This Healthy Banana Bread recipe is good for you and made with nutritious ingredients, but it doesn’t sacrifice the pure comfort you long for when you reach for a slice. You can enjoy it for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as a wholesome dessert!
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Classic banana bread, made healthier.
You may find yourself subconsciously stockpiling bananas, just so they can turn spotty and you have an excuse to whip up a loaf of this healthy banana bread recipe.
But you don’t need any excuse!
- This lightened up banana bread is made with yogurt and 100% whole grains.
- It’s naturally sweetened with honey or pure maple syrup.
- It’s marvelously moist, fluffy, and easy to make.
- It uses just ONE BOWL. You don’t even need a mixer!
While I’ve certainly baked my share of different banana breads (Pumpkin Banana Bread, Zucchini Banana Bread, and Paleo Banana Bread, Banana Oatmeal Muffins are but a few) when I’m craving a simple, classic banana bread recipe, this one is my go-to!
5 Star Review
“This was THE best banana bread I’ve ever made! Thank you for this amazing recipe!”
— Nat —
Key Ingredients
The full ingredients for this banana bread are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page, but here’s what makes the recipe a healthy one:
- Ripe Bananas. Bananas add wonderful moisture, natural sweetness, and nutrition. They’re packed with potassium and fiber.
- Whole Wheat Flour. To keep this bread on the wholesome side, I used whole wheat flour. It works perfectly in this recipe and adds a light nuttiness.
- Greek Yogurt. Adds protein, moisture, and helps to tenderize the bread.
- Brown Sugar + Maple Syrup. The recipe uses just the right amount of brown sugar to create a moist texture. The rest of the flavor comes from maple syrup, which helps reduce the amount of refined sugar and adds rich flavor.
- Canola Oil. Just 2 tablespoons are all this recipe needs; the rest of the moisture comes from the bananas and yogurt. I would not recommend using applesauce, as the bread will be too dry. I’ve cut down on the oil as much as possible without sacrificing texture.
How to Make Healthy Banana Bread
Mix the Wet Ingredients (photo 1). Mash bananas in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in the egg, yogurt, and oil.
Keep Mixing (photo 2). Whisk the brown sugar, syrup, and vanilla into the banana mixture. Stir in the baking soda, cinnamon, and salt into the wet ingredients.
Finish the Batter (photo 3). Stir in the flour to complete the dry ingredients. Fold in any mix-ins.
Bake (photo 4). Transfer the batter to a loaf pan (line the pan with parchment paper if you like). Bake the healthy banana bread at 350 degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes. ENJOY!
Recipe Adaptations
- Make It into Muffins. You can bake this exact recipe as banana bread muffins. For more detail, please see the notes in the recipe directions below. (You can also try my Healthy Banana Muffins or Banana Bran Muffins.)
- Add Oats. Looking for a recipe that uses oats? Check out my Oatmeal Banana Bread.
- Glaze It. Looking for a more decadent banana bread experience? Top your finished banana bread loaf with the glaze from these Coffee Cake Muffins. (Don’t miss my Banana Bread Brownies with brown butter frosting either.)
- Make It Vegan. For a vegan recipe, try these Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. Or, you can experiment with using dairy-free yogurt and flax eggs.
- Make It Gluten Free. Try my Paleo Banana Bread, which is grain-free and gluten-free. Or, another option for gluten-free banana bread is to swap the whole wheat flour in this recipe for a 1:1 gluten free flour substitute meant to replace all-purpose flour like this one.
Healthy Banana Bread
Video
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups mashed overripe bananas about 11 ounces or 3 large
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt I used nonfat. OK to substitute vanilla, though the bread will be a bit sweeter.
- 2 tablespoons canola oil or melted cooled coconut oil*
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 ½ cups white whole wheat flour
- 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (optional)
Instructions
- Place the rack in the center of your oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Mash the bananas in the bottom of a large bowl until mostly smooth.
- Whisk in the egg, then the yogurt and oil.
- Whisk in the brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda, cinnamon, and salt over the top, then stir until combined.
- Gently stir in the flour until barely combined, then fold in any mix-ins.
- Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Check at the 35-minute mark and tent with foil if the bread is browning too quickly at the corners. Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes. Remove from pan and place on rack to finish cooling completely (for neat slicing), or enjoy warm and don't worry if the slices are messy.
Notes
- *If using coconut oil, be sure all of the ingredients are at room temperature and the coconut oil has cooled, or it will resolidify when it touches the cold ingredients.
- TO MAKE MUFFINS: To bake this recipe as 12 muffins instead of in a loaf pan, lightly grease a standard muffin tin, then divide the batter evenly among the cups. Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the muffins spring back lightly when touched.
- TO STORE: Store bread at room temperature in an airtight storage container lined with paper towels for up to 1 week.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze leftover bread in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight at room temperature before serving.
