This simple healthy banana bread recipe is a quick bread that is moist and sweet with the classic rich taste of bananas and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
If you have overripe bananas and are looking for a way to use them up, this classic banana bread recipe is quick, easy, and uses simple ingredients!
Whether you want a recipe for an afternoon snack or something to enjoy with your morning cup of coffee, this recipe will have you covered.
Why Do People Like Banana Bread So Much?
Few things are more comforting to people than the smell of banana bread baking in the oven. The warmth and aroma instantly create feelings of nostalgia. This recipe is for a moist, sweet loaf that will make you want to eat each slice until it’s all gone!
Banana bread always seems to be a delicious treat or a healthy breakfast, and this recipe happens to be both! It is moist and sweet with a lot of banana flavor, but it is also sweetened naturally with maple syrup.
There are many reasons to make banana bread: it’s easy to make, healthy, and tastes fantastic! And if you love bananas as much as I do, you should try my favorite banana bread recipe!
Is banana Bread Healthy?
The healthiness of banana bread is all in the ingredients you choose to put in it. Use healthy ingredients such as organic flour, maple syrup, and bananas. Your banana bread will be more nutritious than using ingredients such as white sugar and processed oil.
Why You Will Love this Banana Bread Recipe
- It’s Easy To Make: This healthy, delicious bread recipe is easy to make! You need to mash the bananas, whisk together the wet and dry ingredients separately, and then gently fold them. Pour the batter into a pan (stoneware) and bake in the oven.
- It’s Healthy: Made with no sugar, this recipe is sweetened only by ripe bananas and maple syrup.
- It’s Versatile: This recipe is delicious as it is written, but you can add in a few nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, or different spices in place of the cinnamon.
- Tastes Amazing: Most of the time, when people think of healthy food, they think of food with no flavor. I have created a healthy banana bread recipe that is still just as moist, sweet, and delicious without cups of refined sugar!
Banana Bread with Baking Powder
Baking soda is a leavening agent that can be used in conjunction with acidic ingredients. In the case of banana bread, this can be the bananas themselves. Baking soda may not be sufficient to leaven the banana bread, so I use baking powder for the extra rise.
Kitchen Essentials You May Need
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You can find my favorite essentials can be located on my Amazon storefront. While I often try to link to the exact products you see in my photos and videos, my pieces are usually vintage and thrifted. However, I try to find and connect replicas as much as possible, made in the USA or by other small shops, as I believe in supporting hardworking American families.
- Stoneware Loaf Pan: If you have never baked bread with stoneware (see this post), you are missing out! Bread turns out beautifully golden brown and evenly cooked every time.
- Large Stoneware Mixing Bowl: stoneware mixing bowls are my favorite in the kitchen. These bowls are durable, usable for cooking and serving, and can be passed down from generation to generation. They range in size from a small to a large mixing bowl.
- Electric Hand Mixer: instead of using a stand mixer, a handheld mixer works perfectly for this simple banana bread loaf.
Easy Banana Bread Ingredients
This banana bread has plenty of healthy ingredients that will leave you feeling like you’re eating a decadent dessert with good-for-you ingredients.
Banana bread is a delicious dessert that can be made with basic pantry staples. I always believe in using raw, organic, or fresh local ingredients. For bulk pantry ingredients like organic flour and organic spices, I order from Azure Standard.
- Bananas: You need to start with ripe bananas for the best banana bread. As bananas ripen, they become sweeter the riper they are, so those bananas with brown spots are usually used in baking.
- Butter: give richness, tenderness, and structure to banana bread.
- Maple Syrup: Instead of refined sugar, this recipe uses nutrient-rich, pure maple syrup!
- Eggs: This recipe uses two large eggs to help provide structure and add flavor and tenderness.
- Half n Half: Dairy, like half-n-half or milk, gives banana bread an extra moist texture.
- Baking Soda and Baking Powder: Many recipes call for just one of these ingredients, but baking soda and baking powder in this banana bread is essential to get a significant rise.
- Vanilla Extract: the one simple ingredient that helps to enhance all the other flavors in this delicious banana bread is pure vanilla extract.
- Salt: a small amount of salt helps balance out the sweetness of the recipe.
- Ground Cinnamon: the warm, comforting spice in banana bread.
- All-Purpose Flour: for this recipe, I use all-purpose organic white flour.
How to Make Healthy Banana Bread with Maple Syrup
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Loaf Pan
The first step in making a loaf of banana bread is to preheat the oven to 350°F and brush a 9×5-inch loaf stoneware pan with a bit of butter so that the loaf doesn’t stick.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
Lightly beat together the room temperature butter and maple syrup in a large bowl. Add in the eggs and beat well. Whisk in the mashed bananas, vanilla and half-n-half; mix until smooth.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
Mix the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk to blend. Finally, spoon in the flour and gently stir with a large wooden spoon until just combined.
Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry until the ingredients are combined. Having lumps in the banana bread batter is okay, but overmixing will result in a dense loaf.
If you’re adding any other mix-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts, toss them in about one tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the bread. Gently fold them into the mixture.
Step 4: Bake
Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
To prevent over-browning, after 20-30 minutes, loosely cover the banana bread with aluminum foil to prevent the top and sides from getting too brown.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes before removing it from the loaf pan. If the loaf sticks to the edges of the pan, use a butter knife to run around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread. Once it’s loosened, transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling, then cut it into individual slices when ready.
