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Healthy Banana Bread recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

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5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 12 slices

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Last updated on February 27, 2024

This Healthy Banana Bread recipe checks all the right boxes! It’s moist, sweet, and whipped up in a matter of minutes with healthier ingredients. You might just have everything you need in your kitchen right now!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with more recipes like Peanut Butter Streusel Banana Bread, Blueberry Banana Bread and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

sliced healthy banana bread on parchment paper with bananas around it.

Table of Contents

This Healthy Banana Bread took me a few tries to perfect, but once I did there was no going back!

I believe that a good banana bread is like a good brownie. It needs no frosting, no glaze, no chocolate chips, no nuts, nothing. If it’s perfect banana bread, then that should be enough.

This is the only healthy Banana Bread recipe you need — it’s perfectly moist and needs no adornments (though you won’t see us judging if you add in chocolate chips!).

Why we love it:

  • Super Easy: It’s made in one bowl with a whisk and no mixer. Plus, all of the ingredients are basic baking staples.
  • Freezer Friendly: Scroll below for more info on how to freeze banana bread. This is one of my favorite treats to keep in my freezer for later!
  • Scrumptious: There’s really no better word to describe it. This banana bread always turns out so moist, perfectly sweet and loaded with fresh banana flavor.
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Ingredients Needed for Classic Banana Bread

ingredients needed for healthy banana bread in glass bowls on grey surface.
  • Bananas – You’ll need 3 bananas for this quick bread recipe. If you have any extras hanging around, use them to make some adorable Banana Split Trifles or see How to Freeze Bananas.
  • Salt – Just a pinch of salt enhances the other flavors in the banana bread.
  • Baking Soda and Baking Powder – Did you know that both of these ingredients have expiration dates? Use both within 6 months of opening so they’re potent and get the job done.
  • Flours – You may notice that I use both whole wheat flour AND regular all-purpose flour. I love the texture that both flours create, and whole wheat flour adds a good amount of fibre. I make this recipe often with 100% whole wheat flour so that’s an option, too!
  • Cinnamon – You can add an extra sprinkle to really warm up the flavor.
  • Greek Yogurt – Be sure to use plain Greek yogurt with no additional flavors or sweeteners.
  • Unsweetened Applesauce – This creates the most incredible moisture and adds natural sweetness in banana bread. And no, it won’t make it taste like apples!
  • Eggs – These act as a binder for all of the other ingredients.
  • Sugar – Be sure to measure with care! You don’t want to add too much or too little – either error will affect the flavor of the bread.
  • Vanilla Extract – This is used to enhance the sweet flavor.

How to make Classic Banana Bread

Here’s a sneak peek at the step-by-step instructions! Scroll to the bottom of this page for more information and ingredient measurements.

  • Mash the bananas (I love using a potato masher to do this!)
  • Mix in the sugar, Greek yogurt and applesauce.
bananas mashed in a glass mixing bowl.
mash the bananas
mashed bananas in a bowl with yogurt and sugar added on top.
mix in the applesauce, yogurt and sugar
  • Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
  • Add in the cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk until just combined.
mixed wet ingredients in glass mixing bowl with whisk.
add the eggs and vanilla
baking soda, cinnamon, and salt added to ingredients in bowl.
add the baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon
  • Add the flour into the batter and mix until combined.
  • Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes.
flour added to ingredients in glass mixing bowl.
add flour
baked loaf of banana bread on grey surface with bananas beside.
bake

Banana Bread Variations and Substitutions

  • Make it 100% whole wheat: this healthy banana Bread already has a good amount of fibre, but I often make it with 100% whole wheat flour for extra fibre for my family! It turns out perfectly either way — simple swap the all purpose flour for whole wheat.
  • Add chocolate chips: While I like banana bread all by itself, you may be craving some chocolate! Feel free to sprinkle in some dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips.
  • Add a crunch: Stir in some walnuts to give the banana bread a delightful, soft crunch. Check out more info here – Banana Nut Bread.
sliced banana bread with butter on a grey surface.

How to Store Banana Bread:

Let the banana bread cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

Allow to cool to room temperature prior to storing in an airtight container at room temperature. You can store individual slices or the whole loaf. Properly stored, this bread will stay fresh on your kitchen counter for up to 4 days.

Can I freeze healthy banana bread?

YES! This recipe is wonderfully freezer friendly.

Let the banana bread fully adjust to room temperature prior to storing in a freezer-safe container (or zip-top bag). You can freeze individual slices or the whole loaf – keep in mind that slices will defrost much faster.

