Description
This Healthy No Added Sugar Banana Bread recipe offers a wholesome twist on classic banana bread by using ripe bananas for natural sweetness and whole wheat flour for added fiber. It’s baked to moist perfection with the option to include wholesome mix-ins like nuts or raisins, making it a delicious and nutritious treat without any added sugar.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 500 grams (~17.5 ounces) peeled, overripe bananas (about 2 1/2 cups mashed, from about 5-6 medium)
- 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or neutral-flavored oil of choice
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or banana extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour (or 1 cup all-purpose + 3/4 cup whole wheat flour)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Optional Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, raisins, or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Lightly grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or three mini loaf pans to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the peeled, overripe bananas, melted coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk together until well blended. Alternatively, use a blender to puree measured bananas with the wet ingredients for a smooth batter.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the white whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, and any optional mix-ins into the wet mixture. Stir gently just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can impact texture.
- Bake the Bread: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan(s). Bake the large loaf for 60 to 75 minutes or mini loaves for 35 to 40 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Before Slicing: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and cool for an additional 15-20 minutes before slicing to allow the loaf to set properly.
Notes
- Use very ripe, brown-spotted bananas for maximum sweetness. Frozen bananas must be fully defrosted and liquid retained for best results.
- If you don’t have white whole wheat flour, use a mix of 1 cup all-purpose and ¾ cup whole wheat flour.
- Adding mix-ins usually extends baking time by about 5-10 minutes and chocolate chips add some sugar but less than typical banana bread.
- Baking pans: Nordic Ware 9×5” loaf pan or mini loaf pans are recommended for best results.
- Involve children in preparing the bread to encourage healthy eating habits.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1, 3-ounce slice
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 105 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 31 mg
