This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Get your swirl on with Cream Cheese Banana Bread! Moist and tender, this banana bread with a cream cheese swirl is a scrumptious, special breakfast treat.

moist cream cheese banana bread with swirls in a stack of slices

While I’ll never get tired of classic banana bread, sometimes when overripe bananas are staring at me from my kitchen counter, I yearn for something with a little more pizzaz.

This cream cheese banana bread is the answer.

Quick and easy to make, it’s the perfect on-the-fly way to use up browning bananas lingering around in your kitchen.

a loaf of sliced banana bread with cream cheese swirls

5 Star Review

“I made this bread tonight and it is delicious!”

— Jennifer —

About Cream Cheese Banana Bread

Like these Banana Bread Brownies, this recipe combines the ease of basic banana bread with a little extra decadence and flair.

I used my favorite healthy banana bread recipe as the base—the batter needs only one bowl and 10 minutes to prep—then jazzed it up with a Greek yogurt cream cheese layer that adds moisture, tang, and artisan bakery-level beauty.

Every slice of this cream cheese banana bread is guaranteed to be moist and tender.

You don’t need a mixer—just a bowl, a spoon, and a butter knife for the swirl.

slices of cream cheese banana bread on plates

How to Make Cream Cheese Banana Bread

This banana bread with cream cheese swirl has all the banana flavor you love with the luscious addition of a decadent cream cheese swirl. You deserve it!

It looks so pretty when it’s cut and feels extra special.


The Ingredients

  • Ripe Bananas. Perfect for those brown bespeckled bananas that are too mushy to eat otherwise. (This Zucchini Banana Bread is another way I love to use up ripe bananas.)
  • Flour. For this recipe, I use a blend of 50/50 all purpose flour and whole wheat pastry flour to inject a little whole grain goodness into this banana loaf.
  • Greek Yogurt. Used to add moisture, tenderness, and tang instead of buttermilk or sour cream.
  • Egg. Contributes richness and softness while also providing structure to the loaf.
  • Maple Syrup. Naturally sweetens—allowing for a reduction of brown sugar—and flavors the banana bread.

Substitution Tip

If you don’t have maple syrup, you may swap for an equal amount of honey.

  • Brown Sugar. Sweetens the bread while also adding a touch of robust molasses flavor.
  • Oil. Choose from either canola oil or coconut oil—even avocado oil would work.

TIP!

If you’re using coconut oil, make sure the rest of your ingredients are at room temperature so it does not resolidify while mixing.

  • Vanilla Extract. Enhances the flavor of the banana bread batter.
  • Spices. This cream cheese banana bread is spiced with a blend of nutmeg (also that warm aroma in Eggnog Bread) and cinnamon.
  • Reduced-Fat Cream Cheese. The base of a cream cheese filling that’s still rich, decadent, and satisfying.
a stack of slices of cream cheese swirled banana bread

The Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
cream cheese filling for banana bread in a glass mixing bowl
  1. Make the cream cheese filling.
mashed bananas in a mixing bowl with a fork
  1. Mash the banana with the wet ingredients.
  1. Combine the dry ingredients, then add to the wet ingredients. Gently stir until the flour disappears. Don’t overmix!
banana bread batter in a loaf pan with dollops of cream cheese filling on top ready to bake
  1. Dollop the cream cheese mixture and banana bread batter into the pan in layers.
cream cheese filling and banana bread batter swirled together in a loaf pan before baking
  1. Swirl with a knife.
freshly baked cream cheese banana bread in a loaf pan with parchment paper
  1. Bake the cream cheese banana bread at 350 degrees for 55 to 75 minutes. Let cool and ENJOY!

