Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Tammy Overhoff

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Is banana bread healthy? This healthy banana bread recipe is and it’s the best you’ll ever eat! Made with sweet ripe bananas, a touch of cinnamon, and other delicious, wholesome ingredients. And, it only uses one bowl-so less cleanup for you!

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (1)

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Out of all the banana recipes I’ve shared on Organize Yourself Skinny, this healthy banana bread recipe is my favorite. I’ve made it hundreds of times! Anytime I have ripe bananas, this homemade banana bread is on the menu.

Reasons you’ll love this Recipe

  • Prepared with healthier ingredients. Ripe bananas create a delicious sweet and moist banana bread reducing the need for extra sugar, only a small amount of coconut sugar. White whole wheat flour is swap in place of all purpose flour for extra whole grains and fiber, and Greek yogurt adds protein along with moisture.
  • This easy banana bread recipe with yogurt comes together quickly using simple ingredients and one bowl. All of the pantry ingredients go into one bowl for easy preparation and clean up
  • The most delicious banana bread. Each slice is moist and filled with banana flavor! Trust me; your entire family will light up when the smell of banana bread is in the air.
  • It can be made ahead of time and frozen. Go ahead and make a few loaves to slice up and freeze for a quick healthy snack to grab as you’re running out the door.

Ingredients

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (2)

Alright, let’s get to this recipe! Here is a list of ingredients you will need to make homemade banana bread with yogurt:

  • Mashed bananas. Remember, the riper the banana is, the sweeter and more moist the banana bread will be.
  • Plain Greek yogurt. My favorite Greek yogurt brands are Chobani, fa*ge, and Sigi’s.
  • Unsalted butter creates a delicious tender, fluffy, and moist banana bread.
  • Large eggs to give structure to the bread and help it rise.
  • Pure vanilla extract for extra flavor.
  • Coconut sugar is an unrefined sugar that gives the banana bread a deliciously sweet caramel like flavor. It’s my new favorite sweetener to use in baked goods.
  • White whole-wheat flour creates a wholesome nutritious banana bread.
  • Flaxseed meal for extra fiber and nutrition.
  • Baking soda to help the bread bread rise.
  • Cinnamon for a perfect warm flavor.

Thrive Market is an online natural and organic grocery store where I purchase many specialty, gluten-free, or organic baking items. They offer many of the same products found at Whole Foods but at lower prices. If you want to learn more, then read my Thrive Market Review.

Supplies

  • Bread Pan – I’ve owned this Wilton bread pan for years; it’s a favorite.
  • Mixing Bowls – This set of Pyrex mixing bowls are inexpensive and get the job done.
  • Cooling Racks – this is a nice set.
  • Hand mixer – this is the one I have from Cuisinart.
  • Whisk – If I don’t use a hand mixer, I’ll use a whisk to blend all the ingredients. I love this OXO whisk set.

How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (3)
  • I mix the eggs, mashed banana, Greek yogurt, and melted butter into a bowl. The recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of banana, usually 3-4 bananas depending on the size I’ve also used 1/3 cup melted coconut oil in place of the butter, which works too!
  • To mix it up, I used a hand mixer.
  • Here’s where the one-bowl recipe comes into play. Instead of mixing the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then mixing it with the wet ingredients, I placed all the dry ingredients on the wet.
  • Now, mix it up again. You don’t want to over mix because that causes the bread to get tough. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet.
  • Pour the bread batter into a standard loaf pan.
  • Bake in a 350 oven for 55 minutes. The cooking time can vary slightly depending on your oven. My advice is to insert a toothpick or sharp knife into the middle of the loaf, and the bread is done when there are only crumbs and not batter.
  • Be prepared for your house to smell AMAZING as the best healthy banana bread recipe bakes. Honestly, I love to make this just for the smell.
  • I cut this bread into eight thick slices and then cut those slices in half. In total, you will have 16 pieces. I learned this little trick from my mom. It’s easier than trying to cut 16 skinny slices of banana bread- that’s near impossible!
Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (4)

How to make healthy banana muffins?

