Recipe for Lower-Sugar, Whole-Grain, Wholly Delicious Banana Bread

Banana bread is naturally sweet and moist because of the ripe bananas, so why add an excessive amount of sugar and oil? This recipe is low in sugar and oil, and it even has whole-grain instead of refined flour. That gives it a heartier texture, making it more satisfying. 

Variations and Serving Suggestions

• You can make muffins instead of loaf bread. Line muffin tins with liners or grease the muffin cups, and fill each muffin cup ⅔ full with batter. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
• Serve a slice of banana bread with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1 ounce of low-fat cheddar cheese, or ½ cup of cottage cheese. Add some fruit, and you have a balanced breakfast with protein and fiber.
• For a more dessert-like recipe, add ½ cup of mini or regular chocolate chips. This will add 5 grams of sugar per serving.
• Freeze leftover banana bread or banana muffins so you can have homemade bread whenever you want.
• Add cinnamon for a spiced option. 

Recipe for Lower-Sugar, Whole-Grain, Wholly Delicious Banana Bread

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 2 eggs, beaten
• ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce
• ¼ cup of sugar, honey, or maple syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups of whole-wheat flour or oat flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• Optional add-ins: ¼ cup of chopped nuts, ½ cup of chocolate chips, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a loaf pan or line it with parchment paper. 
2. In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas.
3. Add the eggs, applesauce, sweetener, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Mix well to combine.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
6. If using any optional add-ins, fold them into the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it evenly.
8. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow the banana bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition information per serving: calories: 130 kcal; total fat: 2 g; total carbohydrates: 25 g; sugar: 10 g; fiber: 3 g; protein: 3 g; sodium: 220 mg; cholesterol: 35 mg

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Reviewed by Natalie Stein, MS, MPH, CDCES