The world ALWAYS needs more healthy banana bread recipes, and this one just might take the cake! :) I make your Blender Banana Muffins all the time so I cannot wait to make this!! Thank you for sharing Erin! Have a happy Friday :)
Yummy ripe bananas AND brown sugar AND maple syrup AND chocolate chips? Oh I am so totally in! This looks delicious and sweet and perfect and amazing! Making this tomorrow for sure :) Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Jill! I hope you love it.
If there’s maple syrup out there, count me in! This one looks so delicious – I’m definitely making it tonight!
The maple syrup gives it such great flavor John. I hope you enjoy it!
You’re coming to California!? I live in Los Angeles, so if you have some extra time in your trip for making an extra-blogger-friend-coffee-date happen, I’m totally down! (and if you have some extra banana bread I can help you with that too LOL)
also ahahahaahahahh I’m DYING at “PHEW. If you see a girl at the airport with a banana bread-shaped lump in her purse and chocolate smears on her lips, that’s probably me. If she utters a sigh of deep, but contented exhaustion, that is definitely me”.
Thanks for sharing your chocolate chip banana bread, it looks delicious!
Hey Jess! We will actually be in Northern California, but I will keep that in mind next time I am in LA, thanks! And banana bread assistance is always appreciated ;-)
I need instructions for speed ripening my bananas so I can try this. :)
Heather, it is so hard to wait for ripe bananas when you just want to make banana bread that second! You probably heard this tip before, but I find that placing them in a brown paper bag and closing the top really speeds things along.
Someday someone will do a scientific study to determine just what it is about banana bread that makes us feel so homey and contented. There is no other aroma quite like it! I think I can smell your kitchen from here:)
Elaine, if they conduct is scientific study, I definitely want to be on the testing panel :-)
Love this recipe Erin. Thank you and have a great weeknd. They come and go so quickly.
Don’t they Liz? I hope that you have a great weekend too!
hey girl this looks so yummy! Have fun and be safe on your travels! love ya!
You are so sweet! Thank you Shawnna. I hope you had a great weekend!
This could also be the perfect reward for finishing your TAXES! I have ripe bananas that were just waiting for your recipe to appear! Nummy! Erin, thanks for posting!
AMEN LAURIE! I’ll eat a slice of banana bread (or three) to that :)
Great recipe without any added sugar!
Thank you so much Colette!
Can you use coconut flour or almond flour? If so, same measurements?
Hi Tamara! Since regular flour reacts very differently in baking than almond flour or coconut flour, I wouldn’t recommend either swap. If you’d like to make a banana bread without regular flour, I’d suggest trying my Almond Flour Banana Bread instead. I hope this helps!
I 100% need this right now! Banana bread is the BEST smell when it’s baking. Totally making this on sunday??
Oh my goodness….that looks absolutely heavenly! I was looking for a banana bread recipe but this one takes it up a notch for sure. Thank you!
Just made this tonight, following your recipe ALMOST to the letter. My only switches were that I subbed macadamia oil for coconut oil because it was like 6 inches closer to me, used coconut sugar in place of light brown sugar, and I used 1c AP flour and 1/2c whole wheat flour instead of 1 1/2c white whole wheat. (See how my brain worked there? Haha.) It came out great! I have an older oven, so ideal cooking time was about 75 minutes. I think I’ll blend the banana more next time, I think the solid bits that were left after mashing sunk to the bottom of the bread pan and remained too moist. No matter how long I baked, it looked underbaked! Either way, it was delicious.
Oh, and for the record, I used 3 good sized frozen bananas, thawed. Thanks for a great recipe!
Lindsay, I am so happy that you enjoyed this banana bread so much! Macadamia oil sounds DELICIOUS, and I love baking with coconut sugar too. Thanks for trying the recipe and leaving these helpful notes. I truly appreciate it.
Can I double or triple the recipe for two or three loafs?
Hi Scarlet, I don’t have experience doubling the recipe, so I can’t say for sure, but it likely will work. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
This was THE best banana bread I’ve ever made! I used whole wheat pastry flour. Definitely a redo in our household but I will try to substitute the light brown sugar with coconut sugar the next time. Thank you for this amazing recipe!
YAY! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Nat! Thank YOU for taking the time to leave this nice review! I really appreciate it.
Curious if this can be done successfully in the bread maker? It’s far too hot right now to turn on the oven!
Hi Alyssa! Since this bread wasn’t designed for a bread maker (and I’m not super familiar with them), I can’t offer any specific advice. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful!
can i use oatmeal flour
Hi Shaaron, I’ve never tried the recipe with oat flour, and I’m afraid I don’t have much experience baking with it. If you’ve had success swapping it in another similar quick bread or muffin recipes in the past and were happy with the results, it could be worth a shot. You’re in the realm of experimentation though! I hope you enjoy!