You can easily turn this banana bread recipe into muffins.

  • Follow the banana bread recipe as written.
  • Divide the banana bread batter between a 12-cup muffin pan.
  • Bake in a 400 degree oven for 16 – 18 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let the muffins sit for 5 minutes in the pan.
  • Remove the muffins from the pan and place them onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

Cooking tips & Substitutions

This healthy, banana bread recipe is easy to adapt. I’ve made this a variety of ways using different flours, sweeteners, yogurts, and add-ins. My advice is to follow the recipe the first couple of times you make it and then make it your own.

Substitute gluten-free flour. When I want to prepare a gluten-free banana bread recipe, I’ll substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour for the white whole wheat flour and flaxseed meal. It turns out wonderful and nobody knows the difference.

Use different flavored greek yogurts. Plain greek yogurt is my yogurt of choice with baking because it’s low in sugar. If I’m out of plain greek yogurt or add more flavor to the banana bread, I’ll use vanilla or other flavored yogurts.

Substitute coconut oil for butter. I prefer butter in this healthy banana bread recipe; it gives the bread a delicious subtle butter flavor and helps it brown nicely. If you don’t want to use butter, then ⅓ cup of melted coconut oil is a healthy substitute.

Swap in maple syrup or honey for the coconut sugar. This will change the texture of the banana bread but it will still add sweetness to the recipe and taste good.

Storage tips

Store in the refrigerator all week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend wrapping in plastic wrap or placing it into a freezer bag.

Place it on the counter to thaw or warm up in the microwave for 10 – 15 seconds.

FAQs

Is banana bread healthy?

Traditional banana bread includes white sugar, white flour, and lots of butter. This healthy banana bread recipe reduces the amount of sugar and switches out more nutritious ingredients while still keeping a moist, flavorful banana bread.

So, this easy healthy banana bread recipe can find its way into your weekly meal plan.

How to get a flavorful, moist healthy banana bread?

The secret to a super moist and flavorful banana bread is to use ripe bananas. Ripe bananas are a darker yellow with brown spots all over the skin. When a banana looks like it only has about 1-2 days of life left, that’s when you know it’s ready for banana bread.

The moisture from the bananas creates a tender, moist bread that has the most fantastic banana flavor.

How do you keep banana bread moist?

After your banana bread has cooled down and sliced, make sure to wrap each slice tightly with food-safe plastic wrap. That way, it traps the moisture, and it doesn’t dry out the bread.

You can also store slices of banana bread in an airtight container to keep moist.

What can I stir into banana bread?

Walnuts are delicious in banana bread. Or use your favorite chopped nuts. ½ cup of nuts is the perfect amount for this recipe. For a more indulgent banana bread, stir in ½ cup of chocolate chips.

Do you eat banana bread on its own?

You can! I’ve also seen others add a layer of peanut butter (or any nut butter, really) onto their slice as well. Of course, be mindful of the added fat and calories when adding nut butter.

If you’re eating banana bread for breakfast, it pairs nicely with a small yogurt bowl. My girls love that combination.

Should you refrigerate banana bread?

That’s mostly up to you. You don’t HAVE to refrigerate it as long as you store the banana bread properly by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or storing it in an airtight container.

However, I’ll keep banana bread in the refrigerator during hot and humid months to keep it fresh longer.

Can I freeze banana bread?

You sure can! One of my favorite things is baking a few loaves of banana bread and then freezing individual slices to have for snacks.

Other Healthy Baked Goods Recipes:

If you are looking for a couple of more baked goods recipes, take a look at this list:

  • Pumpkin Banana Bread
  • Healthy Cinnamon Rolls
  • Pumpkin Apple Bread
  • Banana and Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups
  • Double Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins
  • Blueberry Banana Greek Yogurt Muffins
  • Chocolate Banana Muffins

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (5)

Healthy Banana Bread

Thishealthy banana bread recipeis the best you’ll ever eat! Made with sweet ripe bananas, a touch of cinnamon, and other delicious, wholesome ingredients. And, it only uses one bowl-so less cleanup for you!

