• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

JoyFoodSunshine

Recipes for real life.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • YouTube

Search

  • Home
  • About
    • About Laura
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Moments
    • Pregnancy/Baby
      • Baby Registry List
      • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Shop
    • Kitchen Tools (Must Haves)
    • Pantry Staples (Baking & Smoothie Making)
    • Food Photography Essentials
    • Baby Registry List
    • Thriving Postpartum: What to Expect & Postpartum Essentials for Mom
  • Instagram
You are here: Home / Bread / Healthy Banana Bread

Healthy Banana Bread

Last updated on January 1, 2021. Originally published January 2, 2021 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe

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.

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

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. 

  • 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. 

overhead photo of the ingredients in this Healthy Banana Bread Recipe

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. 

Combine dry ingredients

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and sea salt, then set aside to use later. 

two overhead photos showing How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Combine wet ingredients

In a large bowl, combine bananas, eggs, vanilla, honey, applesauce, Greek yogurt and melted butter. Stir until mixture is uniform throughout.

two overhead photos showing How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Add dry ingredients & mix-ins

Next, 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! 🙂  

Healthy Banana Bread: Mix-ins

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

Enjoy

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. 

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. 

How to 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! 

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

If you like this healthy banana bread recipe, you’ll love these!

  • We love banana bread around here – try our classic banana bread, Paleo banana bread, and this chocolate chip banana bread. 
  • Muffins too – try these banana muffins (the BEST), spinach banana muffins (reader favorite), and these paleo banana zucchini muffins. 
  • These are the fluffiest banana pancakes ever! And you have to try these banana oatmeal pancakes!
  • More quick breads to try – the best pumpkin bread (or this paleo pumpkin bread) and the best zucchini bread!

slice of Healthy Banana Bread cut in half

IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING FROM JOYFOODSUNSHINE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS! DON’T FORGET TO RATE THIS RECIPE AND LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW! ALSO, FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND  TWITTER FOR MORE RECIPE INSPIRATION AND A GLIMPSE INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIFE!

Healthy Banana Bread
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Healthy Banana Bread

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.
Course bread, Breakfast, brunch, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword healthy banana bread, healthy banana bread recipe, whole wheat banana bread
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 194kcal
Author Laura

Equipment

  • glass batter bowl
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups
  • spatula
  • 9x5" loaf pan
  • cake tester

Ingredients

  • 4 overripe bananas mashed (about 1 ½ cups)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup honey (or maple syrup)
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup salted butter melted
  • 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 TBS ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 cup mix-ins optional: chocolate chips nuts, dried fruit, coconut, etc.
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x5” 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.

To 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

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

 

You might also like:

Fudgy Paleo Brownies (Video)
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Asian Quinoa Salad with Peanut Dressing

Filed Under: Bread, Breakfast, Healthy Recipes, Recipe Videos, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: banana bread, bread, breakfast, snack

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

Previous Post: « Moments 12.2020
Next Post: Chia Pudding Recipe »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer

    January 9, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    5 stars
    This turned out perfectly! I love how it has no refined sugar but kids cant tell the difference!

    Reply
  2. Athena

    January 6, 2021 at 11:56 am

    Hi Laura, is there any substitute for apple sauce here? It is not common in Asian countries. TIA!

    Reply
    • Carla

      January 17, 2021 at 1:52 pm

      Make your own. In a steamer put your apples cut in 4 without seeds or core. Steam for 5 minutes. Blend.

      Reply
  3. Chastity

    January 5, 2021 at 5:43 pm

    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.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

About Laura

 

Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

Let’s Be Friends!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up to Receive Weekly Emails!

Popular Recipes

Easy Homemade Vegetable Soup

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon

Pumpkin Smoothie Recipe

Easy Homemade Mac and Cheese (Stovetop)

Homemade Pizza Sauce (Video)

Easy Homemade Pizza Sauce Recipe (5- Minutes)!

Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

Copyright © 2021 JoyFoodSunshine.com
134shares