Hands down the best banana bread I have ever tasted !!!! I am not a huge fan of banana bread nor is my husband but we both loved this recipe soooo much I had to bake another 2 days later ! Thank you for this yummy goodness :)
YAY Jessica! I’m glad this recipe was a winner. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review!
Thank you, this is a fantastic recipe. The banana bread was moist and delicious. It didn’t last past a day at our house.
I’m so glad the banana bread is a winner for you, Marlene! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this lovely review.
Great recipe, you might like to try my CHOCOLATE BANANA BREAD ! Delicious as well as nutritious !
https://leishamulvey.wordpress.com/2017/02/12/chocolate-banana-bread
By far, the best banana bread I have ever made in my kitchen. The only change I made was using sour cream instead of yogurt because I had none on hand. Thanks for sharing your recipe.?
YAY Nancy! I’m so glad to hear it. Thank you for taking the time to report back and share your tweak!
This looks delicious! Putting it on my list for next week. What is the nutrition info if I make muffins instead of the bread??
Hi Cait, the recipe is currently calculated for 10 servings. To figure out the nutrition info for 12 servings, you could multiply the current numbers by 10 and then divide by 12. Or you could import the recipe into MyFitnessPal or another calorie counter and calculate it for 12 servings. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Thanks, Erin!!!
that is an awesome recipe. Very easy to make and healthy. Once it is cooked, the bread doesn’t last long so it is a good sign.
I’m glad to hear the recipe was easy and disappeared quickly, Stef! I really appreciate your taking the time to leave this great review!
Best banana bread recipe ever! Have made this twice sticking strictly to the recipe and boyyy is it delicious! And fairly healthy. I add extra chocolate chips on top. Highly recommended.
YAY Julie! I’m thrilled to hear you enjoy the banana bread. Thank you so much for leaving this wonderful comment!
My 11-year-old son says this is the best banana bread he’s ever eaten. Whole family loves it. Thanks so much!!
Thank you so much, Leslie! I’m so happy to hear your whole family enjoys the banana bread!
You need something after the 3/4 for the choc chips–is that a cup or ??
Am making this right now :)
Hi Karen! I’m sorry for that miss. Yes, it is 3/4 cup. I hope you love the recipe!
this banana bread my favourite and my family also going crazy after eating this. such a wonderful. thanks
I’m so excited to hear the recipe was a hit for your whole family, Suhana! Thanks for taking the time to leave this awesome review!
Excellent moist texture on the inside with golden crust on outside. Delicious! My spouse ate 3 pieces right out of the oven!
YAY!! So glad this was a hit Chris. Thanks for leaving this nice review!
The best banana bread I have ever tasted! Thank you! I made a few subs: a packet of apple sauce instead of the coconut oil, a half cup total of maple syrup omitting the brown sugar, and I broke the flour up into 1 cup whole wheat and 1/2 cup almond flour for a bit of extra protein. Amazing, beautiful and moist and just as delicious a few days later. very excited i found this recipe it will become a family staple for sure! xo
WHOOO HOOO Kimberly! I am so happy to hear this. Thank you so much for trying the recipe, leaving this glowing review, and taking time to share your tweaks too. It means a lot to me and is helpful for others also.
This looks delicious! , i will try this weekend :)
thanks
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
Can you substitute almond meal of flour?
Or almond flour I mean.
Hi Cherie! Unfortantely, no. Almond meal/flour acts very differently in baked goods than wheat flour, so I do not recommend this swap. If you’d like to see recipes that do use almond flour, I have some in my recipe index here: https://www.wellplated.com/tag/almond-meal/. You might also like this Chocolate Chip Zucchini Bread, which is made with coconut flour: https://www.wellplated.com/chocolate-chip-paleo-zucchini-bread/
this banana bread my favourite and my family also going crazy after eating this. such a wonderful. thanks
5
HOORAY Criss, I’m glad to hear it’s a hit!
Yummy this banana bared so delicious, My mother also make this recipe. I like this
This looks so good! Can’t wait to give it a try!!
OMG! Couldn’t look more delicious!
So since it’s healthy, it’s ok to go back for seconds…right?!
And thirds!
Awesome bread, I shared it on FB :)
You are the best! Thanks Gerry!
This has what I would consider to be the appropriate number of chocolate chips. Lol. Fully loaded AND crave-worthy!
THE MORE THE MERRIER!
I haven’t met a banana bread I don’t like. so sign me up for this one next. Love the healthy spin!
I am the same way Lindsay! Thank you!
hey girl- this looks so yummy!
Thanks so much, Shawnna!
Wow — this is delicious! I made a few substitutions because I was short on ingredients, and my kids really wanted banana-chocolate chip bread. Right. Now.
I used a combination of white and whole wheat pastry flour, and I was out of maple syrup (wince–we’re in Canada). It didn’t matter — it came out great. Lighter than my usual recipe and not overly sweet, just right. Top ratings from my family. Definitely adding this to the permanent collection.