Tips for the Best Cream Cheese Banana Bread

  • Don’t Over Do the Swirl. If you swirl too much, you won’t have a nice, defined cream cheese ribbon.
  • Check Early for Browning. Check the cream cheese banana bread after about 40 minutes. If the bread starts to brown too much at the corners before it’s baked through, tent it with foil.
  • Don’t Underbake. Super moist quick breads like banana bread can be easy to underbake. The most foolproof way to know if banana bread is done is to use an instant-read thermometer. When it reaches 200 degrees F at the center, the banana bread is fully cooked.
a loaf of cream cheese banana bread cut open to show swirl on a cooling rack with parchment paper

Recipe Variations

  • Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread. Fold chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the banana batter prior to baking.
  • Cinnamon Cream Cheese Banana Bread. Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon to the cream cheese layer.
  • Cream Cheese Banana Muffins. Grease a standard muffin tin. Prepare the batter as directed. Fill the muffin cups three-quarters of the way to the top, then bake at 350°F for 18 to 22 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean (you’ll have 10 to 12 muffins).
  • Cream Cheese Banana Cake. Check out this Banana Bundt Cake and Banana Cake.

Storage Tips

  • To Store. You may store cream cheese banana bread for several hours, covered, at room temperature. Otherwise, due to the cream cheese, I recommend storing cream cheese banana bread in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  • To Freeze. Tightly wrap the banana bread in plastic, then store it in a freezer bag for up to three months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use Coconut or Almond Flour in this Recipe?

No, both coconut flour and almond flour react very differently in baking than wheat flour. You can rarely make this swap easily without modifying the other ingredients. If you’re looking for gluten free banana bread, try this Almond Flour Banana Bread.

Is Banana Bread Bad for You?

I think we can all agree that banana bread isn’t kale. Standard banana bread recipes are certainly not healthy—loaded with sugar, fat, and carbohydrates. This cream cheese banana bread is healthier than other options (as is this Oatmeal Banana Bread), thanks to whole wheat flour, reduced-fat cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and a reduction of processed sugar.

Why is my Banana Bread Gooey?

Gooey banana bread is often underbaked. Always test your bread with a toothpick or an instant-read thermometer for best results—the bread should register 200°F. It’s important to remember that banana bread will often look done on the outside long before it is fully set on the inside. If your banana bread is getting too brown, you can always tent it with foil to shield the top from direct heat while the inside finishes baking.

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

4.62 from 13 votes
Cream cheese banana bread is a decadent breakfast treat! It combines the best moist banana bread with a beautiful cream cheese swirl.

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 55 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings: 10 slices, 1 (8×4) loaf

Ingredients
  

FOR THE BANANA BREAD:

  • 1 1/2 cups overripe bananas mashed about 11 ounces or 3 large
  • 1 large egg at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey
  • 2 tablespoons melted cooled coconut oil* or canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar light or dark
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FILLING:

  • 4 ounces reduced fat cream cheese at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons nonfat plain Greek yogurt at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg at room temperature

Instructions
 

  • Place a rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×4-inch loaf pan with parchment paper so that the paper overhangs the two longer sides like handles. Coat the parchment paper with nonstick spray.
  • To prepare the cream cheese filling, beat or whisk together the cream cheese, sugar, Greek yogurt, flour, and egg in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
  • Prepare the banana bread batter, mash the bananas until mostly smooth in a large mixing bowl (double-check that you have the right amount or your banana bread may be too moist or too dry).
  • Whisk in the egg, yogurt, maple syrup, and oil. (If you're using coconut oil and it resolidifies, microwave the bowl for a few seconds to melt it). Then, stir in the brown sugar and vanilla.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and gently stir until the flour disappears. Don't overmix!
  • Pour 1/3 of the banana bread batter into the pan. With two spoons, dollop the cream cheese filling and the remaining banana bread batter alternately over the top to create a batter “mosaic” (you may have more than one layer of the batters; just keep varying it up).
  • To swirl, insert a butter knife halfway into the batter. Drag it through the batter first vertically a few times (spacing apart each “drag”), then horizontally. Don’t stress over this part: no two swirls are alike, and that’s the beauty of this bread!
  • Bake the cream cheese banana bread for 55 to 70 minutes, until a thin knife inserted in the center comes out without any banana bread batter sticking to it. Check at the 40-minute mark, then periodically after. If the bread starts to brown too much at the corners before it’s baked through, tent it with foil. The most foolproof way to know if banana bread is done is to use an instant read thermometer. When it reaches 200 to 205 degrees F at the center, it is cooked through.
  • Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Remove the bread from the pan using the “handles” and set it on the rack to finish cooling completely. Slice and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • *If using coconut oil, be sure all of the ingredients are at room temperature and the coconut oil has cooled completed to room temperature, or it will resolidify when it touches the cold ingredients.
  • To bake as muffins (you’ll have around 12): Place paper liners in muffins wells and coat with nonstick spray and dollop the batter as directed. Bake at 350 degrees F for 18 to 22 minutes.
  • TO STORE: Cream cheese banana bread may be stored for several hours, covered, at room temperature. Otherwise, due to the cream cheese, I recommend storing cream cheese banana bread in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 
  • TO FREEZE: Tightly wrap the banana bread in plastic, then store it in a freezer bag for up to three months. Let thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice (of 10)Calories: 222kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 6gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 39mgPotassium: 246mgFiber: 2gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 133IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 1mg