5 from 9 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best healthy banana bread recipe, easy healthy banana bread recipe, healthy banana bread, healthy banana bread recipe, healthy banana bread with yogurt

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 people

Calories: 154kcal

Author: Tammy Overhoff

Equipment

  • Mixing Bowls

  • Whisk

  • Large spoon or spatula

  • Hand Mixer

  • Bread pan

  • Cooling racks

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 -2 cups mashed ripe bananas about 3-4 bananas
  • cup plain greek yogurt
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup coconut sugar You can also use a mix of white and brown sugar.
  • 1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup flaxseed meal
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  • In a large mixing bowl, mix together mashed banana, greek yogurt, vanilla, sugar, and eggs.

  • Slowly stir in the melted butter until blended.

  • On top of the wet ingredients, place the flour, flaxseed meal, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Mix until all of the ingredients are combined.

  • Pour into a standard loaf pan that's been sprayed with cooking spray, and bake for 55 minutes or until the center is cooked. You can check this with a toothpick or sharp knife. If no batter sticks to the toothpick then it's done.

  • Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let it finish cooling on a wire cooling rack.

  • Cut into 16 pieces and serve.

Video

Notes

** You can leave out the flaxseed meal and add more flour to the recipe.

Storage tips

Store in the refrigerator all week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. I recommend wrapping in plastic wrap or placing it into a freezer bag.

Place it on the counter to thaw or warm up in the microwave for 10 – 15 seconds.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g

Next time you have ripe bananas sitting around, make the best healthy banana bread recipe. It’s perfect for a morning or afternoon snack. Share a picture and tag me on Instagram or Facebook if you decide to make this recipe for banana bread!

Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (6)

About Tammy Overhoff

Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating recipes to meal prep, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. Check out my online shop Reset & Flourish for all of my eBooks, Guides, and Bundles!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jamie says

    Any options for substituting greek yogurt? I just can’t do the texture of greek yogurt. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Tammy Overhoff says

      Sour cream works great too. Or you can just leave it out. It helps with texture and makes the bread nice and tender but you can leave it out too.

      Reply

  2. Gill says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (7)
    Just made this and it’s delicious!! I used 4 bananas, substituted butter for 1/4 cup of avocado oil, and only used 1/2 cup of coconut sugar. Definitely sweet enough for us with just the 1/2 cup of sugar. Yum!

    Reply

  3. Holly says

    Hello! I would love to make these as muffins, but I have to be gluten free. How would I do that? Would I just substitute gluten free flour in place of the all purpose?

    Reply

    • Tammy Overhoff says

      hey there! Yes just swap out the regular flour for a gluten-free. I like bobs red mill 1:1 best when making this recipe.

      Reply

  4. Ava says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (8)
    OMG I love this banana bread recipe! First it’s so easy to make and second it’s delicious. I made it a few times now. And I’ve made bread and muffins. Thank you.

    Reply

  5. Amy says

    This is my families new favorite recipe. I’ve always made banana bread with sour cream. But we love the Greek yogurt that’s in this. And of course banana bread is always better with some mini chocolate chips. Thank you. Making this bread for the second time. Delicious !!!!

    Reply

    • Tammy Overhoff says

      so happy your family loves this! I make this at least twice a month!

      Reply

  6. Gloria says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (9)
    I don’t have flaxseed meal. How can I adapt this recipe without the flaxseed meal?

    Reply

    • Gloria says

      I do have oat flour and quinoa flour – will either of those work?

      Reply

    • Vickie says

      Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (10)
      I as well did not have flaxseed meal so I out 1/4 cup quick oats in my blender. It tastes great.