HOORAY Ariel, I’m so glad this recipe is a winner for your family! Thanks so much for taking the time to share your tweaks and review!
Fabulous recipe!! Matt and I love chocolate (!), but next time we plan to scale back a bit so that the banana will shine through. But this is fool-proof and so perfect, Erin. I love all of your variations of banana bread and your creative recipes!
Kori, thank so much for taking the time to share your review and feedback! I’m glad you enjoyed the bread!
I stumbled upon your site in search of an updated, healthy version of banana bread. I have to admit, I feared your recipe would be too sweet. (My tastes run more Asian/European.) Made your recipe and didn’t fully pack my dark brown sugar, used 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chips and threw in 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts. Came out great-but I was grateful for each chip! Sorry I doubted you, Erin. Happy to have found a blogger with similar sweetness palate.
Looking forward to making your pumpkin granola recipe next!
Peggy, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the bread and that it was the perfect sweetness level! I truly appreciate your taking the time to leave this thoughtful review, and I hope you enjoy the pumpkin granola!
Do you have a substitute for the brown sugar? Thanks!
Hi Laura, a few readers have used coconut sugar instead, and another used 1/2 cup maple syrup—they all enjoyed the results! I hope that helps!
Any thoughts on using gluten free flour instead of the white whole wheat flour? Thanks!
Hi Ali, I haven’t tried using a GF flour myself, so I can’t say for certain, but I think it should work to use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of the wheat flour. If you do decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it comes out!
The 1:1 gluten free flour worked out great! Cook time was a bit longer, but it was delicious. Thanks for the quick reply.
Woohoo! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Ali. Thanks for reporting back!
My fiancé and I love this banana bread! We have been buying extra bananas just to make this at the end of the week. I follow the recipe exactly and it is SO good. Big plus is that it’s quick and easy since I really don’t like to cook or bake that much.
YAY Grace, I’m so glad to hear this recipe is a hit for you two! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this wonderful review. :)
Two thumbs up for this recipe! So moist and tasty. I made it without chocolate chips and it was still plenty sweet. Thanks for another great recipe Erin!
Hooray!! Thanks for giving it a try and reporting back. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
I must say this was the best banana bread, delicious, yummiest. Thanks a ton for sharing this delicious recipe. Big hug for making my day
HOORAY, Kavita! I’m so happy to hear the recipe is a winner for you. Thank YOU for sharing this awesome review!
I make this over and over again with my 3 year old. I feel good giving her this wholesome bread. Thanks Erin! It’s so so moist and yummy!
Elizabeth, I am so so happy to hear that you and your little one love this bread. Thank you so much for leaving this lovely review too!
I had 6 overripe bananas that I didn’t want to throw away so I Googled a banana bread recipe with whole wheat flour and found your page. I doubled the recipe and made a loaf and muffins. They both turned out AMAZING. My boyfriend ate some and said, “I want to rewind and eat it all over again.” I will definitely make this again. Thank you :)
Lucie, I am so happy to hear it, thank you!!
this a great article. Thanks a lot!
Hello Erin. I was craving a baked good with chocolate chips, but also felt like eating banana bread. I went to your website and found this recipe. It was the perfect mix. I just made this banana bread with crumbled walnuts. Yum. Yum. It was easy to make, moist, and delicious. I am taking this to work to eat as a snack instead of buying sweets from the store. Thank you for another recipe keeper!
Doll, I’m so so happy to hear how much you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing! It means a lot.
Great recipe. The bread is nice and moist and not overly sweet. I should have made two loaves as the first one didn’t last long.
Now you know to make two next time, Rachel! ;) Thanks for sharing this awesome review!
bonjour,
pour réaliser se cake pain banane aux pépites de chocolat, pouvez-vous me donner le poids des ingrédients.
Merci
Hi Ava, unfortunately I do not have weights for the ingredients. An online conversion calculator can help—I like using this one: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart.html. There are likely resources available in French too if you do an online search. I hope that helps!
I put this together this morning, only took 15 minutes to combine everything and then into the oven for 50 minutes. Used chopped pecans instead of chocolate chips. So delicious, thanks so much, Erin!!
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Allyson! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
This was gone in a day. I replaced the maple syrup with honey (because that’s what I had on hand) and it turned out awesome. About to make two more batches!
Thank you for sharing this kind review, Megan! I’m so happy that the recipe was a hit!
