Healthy Banana Bread Recipe | Ambitious Kitchen

I originally shared my go-to, best ever healthy banana bread recipe about 7 years ago, and my message here still rings true:

Baking is a productive therapy for some of us. We bake and cook because food is an expression and showing of our love.

Seems silly, but creating a recipe from scratch, or even following the instructions for a recipe is putting in work to get to the final product. Often you’re baking to delight others, to show your gratitude, or as a way to express your emotions and how much you care for the person receiving the treats.

It’s communication without words. Some bake nourishing bread and meals when you’re sick, and others comfort friends and family with prepared meals when they’re in their darkest moments. We even break bread when we meet new friends out for dinner; we invite them into our homes to gather around a table and enjoy the nourishment and pleasure of food together.

The most beautiful thing about baking is how it connects us with others. It’s all about love. I began baking some of my Dad’s recipes (including his famous yellow cake) to help heal my grief and to work through emotions. Baking his cake was a way to bring his memory to life and to thank him for being my Dad. Plain and simple as that. I still bake for my Dad to this day, and I bake for everyone else in my life too. Because frankly I love the people in my life and the expression of baking something not only gives me joy, but it brings a smile to another’s face, even in the craziest, most raw emotional times in our lives.

Every now and then, I get readers who ask me how I manage to bake and still stay fit. Or even how I can eat cookies. Guys, let me tell you something: it isn’t about the can and the can’ts. It’s about the FEELING I get from giving to others. It’s also about how my joy and passion shine through when I’m trying to figure out how to make a new chocolate chip cookie recipe, or how I’ll make my donuts fluffier. It’s creative and meaningful to me.

It’s not about weight or fitness, it’s about love and nourishment. It’s about emotions and well-being. Ya feel me? That’s where this banana bread recipe came to be. Truly out of love and connection.

Ingredients in this healthy and easy banana bread recipe

This healthy banana bread is the perfect recipe to try out because not only is it simple and easy to make (hello basically a one bowl recipe!), but it’s also nourishing and SO delicious. I love having a slice for breakfast with almond butter and a little sea salt on top. Here are the ingredients you need:

• Bananas: this recipe calls for using overripe bananas, meaning bananas that have tons of brown spots.
• Eggs: two eggs are best in this recipe for a banana bread that’s dense, yet still fluffy.
• Sweetener: we’re naturally sweetening the banana bread with pure maple syrup. Do not use honey as it causes the bread to brown too quickly as honey is prone to burning.
• Greek yogurt: for moisture and a boost of protein. I suggest using whole milk plain or vanilla greek yogurt or 2% for best results.
• Vanilla extract: a touch of vanilla makes such a difference. If you’re all out, feel free to use a splash of bourbon instead, or learn how to make your own vanilla here!
• Whole wheat pastry flour: I love using whole wheat pastry flour for a boost of whole grains while giving the bread the perfect texture. Many of you ask about whole wheat pastry flour — it’s just a lighter, finer version of regular whole wheat flour, still with all the nutritional benefits of whole grain flour.
• Baking staples: don’t forget the baking soda, salt and a touch of cinnamon.
• Butter: I prefer to use melted butter in this recipe because I think it yields the best flavor and results. However, olive oil, coconut oil or vegan butter will also work. Browned butter would also be delicious!
• Optional mix-ins: I love adding walnuts and chocolate chips, but these are optional.

Can I use a different flour for this banana bread recipe?

If you can’t find whole wheat pastry flour, I suggest using 1 cup all-purpose flour and 3/4 cup whole wheat flour. White whole wheat flour also works too! I would not suggest swapping the flour for a gluten-free flour.

Suggestions for a gluten-free banana bread recipe

Instead of trying to make this banana bread gluten free, I suggest trying out some of my other gluten free banana bread recipes:

Customize your banana bread recipe

What I love about this healthy banana bread is that you can easily make them your own with fun add-ins. Here are a few suggestions:

• Walnuts & chocolate chips: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts + 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• Blueberry banana: 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• Pecan coconut: 1/2 cup chopped pecans + 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• Espresso dark chocolate: 1 teaspoon espresso powder + 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

How to make this healthy banana bread dairy-free

You can easily make this healthy banana bread dairy-free! Just use a dairy-free yogurt and vegan butter or coconut oil.

Tips for making delicious healthy banana bread

Here are some of my best tips for ensuring your banana bread comes out perfect:

• Follow the recipe. The best way to ensure the success of this healthy banana bread is to follow the recipe and use the exact ingredients as written.
• Use overripe bananas. Using bananas that have LOTS AND LOTS of brown spots and are very soft will help keep this banana bread both sweet, perfectly moist and delicious. Trust me.
• Make sure your eggs are at room temperature. If your eggs are too cold you risk the butter coagulating. To bring your eggs to room temp, simply place them in a bowl of warm water for 3-5 minutes before you use them.
• Use whole milk or 2% Greek yogurt. Yogurt with a little more fat helps to keep the moisture in this banana bread. If you like a sweeter banana bread, you can use vanilla Greek yogurt. If you don’t have yogurt, feel free to substitute sour cream!
• Use fresh baking soda. If your baking soda is older than 3 months, I suggest grabbing a new one for best baking results.
• Don’t overmix the batter. Over-mixing the batter will create a tough banana bread. You only need to mix until the ingredients are just combined.
• Try it the next day. Banana bread is always best the day after it’s baked, as the sugars release the bread gets sweeter!

How to make this healthy banana bread into muffins

If you’d like you can use this banana bread recipe and make muffins. Here’s how to do it:

1. Spray a 12 cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray or use muffin liners. To be safe, I always spray the inside of the liners too.
2. Prepare the batter as directed, then divide evenly between liners.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 degrees F or until a tester comes out clean.

Storing & freezing tips

• To store: this banana bread should be kept well-covered in foil or plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 3 days, then I recommend transferring it to the fridge or freezer.
• To freeze: wrap the banana bread in plastic, then tightly in foil and finally place it in a reusable bag or freezer-friendly bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature once you are ready to eat. You can also feel free to freeze individual slices for a quick on-the-go treat.

More bread recipes you’ll love

Get all of my bread recipes here!

If you make this healthy banana bread recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and rate the recipe! You can also snap a picture and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen. xo!

Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats

This post was originally published on June 12th, 2017, republished on March 22nd, 2020, republished on September 7th, 2022, and republished March 11th, 2024.