If you’re freezing slices, use sheets of parchment paper to separate them so they don’t stick together.

slices of banana bread leaning against loaf with banana beside.

You Might Also Like…

Calling all banana lovers! Check out more of my favorite banana recipes:

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Healthy Banana Bread recipe

written by Ashley Fehr

5 from 5 votes
This Healthy Banana Bread recipe checks all the right boxes! It's moist, sweet, and whipped up in a matter of minutes with healthier ingredients. You might just have everything you need in your kitchen right now! #banana #baking #recipe | easy recipes | baking recipes | healthy baking | breakfast ideas | banana recipes
sliced banana bread loaf with bananas beside.
Review
Print
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Bread and Baked Goods
Servings 12 slices
Calories 155cal

Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas
  • ⅔ cup sugar (130g)
  • ½ cup 0% plain Greek yogurt (114g)
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce (100g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour* (130g)
  • 1 cup all purpose flour* (130g)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease an 8×4" or 9×5" loaf pan (a smaller loaf pan will need a little more time, and a larger pan will bake a little more quickly).
  • In a large bowl, mash bananas with a whisk. Add sugar, yogurt and applesauce and whisk until combined and somewhat smooth.
  • Add vanilla and eggs and stir until combined.
  • Add baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt and whisk until combined. Add flour and stir just until no white remains (don’t overmix)
  • Spread in loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, (covering with foil when top is light golden brown), or until toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (up to about 1 hour).

Notes

Ingredients and Substitutions:
Yogurt and applesauce: if you are out of either yogurt or applesauce, I have successfully made this banana bread recipe using all yogurt and all applesauce. Simply swap one for the other. 
*Flour: be sure to measure your flour fluffed and levelled, or use a scale to weight it. You will need 260 grams total flour, and you can use half and half as the recipe calls for, or 2 cups all-purpose, or 2 cups whole wheat. 
 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 155cal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 191mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g
Keywords healthy banana bread

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Danielle says

    I like my banana bread plain too. With just a touch of salted butter on it while it’s still warm. Mmmmm…sounds much better than these plain egg white I’m about to have for breakfast! You mentioned having bananas in the freezer which peaked my interest. I had no idea you could freeze bananas. I know it probably seems obvious, but I never thought about it…

    Reply

  2. Caroline says

    hello Ashley,

    I have been searching for a classic banana bread recipe and this looks so good… I was wondering since I do not have any plain yogurt if i could use banana flavored yogurt you find in the baby section at Walmart????

    Reply

  3. Roxanne says

    Delicious looking recipe Ashley! I’m definitely going to try it. One question, have you ever used Greek Yogurt? It’s the only one I buy. Just wondering how it would turn out.

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      I think it would work just fine! I often substitute it if I have it. I even use flavored yogurt sometimes!

      Reply

      • Roxanne says

        Well being the temperature dropped to +13 here in Cornwall, Ontario, it was the perfect day to try your Classic Banana Bread recipe. It turned out perfect with 0% Greek Yogurt! Just the right amount of sweetness! Thank you Ashley! I’m looking forward to making many of your other recipes!!

      • Ashley says

        I’m so glad you liked it! It is definitely my favorite recipe for banana bread 🙂 It has been chilly here in Manitoba too lately!

  7. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    Guess what? I like plain banana bread the best too! It’s so delicious, it doesn’t need a bunch of add ins. Your version sounds just delicious Ashley!

    Reply

  9. Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says

    I’m totally on board with the fun versions of banana bread, but absolutely NOTHIN’ beats the classic stuff! This seriously look so moist, soft, and every-bit-as-amazing! You won’t mind if I just steal half of that gorgeous loaf right outta my screen will you? My coffee is a little lonely over here. 😉

    Reply

  16. My Kitchen Craze says

    Yay for you not wanting any down time because I love a good ole’ fashioned banana bread. 😉 I do love chocolate chips in it normally, but sometimes you just need the basic with a slather of butter.

    Reply

  19. Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says

    I had to laugh when you said you were going to bake, just to bake, and then ended up snapping a few photos! I am the same way – just can’t stop with the baking and photographing! I think it’s an addiction. 🙂 This banana bread looks absolutely perfect. Pinned!

    Reply

    • Ashley says

      Totally an addiction! And I figured I needed an upgrade from just having the recipe jotted in a recipe pin comment box. Lol. And hey look, I have this here blog! Thanks Kristine 🙂

      Reply

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