Hi there, I love your blog and use it quite frequently especially for weeknight dinners. Can I use non dairy almond yogurt in place of greek? I have all the other ingredients. We eat dairy, but this was all they had. Thanks
Hi Erika! I’ve never tried this swap before, but you could experiment with it. If you decide to try it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
This bread is fabulous! I made my first loaf last week, and I already have to make my second!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Betsy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Awesome recipe that I followed exactly to your instructions and I made two loaves without needing to increase any ingredients. The banana bread is moist and not super sweet and absolutely perfect! I look forward to making this recipe again and sharing it with my family and friends.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Jenzson! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I have made endless banana bread recipes and this is THE ONE. My entire family from kiddos to husband loves and and they have no idea it’s healthy. It’s moist and perfect. THANK YOU ERIN!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Danielle! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I’d love to make this Banana Bread but only have white whole wheat pastry flour and coconut sugar. Would it be okay to use these?
Hi EJ! Other readers have made both of these swaps with success. I hope you enjoy the bread if you try it!
Would the consistency change if protein powder were added? Has anyone tried this yet?
Hi Tanya! I’ve only tested the recipe as written, so you’d be experimenting. It may make the dough dry, so you may need to add extra liquid. If you decide to play around with it, I’d love to hear how it goes!
I made this as muffins and used regular wheat flour instead of white wheat. They were so delicious that my 14 year-old son said he’d have to try the 11 others before he could know for sure if they were good or not, haha! He had no idea they were made with healthier ingredients. And as I made them I felt so good about the ingredients I was using. I will definitely be making this recipe again!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Hearty and fluffy and delicious!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Ashley! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Her book and this recipe was fire this morning!? I used dark chocolate chips to add on since I didn’t have blueberries ?. I also didn’t have a loaf pan but used a cake pan and cooked evenly!❤️❤️ My husband loved it!
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed it, Loren! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is delicious and so easy. It was a fun baking project for my toddler and me this afternoon. We used a mix of dark chocolate chips and semisweet chips and it came out perfectly.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Jessica! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Awesome recipe!! I love banana bread and wanted a recipe with ingredients I feel good about and this one did not disappoint!! Delicious, moist, just perfect!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Nabiha! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Thank you Erin! This is the best healthy banana bread I have tried! My husband even liked it. Some of the recipes where I have used the white wheat flour end up being heavy and dry. It was nice and moist, like the not so healthy banana bread!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Gina! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Do I need to change anything if I use all purpose flour?
No, you can make the recipe as written otherwise. I hope you enjoy it, Stephanie!
I was a little skeptical about the healthy ingredients in here after making my favorite non-healthy recipe about a million times during quarantine. But I have to say, this recipe is even better! The bread is moist and the serving yields a generous size! My new favorite recipe! Thank you! Now I want to try ALL of your baking recipes !
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Christina! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Oh my goodness, this was delicious! I will make this again. My husband and I could not stop eaten no it. I used 4 overripe bananas and omitted the oil. I only had about 1/3 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips, but I did throw in some cocoa nibs. So yummy! Thanks for sharing a healthy and tasty recipe!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Katie! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Made this with some chopped up dark chocolate pieces. Absolutely delicious!!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Jan! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Made this in muffin form and came out great! Definitely add the chocolate chips ☺️
YES! Always a good idea! :) So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your kind review Cheryl!
Can u use apple sauce instead of the yogurt in this recipe.
Hi Tamara, I would not recommend making this healthy banana bread with applesauce instead, as the bread will be too dry. Some readers have tried sour cream instead. Hope you enjoy it if you make the bread.
Ive baked it according to the instruction and it turns out beautifully and yummy! It was a big hit with my family and i will bake it again! Thank you Erin for the wonderful and easy recipe!!!
So great to hear you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
Hello there!
I’ve been ripening up some bananas to fulfill my banana bread craving and can’t wait to try out this recipe! However, as I’m lactose intolerant, are there substitutes to the yogurt? Could I use applesauce instead? Or should I shell out for coconut based yogurt?
All the best!
Charlie
Hi Charlie, I would not recommend making this banana bread with applesauce instead, as the bread will be too dry. Hope you enjoy it if you make the bread.
This was a STAPLE recipe for me in college once I got my hands on a working oven. I got a reputation on campus for making it (always with dark chocolate chips), and it was always an absolute hit with my friends! Since graduating, I’ve found myself coming back to it—I work in theatre, so I’m always meeting new people and use it for cast and crew bonding—and everyone always loves it! I did want to ask, do you have recommendations for dealing with raw centers? It’s been a while since I made a loaf, and I’m struggling a bit even with the tin foil. It might just be the tin I’m using, but I’m going to attempt to put on the tin foil even earlier to see if that works (but even when I have that problem, I usually manage to work it out and no one ever notices, which I think speaks to how fantastic this recipe is)!
Hi Emma! If you are getting a raw center you should leave the foil off and not put it on earlier. The foil is just there to help with the corners getting too dark but it’s not necessary, if you are having no problems with your corners. Hope this helps!
So easy. Wow this is the Best banana bread recipe. So great warm from the oven. My husband suggested we make for our new neighbors! I added 1/2 cup chopped walnuts too and only had whole wheat flour, but worked fine. Love your recipes Erin
Hi Joan! So glad you enjoyed the bread! Thank you for this kind review!