      Reply

      • Tammy Overhoff says

        Thanks for the tip! So happy the banana bread turned out for you. I’m making a loaf this weekend.

    • Tammy Overhoff says

      You can use all flour.

      Reply

  7. Brooke says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (11)
    How long would you recommend cooking if I decide to make this in mini loaf pans?

    Reply

    • Tammy Kresge says

      When I make muffins or mini loaves I typically cook for about 20 – 25 minutes.

      Reply

  8. 2pots2cook says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (12)
    What a healthy breakfast it is ! Thank you so much !

    Reply

  9. Lisa Huff says

    My family would LOVE this! Yum!

    Reply

  10. Dawn says

    Making this for the first time (had extra ripe bananas I didn’t want to waste). Got distracted and forgot the sugars! It was in the oven for 10 minutes when I realized my mistake. I quickly took the loaf pan out of the oven, added the sugars into the “loaf mixture” and popped it back in the oven now for the rest of the baking time. Did I ruin it?

    Reply

    • Dawn says

      Well, I guess it’s not ‘ruined’ – Tried an end piece – not sure it tastes as it is supposed to (but I mixed the sugar in the middle – LOL). Seems to be ok, but I’ll have to make it again when I’m not “distracted baking” and see if it tastes any different. 🙂

      Reply

  11. Ella Woods says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (13)
    I would love bread and that is the reason I’m here. Thanks for sharing your

    Reply

  12. Kimberly says

    Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (14)
    This recipe has taken the place of my old favorite banana bread- we LOVE it!

    Reply

    • Tammy Kresge says

      That’s great! I’m so glad you like it!

      Reply

  13. Myrts says

    I am prediabetic so I used 4 bananas and barely 1/4 cup of truvia sugar baking blend and no other sweetners. Its good, very dense and heavy and spongy must be the lack of sugar, I like it I thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

  14. Cam says

    I just made this and it’s amazing!

    Reply

    • Tammy Kresge says

      So glad you like it! It’s one of my favorites.

      Reply

  15. donna says

    reduce sugar to 1/2 cup brown

    Reply

  16. Kerry says

    How is this healthy? So much sugar!

    Reply

    • Tammy Kresge says

      I found this recipe in a cooking light cookbook. You could reduce the sugar if you like.

      Reply

    • Laura says

      Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (15)
      To reduce SUGAR, you can use apple sauce or Truvia. Also I use CHIA/FLAX meal and Cut one of the Bananas up into slices and push it down into the loaf. I also don’t use WHITE whole wheat flour, just the regular stuff and for added protein, use unflavored or vanilla (PLANT BASED) Protein Powder. I use an extra egg white and a little extra liquid when I add Protein powder. There are ways to get away from the sugar, you just have to play with it. I think a 1/4 cup of Truvia and Vanilla Protein Powder could be just fine because Bananas are SWEET already and this is a REALLY Yummy POST Workout Complex Carb Snack.

      Reply

      • Jenny says

        White whole wheat flour is just a from different variety of wheat. Your typical whole wheat flour is made from red wheat. White wheat is the same as far as nutrition goes. It is still whole wheat. The flour is sold by King Arthur Flour.

    • Pat says

      My thoughts exactly!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

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Healthy Banana Bread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is banana bread healthy or unhealthy? ›

Even though some banana breads are high in sugar, fat, and overall calories, most banana breads serve as a good source of key vitamins and minerals. For example, bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B6. Banana bread made with these fruits contains a good amount of these nutrients.

Is it healthy to eat banana bread for breakfast? ›

Banana bread without refined sugar and made with wholemeal spelt flour is a great way to start the day. It's certainly better than sugar laden cereals. The only fat in my bread is olive oil and there's not a great deal of that. So the only saturated fat contained in this breakfast banana bread is from one egg.

