Healthy Banana Bread
This healthy banana bread is sweetened naturally with ripe bananas, honey, and applesauce. It's an easy recipe featuring wholesome ingredients and is perfect for customization, from nuts to coconut flour.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 large egg white, room temperature
- 2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 4 medium)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla or rum extract
- 1-1/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F and lightly coat a 9x5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together for 2 minutes until crumbly.
- Add the egg and egg white, beating well after each addition. Continue beating on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Stir in the mashed bananas, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet banana mixture, folding gently until just moistened—avoid overmixing to keep the loaf tender.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and sprinkle the chopped pecans evenly on top.
- Bake for 60-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the loaf cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Customize this banana bread for diets like gluten-free, vegan, or low-carb with simple ingredient swaps. Consider adding dark chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or dried fruit for variation.