Love the recipe, but I substituted the whole wheat flour with Paleo non-grain flour and a half cup of chocolate chips. It was very moist and not too sweet!
Hi John! Thanks for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed it!
This was amazing! I reduced the sugar a bit and subbed coconut sugar for the brown sugar and it was amazing! I used four medium sized bananas!
Hi Lisa! So glad you enjoyed the bread! Thank you for this kind review!
Can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this recipe. It’s our go-to banana bread recipe. Whole family loves and requests it. I pretty much have the recipe memorized I’ve made it so many times.
Hi Alana! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hello! Can I use all-purpose flour instead? If so, is the ratio the same 1 1/2 cups of all purpose flour? Thanks so much!
Hi Lindsay! Yes you can use it and it would be the same ratio. Hope this helps!
This recipe is now one of my favorites. So nice and moist. I did still add cooked apples. However, I did it as an addition, with the oil. Also added pecans. Yummy! Thank you!
Hi Vickie! So glad you enjoyed the bread! Thank you for this kind review!
I had a couple of really ripe bananas and had to make banana bread. But I wanted a healthier option than the usual ones with too much oil and way too much sugar. This one was a winner! It was, in the opinions of my husband and a dear friend, ‘the best banana bread they’d eaten’! I subbed regular whole wheat flour (all I had) for the white whole wheat, and it was fine. Will make again for sure.
Hi Barbara! So glad you enjoyed the banana bread!
Excellent Banana Bread and Banana muffins from this recipe.
Just follow the directions and see the results. It does not last long at my house.
Hi Paul! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Thank you for sharing, this recipe has changed my life! lol I’ve been looking for a good banana bread recipe for a while and never liked any of them. I just made this one and it is delicious! I also have another one in the oven right now.
Hi Jennifer! So glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thank you for this kind review!
Is it possible to cut out the sugar entirely and just rely on the bananas for sweetness? If so, should I add more liquid (like apple sauce)? I made This recipe last week and it was amazing! Thank you!
Hi Mackenzie, not I don’t believe it would be possible. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Hi Erin,
So this is by far my favorite Banana Bread recipe – thank you so much! It’s delightfully moist. The winning combo for me so far has been to add raspberries, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.
I would love to turn it into a double chocolate bread. Any idea how much cacao powder would need to be added and if the same amount would need to be removed from the flour?
I’d really appreciate any advice!
Thanks,
Camélia
Hi Camélia! I’ve only tested this recipe as written but I do have a chocolate banana bread recipe you might enjoy. Here you go: https://www.wellplated.com/chocolate-banana-bread/
Hey Camélia! I wanted to do the same and just added cocoa powder to the batter until it was as dark/chocolatey as I wanted, and kept the flour the same. I don’t think it would take more than a 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to do so it shouldn’t really affect the flour amount. Hope this helps!
Omg !! This is an amazing recipe. My wife and kids loved it. I loaded it with nuts and seeds. Super delicious 😊
Hi Yogesh! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The best is right! And keeps well too.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Yvonne! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
My honey absolutely loves banana bread with his morning cup of joe. I made this one to surprise him… this bread is amazing! I added dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. I also used coconut sugar instead of brown sugar. He loved it!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Would it be good if I leave out the chocolate I don’t like chocolate in my banana bread
Hi Sandra! You can definitely leave them out! Hope you enjoy the bread!
This bread was so simplistic and delicious ! Cooked perfectly in 50mins. I added walnuts . My husband loved it too !!
Thanks for another amazing recipe
Hi Akalpokaa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I have made this recipe so many times and my family loves it. I have made so many different Banana breads before but this will be the only one I make from now in. I love that it has yogurt in it and maple syrup. Best part beyond the taste is that it only requires 1 bowl!
Hi Diane! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Such a yummy and easy recipe. Like the recommendation I added choc chips. In Australia it’s hard to find “white” wholewheat flour so I just used regular wholemeal plain flour. Not much left after baking this morning. This will become my go to banana use recipe.
So glad it worked for you Shona! Thank you!
This was so easy very tasty great recipe
Hi Sue! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can I use plain yogurt instead of plain Greek yogurt or is it to thin.
Thank you.
Hi Kathy! I would probably use sour cream before plain yogurt because of consistence. Hope this helps!
This is my boys’ favorite banana muffin recipe! I love that it has less sugar than other recipes, and they are easy to whip up!
Hi Steph! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
OMG! So glad I found your banana bread recipe. I made it with white chips. The BEST banana bread recipe I’ve ever made, hands down! Thank you!!
Hi Joann! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Hi, I’m trying this recipe and I was wondering if the nutrition info was just for the bread itself without add-ins, or if it included the chocolate chips you put in the recipe. I added nuts instead, and I just want to make sure i’m getting the calorie count correct.
