This Healthy Banana Bread recipe checks all the right boxes! It’s moist, sweet, and whipped up in a matter of minutes with healthier ingredients. You might just have everything you need in your kitchen right now!
Satisfy your sweet tooth with more recipes like Peanut Butter Streusel Banana Bread, Blueberry Banana Bread and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
Table of Contents
This Healthy Banana Bread took me a few tries to perfect, but once I did there was no going back!
I believe that a good banana bread is like a good brownie. It needs no frosting, no glaze, no chocolate chips, no nuts, nothing. If it’s perfect banana bread, then that should be enough.
This is the only healthy Banana Bread recipe you need — it’s perfectly moist and needs no adornments (though you won’t see us judging if you add in chocolate chips!).
Why we love it:
- Super Easy: It’s made in one bowl with a whisk and no mixer. Plus, all of the ingredients are basic baking staples.
- Freezer Friendly: Scroll below for more info on how to freeze banana bread. This is one of my favorite treats to keep in my freezer for later!
- Scrumptious: There’s really no better word to describe it. This banana bread always turns out so moist, perfectly sweet and loaded with fresh banana flavor.
Ingredients Needed for Classic Banana Bread
- Bananas – You’ll need 3 bananas for this quick bread recipe. If you have any extras hanging around, use them to make some adorable Banana Split Trifles or see How to Freeze Bananas.
- Salt – Just a pinch of salt enhances the other flavors in the banana bread.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder – Did you know that both of these ingredients have expiration dates? Use both within 6 months of opening so they’re potent and get the job done.
- Flours – You may notice that I use both whole wheat flour AND regular all-purpose flour. I love the texture that both flours create, and whole wheat flour adds a good amount of fibre. I make this recipe often with 100% whole wheat flour so that’s an option, too!
- Cinnamon – You can add an extra sprinkle to really warm up the flavor.
- Greek Yogurt – Be sure to use plain Greek yogurt with no additional flavors or sweeteners.
- Unsweetened Applesauce – This creates the most incredible moisture and adds natural sweetness in banana bread. And no, it won’t make it taste like apples!
- Eggs – These act as a binder for all of the other ingredients.
- Sugar – Be sure to measure with care! You don’t want to add too much or too little – either error will affect the flavor of the bread.
- Vanilla Extract – This is used to enhance the sweet flavor.
How to make Classic Banana Bread
Here’s a sneak peek at the step-by-step instructions! Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information and ingredient measurements.
- Mash the bananas (I love using a potato masher to do this!)
- Mix in the sugar, Greek yogurt and applesauce.
- Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
- Add in the cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until just combined.
- Add the flour into the batter and mix until combined.
- Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes.
Banana Bread Variations and Substitutions
- Make it 100% whole wheat: this healthy banana Bread already has a good amount of fibre, but I often make it with 100% whole wheat flour for extra fibre for my family! It turns out perfectly either way — simple swap the all purpose flour for whole wheat.
- Add chocolate chips: While I like banana bread all by itself, you may be craving some chocolate! Feel free to sprinkle in some dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Add a crunch: Stir in some walnuts to give the banana bread a delightful, soft crunch. Check out more info here – Banana Nut Bread.
How to Store Banana Bread:
Let the banana bread cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.
Allow to cool to room temperature prior to storing in an airtight container at room temperature. You can store individual slices or the whole loaf. Properly stored, this bread will stay fresh on your kitchen counter for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze healthy banana bread?
YES! This recipe is wonderfully freezer friendly.
Let the banana bread fully adjust to room temperature prior to storing in a freezer-safe container (or zip-top bag). You can freeze individual slices or the whole loaf – keep in mind that slices will defrost much faster.
If you’re freezing slices, use sheets of parchment paper to separate them so they don’t stick together.
You Might Also Like…
Calling all banana lovers! Check out more of my favorite banana recipes:
- Banana Pancakes — we love these for a weekend breakfast!
- Banana Cream Pie — pie is always a good idea.
- Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups — another make ahead and freezer friendly breakfast!
- Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins — these never last long here!
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Ingredients
- 3 ripe bananas
- ⅔ cup sugar (130g)
- ½ cup 0% plain Greek yogurt (114g)
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce (100g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole wheat flour* (130g)
- 1 cup all purpose flour* (130g)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8×4" or 9×5" loaf pan (a smaller loaf pan will need a little more time, and a larger pan will bake a little more quickly).
- In a large bowl, mash bananas with a whisk. Add sugar, yogurt and applesauce and whisk until combined and somewhat smooth.
- Add vanilla and eggs and stir until combined.
- Add baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt and whisk until combined. Add flour and stir just until no white remains (don’t overmix)
- Spread in loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, (covering with foil when top is light golden brown), or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (up to about 1 hour).
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Steve Schulte says
Recipe sounds fantastic. Love Banana Bread (with nuts and chocolate chips) but open to going sans both to try it. I have some “protein wheat/oat flour” I use for “bread” recipes…wondering if I could use that as the substitute for whole wheat/all purpose flour your recipe calls for and follow the rest of it as you’ve laid it out!?
Thanks!
Rachel says
Ashley!!!!! Iโm always asking you to deliver your baked goodies to your fellow Canadian BUT this time I went ahead and made this recipe exactly how you have it listed and oh my goodness! The loaf rose so much! Very moist too! It was divine! Thank you for sharing this guilt free recipe! ๐ Iโm a plain Jane so plain anything is great! Can I just put the leftovers in a ziploc and itโll freeze ok? Iโd rather eat the whole loaf myself and my husband doesnโt like sweet stuff (strange I know!) so bonus โ- all for me!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Rachel! So glad you enjoyed the bread! Yes, you can put the leftovers in a ziploc and itโll freeze perfectly! Hope this helps!
Debbie says
Hello, I am excited to try this, it’s been a long time since I have baked anything! I have a question though, I have heard that full fat is actually healthier and am wondering about using full fat greek yogurt. Will using full fat yogurt affect the recipe, other than the nutritional part? Thanks!!
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Debbie! Full fat plain yogurt will work great!
Diane Shaw says
Iโve used the same recipe for 40 years but this is now my go-to banana bread recipe! So good! And Iโve told my kids and friends about it too
Ashley Fehr says
thanks Diane! This is my go to, too!
Shereen says
Can I use all AP flour? I donโt have wheat.
Ashley Fehr says
You can definitely use them interchangeably in here!
Meli says
What can I substitute for applesauce ? Any ideas ??
Ashley Fehr says
You can use additional yogurt or sour cream
Patty says
So I just made this bread and although it tastes delicious it does not look anything like yours. It didn’t rise much for me and it’s very dense. I did not have wheat flour so I used all white flour. Didn’t think this would cause it to be dense.
Ashley Fehr says
No, that shouldn’t cause it to be dense! It should rise plenty but it is not super fluffy, although it should be very moist. I’m not sure what would be the cause of that!
Marilyn Keller says
Hi…I am new to your post, this recipe sound and looks amazing..I have a question for you. …While we were in SeaSide Florida, before the holidays, we had a bread call ed ..BREAKFAST BREAD, bought at,PUBLIX SUPERMARKET.. I askedvforvtgeir revipe,but no luck in getting it.my questions is….cold youuses this recipe as a base and add in the other ingredients, like it had,dried apricots,currents or taisins,dried blueberries,dried cranberries,nuts..chopped pecans and chopped walnuts,it also tasted like a hint of bananas.it was a loaf bread shape,but not typical year bread texture.
I would appreciate any ideas you have.Thanks .
Ashley Fehr says
Oh, wow! That sounds delicious! Unfortunately I’ve never tried anything like that but I think you should be able to add in a mix of nuts and dried fruit to this bread and it would turn out just fine ๐ I’d love to hear if you try it!
Marc says
What about a gluten free version ???
Ashley Fehr says
Not something I’ve experimented with yet! ๐