The best thing about a recipe is all the variations on how you can make something. We love bananas here at Blessed Bananas, so we wanted to share our two favorite banana bread recipes. One is the healthier version. The second one is how Grandma would make it.
Healthy Banana Bread Recipe:
Who doesn’t love a flexible recipe? For this banana bread, you can use all-purpose flour, gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, oat flour, and whole wheat flour.
*If you are using Oat flour, use 2 ½ cups
Feel free to add any extra yummies like walnuts, chopped pecans, chocolate chips, or raisins.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil, or a high-quality vegetable oil
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 ½ medium or 2 large bananas)
- ¼ cup milk of choice or water
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour or flour of your choice
- Optional: ½ cup of mix-ins like chopped walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, or raisins.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) and grease a 9x5 loaf pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the oil and honey with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well, then mix the mashed bananas and milk. (If the coconut oil solidifies when it touches another cold ingredient, let the bowl rest in a warm place for a few minutes. Leave it to sit on top of the stove or pop it in the microwave for 10 seconds.)
- Add the baking soda, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon, and mix them together. Incorporate the flour until it is just combined, not over stirring. Remember that some lumps are okay. If you are adding any additional mix-ins, gently fold them in.
- Grease your loaf pan, then lightly sprinkle cinnamon on the bottom. Pour the batter into your pan.
- Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Let the bread cool for at least 10 minutes. And then enjoy
If you made this recipe, tag us using #bestbbrecipes
Grandma’s Recipe:
We all know Grandma does it best! This recipe will make you want to grab your favorite blanket, curl up on the couch, turn on your favorite feel-good movie, and not get up.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Bake Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yield: 1 loaf
Ingredients
For the bread
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 3-4 overripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups semi-sweet mini chocolate chips
For the pan
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
- Grease your 9x5 loaf pan generously with cooking spray to make sure your banana bread comes out clean. Sprinkle the brown sugar and cinnamon on the bottom of the pan. You can also use parchment paper to line the pan.
- Mix the unsalted butter and brown sugar together in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
- Mash up the bananas and mash them into the butter and brown sugar mixture until blended. Remember, clumps are okay! Incorporate well.
- Mix the room-temperature egg with the bananas and butter, then add vanilla. Mix well and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
- Add all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir together using a rubber spatula until dry ingredients are combined. Do not over-mix, or the bread will turn out dense.
- Mix in the cup of mini chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, then sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips on top of the batter evenly. Bake in the oven for 55-60 minutes, or until a knife poked into the center has no batter.
- Let the bread cool for 15 minutes before enjoying it.
If you made this recipe, tag us using #bestbbrecipes
