Healthy Banana Bread

This healthy banana bread recipe is super moist, delicious, and easy to make! It calls for simple ingredients like whole wheat flour and maple syrup.

This healthy banana bread recipe is moist, tender, and packed with sweet banana flavor. It’s every bit as delicious as my traditional banana bread, but it’s made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.

My favorite thing about this recipe is that it’s bursting with banana. I use 2 cups mashed (about 4 large bananas!), which gives it an incredible moist texture and fruity flavor. Try a slice for breakfast, as a snack, or even dessert. I guarantee you’ll reach for a second.

This healthy banana bread is easy to make with basic equipment, so you can bake a loaf anytime you have ripe bananas on hand. My son Ollie and I have been making it together on repeat lately. He loves helping mix the batter, and we both love how amazing it makes the kitchen smell as it bakes. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Healthy Banana Bread Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this healthy banana bread recipe:

• Bananas, of course! The mashed banana gives this loaf its moist texture and rich, sweet banana flavor.
• All-purpose and whole wheat flour – I use a combination of flours in this recipe to keep the loaf light and tender, but still pack in some of the benefits of whole wheat. Mixed with all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour adds nutrients and nutty flavor without making the loaf dense.
• Melted coconut oil – For richness. A neutral oil like vegetable oil, or even olive oil, would work well here too.
• Pure maple syrup – It sweetens the loaf naturally.
• Baking soda and eggs – They help the loaf puff up as it bakes.
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract – For warm, spiced depth of flavor.
• Chopped walnuts – For crunch.
• And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

I also like to top the loaf with a sprinkle of whole rolled oats. They get nicely crisp and toasty in the oven!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Healthy Banana Bread

You can find the complete recipe with measurements at the bottom of this post, but for now, here’s a quick overview of how it goes:

Start by making the batter. Combine the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl and the dry ingredients in a medium one.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Gently fold the walnuts into the batter.

Next, transfer the batter to a greased loaf pan. Spread it in an even layer, then sprinkle with the oats.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 50 to 65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. The top should spring back to the touch too.

Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving!

How to Store and Freeze

This healthy banana bread keeps well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

It also freezes well for up to 3 months. I like to slice it before freezing so that I can defrost one slice at a time for a quick breakfast or snack! Slices thaw in about 1 hour at room temp and in about 30 seconds in the microwave.

More Easy Quick Bread Recipes

If you love this healthy banana bread recipe, try one of these easy quick breads next:

• Zucchini Bread
• Pumpkin Bread
• Cranberry Orange Bread
• Lemon Blueberry Bread

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Healthy Banana Bread

rate this recipe:

4.94 from 144 votes

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 55 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Serves 10

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This healthy banana bread recipe has a delicious moist texture and sweet banana flavor! It's made with whole wheat flour and sweetened naturally with maple syrup. Dairy-free and refined sugar-free.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mashed very ripe banana, about 4 large
• ½ cup maple syrup
• ½ cup melted coconut oil, plus more for the pan
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• ¾ cup whole wheat flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 2 tablespoons whole rolled oats

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8x4 or 9x5-inch loaf pan. If desired, line the bottom and two long sides with a sheet of parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the mashed banana, maple syrup, coconut oil, eggs, and vanilla.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole wheat flours, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg.
• Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix. Fold in the walnuts.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle the oats evenly on top.
• Bake for 50 to 65 minutes, or until the top springs back to the touch. A toothpick inserted should come out with just a few moist crumbs attached. I like to check the loaf after 45 minutes. If the top is golden brown, I cover it with foil for the remaining bake time to prevent further browning.

Notes

We recently refreshed this post with an updated recipe and photos. Find the old recipe in this vegan banana bread post.

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Nutrition Facts

Healthy Banana Bread

Amount Per Serving

Calories 307 Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 10g63%

Trans Fat 0.003g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 2g

Cholesterol 33mg11%

Sodium 241mg10%

Potassium 287mg8%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 15g17%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 79IU2%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 37mg4%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.