Why do you need baking soda in banana bread? ›

Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, which means it helps the banana bread rise. Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor, but it won't make the loaf taste salty.\

How to store banana bread? ›

It should be stored in a cool, dry place that isn't in direct sunlight. Once it is completely cool, Roszkowski says to keep banana bread fresh by placing it in an airtight container, wrapping it in plastic wrap, or even slicing it and wrapping it in plastic wrap.

Is banana bread good for losing weight? ›

Banana Bread Nutrition

One slice of banana-nut bread may contain as many as 543 calories and 25 grams of fat. If you're trying to eat between 1,200 and 1,500 calories per day -- an often recommended number for weight loss -- this slice amounts to between 36 and 45 percent of your total daily calories.

Is banana healthy for weight loss? ›

Although there are no studies that directly examine the effects of banana on weight, they're high in fiber and low in calories. When included as part of a balance diet, bananas may help support weight loss goals. People who want to improve their health are often advised to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Is it OK to eat a banana every day for breakfast? ›

While there's no blanket rule, sticking to one to two bananas per day shouldn't cause issues for most people. With that said, remember that they are relatively high in carbohydrates, so eating them along with protein or fat is also advisable to support stable energy levels.

Are peanut butter and bananas healthy? ›

Are Bananas with Peanut Butter Healthy? Yes! The carbohydrates from the banana will give you energy, and then the protein and healthy fats from the peanut butter will keep you full. Putting peanut butter in your banana smoothie makes it filling AND delicious.

Can you put too much banana in banana bread? ›

Fight the urge to use more banana than called for in your recipe. Using too much banana could make your bread heavy and damp in the center, causing it to appear undercooked and unappealing. If you have bananas leftover, you can always freeze them for later use.

Is it better to use baking soda or baking powder in banana bread? ›

From looking at some of the oldest recipes, it seems that baking powder, rather than baking soda, is the most traditional ingredient used in banana bread. However, when you understand how both leavening agents function, you'll understand why you can use one or the other. They'll both work.

Is baking soda or powder better for banana bread? ›

Baking soda works best in conjunction with an acidic ingredient. In the case of banana bread, this may be buttermilk, brown sugar, molasses or the bananas themselves. Recipes generally include just enough baking soda to balance the acidity in the batter.

Can you leave freshly baked banana bread out overnight? ›

If you're planning to eat your banana bread within three to four days, it can be left out at room temperature. To keep it fresh, place a paper towel in the bottom of an airtight container. Place the loaf of banana bread on top, add another paper towel, and put the lid on the container.

Should you leave banana bread out overnight? ›

The best way to store banana bread is at room temperature in an airtight container. Though it will only stay fresh for about four days on the counter, this will keep your banana bread tasting the freshest.

Can you eat banana bread straight out of the oven? ›

Yes, you can eat banana bread straight out of the oven, but it's often better to let it cool first. Cooling allows the bread to set properly, making it easier to slice without falling apart.

Is banana bread healthier than normal bread? ›

Banana bread not only satisfies our taste buds but also offers several health benefits that regular bread may not provide. With its nutrient-rich ingredients, reduced added sugars, healthier fats, and potential for customization, banana bread proves to be a delicious and nourishing choice.

What are the benefits of banana bread in the body? ›

Having good nutrients can boost energy and help perform daily activities better. Banana bread has healthy fats due to the presence of monounsaturated fats. It comes from ingredients like nuts and olive oil. Moreover, it also has the ability to balance blood sugar levels and lowering the level of cholesterol.

Is bread considered healthy or unhealthy? ›

The highly processed flour and additives in white, packaged bread can make it unhealthful. Consuming too much white bread can contribute to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. However, buying bread with the word “whole” as the first ingredient still does not guarantee a healthful product. It is only the first step.

How bad is too bad for banana bread? ›

In my experience, using bananas with a dark brown or even black peel for banana bread is ideal, as long as the inside isn't rotten. Key takeaway: As long as your bananas aren't starting to get moldy, infested with fruit flies or beginning to rot they aren't too ripe for baking banana bread.

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