Join today and start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.

Sign Me Up

Related Recipes

Banana-rama! Here are more of the best banana recipes from Well Plated.

Did you try this recipe?

I want to see!

Follow @wellplated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

You May Also Like

Free Email Series
Sign Up for FREE Weekly Meal Plans
Each includes a grocery list, budget, and 5 healthy dinners, helping you save time, save money, and live better!

Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

Leave a Comment

Did you make this recipe?

Don't forget to leave a review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





24 Comments

Leave a comment

    1. Great question Lois! I actually wouldn’t recommend this because they will be very, very tart and could also cause the bread to be a little soggy. Dried is the way to go here.

  1. I just bought some avocado oil to replace my canola. would it be ok to use in the recipe or would it change the taste?

  2. Hi! I am not a baker sadly. I am looking for a recipe that I could use  coconut flour or almond flour with. Could this be substituted for the whole wheat?

    1. Hi Amy, unfortunately almond and coconut flour have very different properties from wheat flour, so it’s not easy to do a straight 1:1 swap. I’d recommend checking out recipes specifically written for those two types of flour. Here are two of my other recipes that use those, if you’d like to take a look: Pumpkin Bread (almond flour) and Zucchini Bread (coconut flour).

  3. Can’t wait to try this! I’m thinking of making a few and freezing without the icing then adding that later? Have you frozen them?

    1. Hi Lyn, I think that sounds like a good plan! I have some freezing directions in the notes section below the recipe, but I think your idea to wait to add the icing until they’re thawed is a good one too.

  4. I made it with Almond flour, a complete flop, I make a lot of regular banana bread but this was way to liquidy, did not cook well at all. I will try it again with wheat or regular flour. 

    1. Hello! Almond flour behaves very differently than whole wheat flour, so it usually can’t be used as a straight swap. This recipe was tested specifically for whole wheat flour, so I hope you will enjoy the bread if you do give it another try it as written!

  5. Made this bread on a Sunday morning for brunch. The next evening, my family ate the rest for dessert with a quick chocolate sauce I made to go with it. Yum all around.5 stars

    1. Hi Caitlin! You likely could, but I’ve only tested this recipe as written so it would be hard to say what adjustments in the baking time would need to be made. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!

  6. Looking at the picture made my mouth water! It sounded SO good. I made it today and it didn’t turn out. I followed recipe exactly. My batter and the cream cheese mixture were both runny. It baked for 70 min to a temp of 200. After I got it out to cool it deflated. It seemed a little undercooked. We ate it anyway and thought the taste was bland. Will not make again.2 stars

    1. I’m sorry to hear this wasn’t what you hope for, Amcel. Many other readers have tried it and loved it, but I know everyone has different tastes. I truly wish you would have loved it!

  7. I just put this in the oven, but the cream cheese filling definitely could not be dolloped- it was completely liquid. I checked and double checked the ingredients. It looked nothing like the consistency of what is in your pictures. Hoping it still bakes up okay…