Easy Healthy Banana Bread

Name: Easy Healthy Banana Bread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Ingredients: 3 large overripe bananas; 3 eggs; 1/2 cup peanut butter; 3/4 cup oat flour; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 tsp baking soda; Pinch of salt; Optional:; 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder; 1 tsp vanilla; 2 tbsp desiccated coconut, walnuts and sesame seeds; 1 ripe banana ((sliced in half length wise))

This banana bread bake up in under an hour and uses a handful of wholesome ingredients. Quick and easy sweet treat to make when you want a fluffy and delicious snack or dessert.

This bread is fluffy, she’s got a crunch on top but tender crumb. The beauty about it is we don’t need much to bake it. Ingredients and equipment are simple making this recipe very approached for level of baker. It is a fantastic sweet treat to have on hand when you want a nutritious snack during the week or a slice on the go to work as well.

To be honest, this is a recipe I have been sitting on for a while. I was pushed to publish it because of my best friend who never baked on her own before and recently started baking as she got her very first oven (congratulations Natasha!). She asked me for a recipe that is easy on the ingredients and method but most importantly, it had to be delicious. It shouldn’t taste “healthy” aka taste like cardboard. I immediately knew this was the recipe for her. Might I say she made it and you can watch her experience of baking it here but she loved it. Which pushed me to share it with you as I am positive you would love it too.

Is banana bread healthy or unhealthy?

Before I get into the recipe, I think it is important to mention that the reason I say this recipe is “healthy” is because the ingredients used are high in nutrition making it more wholesome with no refined sugar or flour. Usually banana bread recipes call for butter, sugar, eggs, flour and bananas (minimum) but this recipe doesn’t use any refined ingredients. In saying this, if you decide to consume an entire loaf in one sitting it will turn out to be unhealthy as too much of anything is not good for you. Now that I have covered this lets get to it.

What equipment do you need to make this Easy Healthy Banana Bread?

We need a large bowl to mash the bananas with a fork and mix the batter. I have used a blender to make my oat flour. The recipe bakes well in a 9 inch loaf tin that is lined with baking paper. A brush to oil the tin is optional but makes it less messy.

What ingredients do you need to make this Easy Healthy Banana Bread?

Ripe bananas –

The bananas HAVE to be overripe. It makes the bread tender and soft but also adds natural sweetness. If you don’t have over ripe bananas you can microwave them for 20 second intervals with the skin on until soft and mushy. I have made this same recipe with pumpkin puree and sweet potato puree which also works well.

Eggs –

The eggs help bind the batter but also adds protein to the bread. There is no substitute for it as the recipe calls for very few ingredients hence this cannot be substituted.

Peanut butter –

I like the flavor of banana and peanuts. You can use almond butter, tahini or any other nut/sedd butter you like.

Oat flour –

Oat flour is simply, oats blended into a fine powder. You can use gluten free oats to make this banana bread gluten free.

Add ons –

You can add chocolate chips, berries, nuts, dessciated coconut or dried fruit to your bread. I have left my bread simple. I have added vanilla extract and cinnamon powder but you can leave it out or add any spices of your choice.

How to make this Easy Healthy Banana Bread?

Preheat the oven to 180℃. Line a 9 inch loaf tin but brushing the inside with oil and adding a piece of baking paper at the bottom. Let it hang over the sides as it will make it easier to remove from the tin later. In a large mixing bowl mash the bananas with a fork until its a pulp. Add the eggs and stir. Add vanilla and stir. Add the peanut butter and stir to combine. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and if you are adding any add ons, now would be the time t add them, stir well. Pour the mixture into the tin and bake at 180℃ for 30-35 mins until it has risen, the top is golden, knife poked into the center comes out clean or a few crumbs is fine too. Let it cool before slicing and serving.

How long to store this Easy Healthy Banana Bread?

I slice up the bread and place them in a zip log bag, transfer to a freezer and it stores well for over 2 months. When ready to eat, take out a slice and you have two options here: 1.Microwave it for 30-45 seconds until warm or 2.Place it in the toaster until warm and crispy. I prefer the toaster. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey and enjoy. You can store it in the fridge for a week in a Nair tight container.

If you like this recipe check out my Healthy Banana Muffins recipe, Banana nut waffles and my homemade peanut butter recipe. Now that we have covered how to make this Easy Healthy Banana Bread, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.