I rely on this Healthy Banana Bread whenever I have spotted brown fruit on the counter and crave something sweet but wholesome.
The crumb turns out incredibly soft and moist without needing any butter or refined sugar in the batter. You can mix everything in a single bowl, making cleanup fast and leaving you with more time to enjoy a slice.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Banana Bread
Most traditional recipes rely on heavy sticks of butter and cups of white sugar to get that classic texture. My version swaps those out for unrefined oil and honey while keeping the loaf incredibly tender and satisfying.
You can mix the entire batter in just one bowl without needing a stand mixer or any fancy equipment. This makes the recipe approachable for beginners or anyone needing a quick baking fix on a busy weeknight.
The natural sweetness from the fruit and honey gives this Healthy Banana Bread a depth of flavor that plain sugar simply cannot match. It freezes beautifully, so I often bake two loaves at once to keep one stashed away for later.
If you enjoyed this wholesome bake, try my Cozy Linzer Cookies for another nostalgic treat, or bake a batch of Ultimate Lemon Shortbread Cookies for a zesty twist.
Healthy Banana Bread Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Mashed Ripe Bananas: Provides the essential moisture and natural sweetness for the bread.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Sweetens the loaf naturally while adding a lovely floral or woody note.
- White Whole Wheat Flour: Offers whole grain nutrients with a lighter texture than regular whole wheat.
- Coconut Oil or Olive Oil: Keeps the crumb tender and moist without using dairy butter.
- Eggs: Binds the ingredients together and provides structure to the loaf.
- Milk or Water: Loosens the batter slightly to ensure a fluffy final result.
- Baking Soda: Helps the bread rise nicely in the oven.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweet flavors of the banana and honey.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice that pairs beautifully with the fruit.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the other flavors.
How to Make Healthy Banana Bread
Let’s get cooking!
- First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan thoroughly to prevent sticking. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted oil and honey until they are fully combined. Add the eggs and beat them into the mixture well, then whisk in the mashed bananas and your choice of milk. If your coconut oil solidifies from the cold ingredients, you can briefly warm the bowl to melt it back down.
- Next, sprinkle the baking soda, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon over the wet ingredients and whisk vigorously to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the batter. Switch to a large spoon or spatula and gently stir in the flour just until no dry streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix at this stage, as doing so can make the Healthy Banana Bread tough. If you are adding any nuts or chocolate chips, fold them in gently now.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with your spatula. You can sprinkle a little extra cinnamon on top or swirl it with a knife for a decorative touch. Bake the loaf for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If you notice the top browning too quickly, loosely tent the pan with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Finally, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes to set. Run a butter knife around the edges to loosen the loaf, then carefully transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Letting it cool ensures the texture sets properly and makes it much easier to cut into neat slices.
My Best Tips for Perfect Healthy Banana Bread
Make sure your bananas are heavily spotted or even black to ensure the natural sweetness shines through in every bite. The darker the peel, the sweeter and more aromatic your Healthy Banana Bread will be.
I always measure the flour using the spoon and level method to avoid a dense or heavy loaf. Scooping directly from the bag packs the flour down and often leads to a dry result.
If the top starts browning too quickly before the center sets, simply tent a piece of foil over the pan for the last few minutes. This protects the crust while allowing the inside to finish baking through.
Serving Your Healthy Banana Bread
I love slicing this bread while it is still slightly warm and spreading a thin layer of almond butter on top. It also pairs wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or tea for a slow weekend morning breakfast.
You can toast individual slices the next day to revive that fresh-baked texture and slightly crisp edges. This Healthy Banana Bread also works great as a base for French toast if you happen to have leftovers.
Follow me on Pinterest for more wholesome baking inspiration!
Print
Healthy Banana Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
- Yield: 1 loaf (10 slices) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A wholesome and moist banana bread made with whole wheat flour and naturally sweetened with honey. Perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (75ml) melted coconut oil or olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (170g) honey or maple syrup
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) white whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk of choice or water
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup (225g) mashed ripe bananas (about 2 large)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with oil or cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the melted oil and honey until combined. Add the eggs and beat well, then stir in the mashed bananas and milk.
- Whisk in the baking soda, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon until fully incorporated into the wet mixture.
- Switch to a large spoon and stir in the flour gently, mixing just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week. This bread freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cooling Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 55 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: healthy banana bread, whole wheat banana bread, easy banana bread recipe, sugar free banana bread