Healthy Banana Bread Variations
If you want to change the taste of this banana bread up a bit, try adding some additional ingredients. These are some ideas:
- Nuts: Giving this bread a delicious nutty crunch is as easy as adding 1 cup of your favorite chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts.
- Chocolate Chips: Adding a handful of chocolate chips to the banana bread batter can help make this recipe even more delicious. Mix in 1/2-3/4 cup of chocolate chips and sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup over the top before baking.
- Dried Fruit: Instead of adding nuts, add dried fruit. Use about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of dried fruit such as cranberries, blueberries, and even raisins. Stir these in just before pouring the batter into the loaf pan.
More Favorite Naturally Sweetened Dessert Recipes
If you love this naturally sweetened banana bread with maple syrup, you will also love these favorite recipes made with maple syrup!
- Homemade Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
- Best From Scratch Pumpkin Pie
- Blueberry Zucchini Bread Recipe
- Best Blueberry Crisp Recipe
Easy Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
This simple healthy banana bread recipe is a quick bread that is moist and sweet with the classic rich taste of bananas and is naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
Ingredients
- 3-4 medium overripe bananas, mashed
- 1/3 cup butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup half-n-half
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups all purpose flour
Instructions
- The first step in making a loaf of banana bread is to preheat the oven to 350°F and brush a 9×5-inch loaf stoneware pan with a bit of butter so that the loaf doesn’t stick.
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly beat together the room temperature butter and maple syrup. Add in the eggs and beat well. Whisk in the mashed bananas, vanilla and half-n-half; mix until smooth.
- In a separate mixing bowl, mix together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk to blend. Finally, spoon in the flour and gently stir with a large wooden spoon until just combined.
- Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry until the ingredients are combined. Having lumps in the banana bread batter is okay, but overmixing will result in a dense loaf.
- If you’re adding any other mix-ins, like chocolate chips or nuts, toss them in about 1 tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the bread. Gently fold them into the mixture.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 55-60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- To prevent over-browning, after 20-30 minutes, loosely cover the banana bread with aluminum foil to prevent the top and sides from getting too brown.
- Let the bread cool for about 10 minutes before you try and remove it from the loaf pan. If the loaf sticks to the edges of the pan, use a butter knife to run around the edges of the pan to loosen the bread. Once it’s loosened, transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling, then slice when ready.
Notes
- Use Ripe Bananas: The secret to great sweet banana bread is using very ripe bananas. The more brown spots it has, the sweeter it will be. Bananas with lots of brown spots are also richer in flavor and have more moisture.
- Measure the Flour Correctly: When measuring the flour, use a spoon to add it to the dry measuring cup and level off the top without shaking or tapping on the side of the cup.
- Don’t Overbake the Banana Bread: The baking time may vary depending on different ovens, so please check the bread after about 45 minutes. The bread will be ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or has been baked just with some moist crumbs.
- Don’t Overmix: To make soft and moist banana bread, gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry. If you mix too much, gluten will develop. As a result, your banana bread will be dense and rubbery.
- Prevent Overbrowning: One of the best ways to help avoid overbaking is by covering the bread with foil after about 20-30 minutes of baking, to avoid the top and sides from getting too brown.
Easy Moist Banana Bread Baking Tips
- Use Ripe Bananas: The secret to great sweet banana bread is using very ripe bananas. Bananas with lots of brown spots are richer in flavor and have more moisture. The more brown spots it has, the sweeter it will be.
- Measure the Flour Correctly: When measuring the flour, use a spoon to add it to the dry measuring cup and level off the top without shaking or tapping on the side of the cup.
- Don’t Overbake the Banana Bread: The baking time may vary depending on different ovens, so please check the bread after about 45 minutes. The bread will be ready when a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or has been baked just with some moist crumbs.
- Don’t Overmix: To make soft and moist banana bread, gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry. If you mix too much, gluten will develop. As a result, your banana bread will be dense and rubbery.
- Prevent Overbrowning: One of the best ways to help avoid overbaking is by covering the bread with foil after about 20-30 minutes of baking to prevent the top and sides from getting too brown.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Store Fresh Baked Banana Bread
- On the Counter: The best place to store freshly baked homemade banana bread is on the countertop. When the loaf has cooled, put it on a plate, cover it with plastic wrap, or store it in an airtight container. It can be stored for up to four days.
- In the Freezer: The bread should always be entirely cooled before preparing to freeze the loaf in the freezer. The bread should be wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or beeswax wrap and then wrapped again for the second layer of protection. Then, place the loaf in an airtight freezer bag. You can store it in the freezer for three to four months.
How do You Thaw Frozen Banana Bread?
Thaw frozen banana bread on your counter for 2-4 hours. It should take 3-4 hours to thaw completely before you serve if it’s a whole loaf. Once it’s defrosted, cut it and enjoy it the same day or the next day at the most.
Slicing a loaf of bread before freezing it in individual slices is a great way to store the bread. With this method, you can easily toast or reheat your desired slice of bread at any time in a toaster oven.
Can You Cover Banana Bread With Foil?
To prevent over-browning, after 20-30 minutes, loosely cover the bread with aluminum foil to prevent the top and sides from getting too brown. When a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out clean, it means that it’s done. Remove from oven and let cool.