Sorry if this is a stupid question, and the bread is cooking in my oven right now, it smells very good! :)
Hi Ethan! The nutritional information is for the recipe with the list of ingredients in the recipe card that includes the chocolate chips. Hope this helps!
I made this recipe as written and am shocked by how moist and delicious it is. I prefer this to any full fat banana bread recipe I have ever used in the past. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Amy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
This was the best moistest densest banana bread I have made in a while. I used vanilla Greek yogurt and absolutely loved it!!! Can’t wait to make this again!
Hi Madison! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can I use almond flour instead?
Hi Heidi! I’m not sure if you were able to read this under the FAQ section of the blog post but you can not use almond flour. You could try this recipe instead: https://www.wellplated.com/almond-flour-banana-bread/ Hope this helps!
What sweetener can I use instead of maple syrup if I have none?
Hi Glynis! You can swap the maple syrup in this banana bread for the same amount of honey. The honey will make the bread look darker, since it caramelizes more intensely as it cooks, but the bread will taste delicious.
Will this bread turn out with a different flour? i.e. Almond
Hi Sheryl! I haven’t tested it but I don’t think it would. I have an almond flour banana bread recipe that you’d might like instead: https://www.wellplated.com/almond-flour-banana-bread/ Enjoy!
It truly is delish!! I opted out of the chocolate and used vanilla Greek yogurt. So good!
Hi Danielle! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on changes!
You say to use white whole wheat flour at one point in this blog and then you say whole wheat. Does one do better? Confused!
Hi Patti! They are interchangeable so you can use either, I typically go with the white whole wheat flour that is listed in the recipe. Hope you enjoy it!
Delicious! I made two loaves, had 6 ripe bananas. So happy it turned out so well! I used chopped walnuts, chocolate chips and some raisins. :) thank you!
Hi Maria! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
We make this banana bread almost weekly and it always turns out perfect! I use a mini loaf pan and it fills almost all 8 loaves depending on how many bananas I use (bake time about 25 minutes). My kids actually just said I should sell the bread because it’s so dang good ha! I’m like it’s not my recipe lol But for real everyone loves it and it’s easy to make!
This is so helpful and so great to hear. Thank you Christy!
Just made this with my 10yr old daughter. We had some brown bananas that needed to be used. This recipe Came out really good! I used organic honey instead of maple syrup and added walnuts. I sprinkled a bit of sugar and cinnamon on top before baking. I did check on the bread at the 35min mark and ended up covering with foil for the remainder of cooking. I checked the internal temp at 50minutes of cook time and it was reading 200° So I pulled it out. It was perfectly done. Bookmarking this recipe thank you 🍌 🍞
So happy to hear! Thank you Nicole!
Tried this recipe as part of my personal Well Plated baking weekend. This banana bread is so tender and tastes so good. Hubby said it was like having a cookie. I didn’t leave out the chocolate chips and I’m really glad. They added such a nice little “treat” in this delicious bread. Will definitely be making this bread again.
Great to hear, thank you Rachel!
Hoping mine turns out. Followed recipe but it’s been in the oven for almost 90 minutes and toothpick still comes out with batter
Hope you enjoyed it!
Make this all the time. So easy and taste great. Great use of ripe bananas that you have.
Yay! Thank you Kathryn!
Hi – I was wondering if you are able to provide the amounts of ingredients in grams or ounces and millilitres as conversion tables are not always consistent. Thank you.
Hi Peter! Unfortunately, I’m not able to provide metric measurements. There are several online conversion sites—one good one is from King Arthur! Here’s the link: https://www.kingarthurflour.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart.
Erin, where do you find white whole wheat flour? I can’t find any at my regular grocery store
Hi Bonnie, I just find it at my local grocery store. You can always Google white whole wheat flour near me and it should show you where to find it locally. Or Amazon! Enjoy!
I made the banana bread using plain Greek yogurt and 3/4 cup blueberries. It was delicious.
Thanks for the feedback, Jeanette! Glad you enjoyed it!
Best banana bread I’ve ever made (and I’ve tried a lot of recipes).
Thank you Katie!
Turned out dark at 50min/350 degrees and was dry. Followed recipe exactly. Has spongy, not crispy top. Dont expect a full loaf as it’s rather flat. Probably due to amount of ingredients. Would not make again. I make a lot of banana bread and like to try different recipes but this one is at the bottom
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, Lisa. The amounts, flavorings and timing have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would have been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you.
Made this recipe and it was delicious. My whole family loved it.
Thank you Katie!
This was a winner! Your recipes are so good and I love your explanations why you use or don’t use certain ingredients. This banana bread was kid and mom approved!
Thank you so much, Somaly!
Erin, this recipe is the bomb. We have made this one multiple times. Once we added dried cranberries, additional nuts & semi sweet chocolate chips. Another time we added ground flaxseed & oat bran to it. Today we are going to add diced apples with ground flaxseed & oat bran to it. We make this as muffins each time.
