White chocolate chips
  • Blueberries
  • Dried fruit (cranberries, rasins, etc.)
  • Swirl of peanut butter or Nutella 
  • Unsweetened coconut
two overhead photos showing How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Bake & Cool

Pour the healthy banana bread batter into prepared loaf pan and bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out with moist crumbs.

Let the whole wheat banana bread cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

two overhead photos showing How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Serve

Once the bread is cooled enough, cut into slices and enjoy! I suggest serving it with a slather of this cinnamon honey butter, homemade peanut butter or this homemade vanilla almond butter. 

overhead view of a loaf of Healthy Banana Bread with 3 slices cut out

Store

Store this healthy banana bread recipe in an airtight container or plastic bag to ensure it does not dry out. If you plan on eating the entire loaf in a day or two, feel free to store it at room temperature. If it will take longer, I recommend storing it in the refrigerator. 

Freeze

This healthy banana bread freezes very well. I recommend freezing it in slices in an airtight container! That way you can pull out a slice at a time to enjoy! 

front view of a loaf of Healthy Banana Bread with two slices cut out of it

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe FAQs

Are my bananas ripe enough to make banana bread? 

Make sure you use overripe, brown bananas! They have the best flavor, maximum sweetness, and are the easiest to mash! They should be very dark brown or almost black and soft to the touch! 

Can you freeze banana bread?

This healthy banana bread freezes very well. I recommend freezing it in slices in an airtight container! That way you can pull out a slice at a time to enjoy! 

slice of Healthy Banana Bread cut in half

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Healthy Banana Bread

Laura
This healthy banana bread recipe is easy to make with a handful of nutritious ingredients like whole wheat flour, applesauce, and Greek yogurt. This whole wheat banana bread is sweetened with honey (no refined sugar) and makes a great breakfast or snack.
5 from 10 votes
Course bread, Breakfast, brunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 194
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Total Time1 hour

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9×5” Loaf pan, set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt, set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine bananas, eggs, vanilla, honey, applesauce, Greek yogurt and melted butter. Stir until mixture is uniform throughout.
  • Add dry ingredients and stir until combined and there are no lumps.
  • If desired, add mix-ins.
  • Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out with moist crumbs.
  • Let cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes.
  • Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions
  • Bananas. Make sure your bananas are overripe for the best flavor and maximum sweetness.
  • Honey. Maple syrup is a great substitute for honey, and adds a little extra maple flavor. 
  • Unsweetened applesauce. Any variety of applesauce works well in this healthy banana bread recipe. 
  • Vanilla greek yogurt. You can use plain Greek yogurt or sour cream if you’d prefer, just note that the whole wheat banana bread will be a little less sweet. 
  • Salted butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil, canola oil and ghee all work well as substitutes for salted butter. 
  • Whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour, whole wheat pastry flour or regular all-purpose flour all can be used in place of whole wheat flour. 
  • Mix-ins. there are so many possible mix-ins that can be added to this healthy banana bread recipe. Chocolate chips, dried cranberries, raisins, dried cherries, coconut, pecans, walnuts, almonds, etc. 
Store
Store this healthy banana bread recipe in an airtight container or plastic bag to ensure it does not dry out for up to 3 days at room temperature, or 1 week in the refrigerator.
Freeze
This healthy banana bread freezes very well. I recommend freezing it in slices in an airtight container! That way you can pull out a slice at a time to enjoy! 

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 194kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

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5 from 10 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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8 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love this recipe!!!! I usually add some ground flax seed and do as muffins! It makes a full dozen regular muffins and a dozen mini muffins! Very portable and great for school snacks if you avoid adding nuts!

  2. 5 stars
    I made this bread today and it is delicious!! I love that it has healthy ingredients, although it tastes just as good as regular banana bread.