Great to hear, thank you Roberta!
My go-to banana bread recipe. So easy and delicious! Even yummy w/out the chocolate chips.
So glad to hear, thank you Susan!
I used coconut oil. Love using healthier oils. I even cut the sugar back a tiny bit. I called out to the family “Who wants a piece of banana Bread ?” shortly after it was out of the oven. Its almost all gone! That’s a testament to how well liked it is. Thanks for sharing healthier versions of old favourites.
Yay! Love to hear that, thank you Helene!
This is absolutely delicious with just the right amount of sweetness. I used gluten free flour and substituted pecans for the chocolate chips. Chef’s kiss 😘
Thank you Kathy!
I was looking for a healthier version of my own banana bread. This one filled that spot. I used
coconut oil, a little less maple syrup and toasted walnuts on top. Really good
So happy to hear, thank you Helene!
This is the best banana bread I’ve ever made, and I’ve made many! I’m throwing away all of my other recipes. This will be the only one I ever make! Thank you Erin for another fantastic recipe.
So happy to hear! Thank you Susie!
So good! I used avocado oil because I didn’t have either of the suggested ones.
I also added a few Tbsp of hemp hearts and ground flax to give it even more of a nutritional boost.
I’ll definitely be making this one again!
Great to hear, thank you Nora!
Amazing taste! I topped the bread with dark chocolate pieces and it was amazing! Its quite easy and quick to do. The plus is that its also health, my toddler loves it!
Sounds great! Thanks Zohaa!
Fantastic taste and texture! I used the coconut oil option and doubled the cinnamon and it turned out beautifully. This loaf also travels well – I wrapped it in parchment and then froze in a ziplock before tossing into a camping cooler for the weekend.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Carla! Thank you!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Great to hear, thank you Renee!
THE BEST recipe by far!! I used frozen blueberries for my add in. Had to bake a little longer than recommended but it came out PERFECT. So moist and not sweet at all. This recipe is a keeper. My husband was like” make sure you write down the recipe”.
I have a lot of rolled oats on hand. I am thinking of making oat flour with the blender and substitute the whole wheat flour with it. Will oat flour work for this recipe?
Thank you for a great recipe!
Hi Mimi! I’ve never tried the recipe with oat flour, so wouldn’t be able to tell you how it would work. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
This was so good! I didnt have enough light brown so added in some dark brown sugar as well, also added some chopped pecans on top for a crunch, very tasty and next time will try to use coconut sugar with the loaf :)
So glad to hear! Thank you Jazmyne!
This is my go to recipe whenever I make banana bread. I pour half of the batter sprinkle with Chocolate Chips swirl them and repeat with the other batter. Always turns out.
Thanks
Phil Elmira Ontario Canada
So great to hear! Thank you Philip!
Swapped in white flour + brown sugar because that’s what I had on hand and was so yummy!
So great to hear! Thank you Macie!
It was delicious! Perfect amount of sweetness. I used vegetable oil, raw honey and all purpose flour since that’s what I had on hand. And it came out beautifully! I’d definitely make it again.
Looks wonderful, Ailene! Thanks for sharing!
Can I use gluten free flour instead of wheat flour?
Hi Marilyn, yes it should work. For gluten-free banana bread you want to swap the whole wheat flour in this recipe for a 1:1 gluten free flour substitute. Let us know how it goes!
Moist and delicious! I substituted 1/2 c oat flour and 1/4 c ground flax for half of the pastry flour, 40 drops of stevia for the brown sugar, and 1/2 c dark chocolate chips. Still moist and delicious!!
So glad to hear it worked well for you, Joan! Thank you!
Can I use APF if I’m out of the white whole wheat?
Thanks!
Yes, all-purpose flour can be used. Enjoy!
Can I use APF if I’m out of the white whole wheat?
Thanks!
yes! Go ahead and use the samea mount
My family loved this banana bread! I have used the same recipe for years, but this one is healthier and wanted to give it a try. They all loved it and now I will be using this recipe in the future!
So glad to hear! Thank you Liz!
Simple and healthy! This banana bread recipe is the OG best one. My kids love it for breakfast.
So glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! Thank you!
Can I swap the brown sugar for extra maple syrup?
Hi Liz, I haven’t tested the recipe out with this swap but I think it could work. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
This was excellent! One of my twins always complains every time I make banana bread there’s always something wrong with it, but he said this one is good! That’s a big compliment!!
Yay! So glad to hear, Leslie! Thank you!
what if I only have 2 ripe bananas what adjustments do I need to make?
Hi Piera! It’s going to depend on how many ounces you get out of two bananas. If you are close to 11 then it should be ok not to add anything else. If you feel like the mixture needs more moisture, I’d try applesauce or maybe more Greek yogurt. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!