This honey banana bread is so moist and delicious! It has no refined sugar, no butter, and no refined flour, making for a healthier version that's incredibly soft and tasty.
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Banana bread is a beloved classic, and today, I'm going to introduce you to a unique variation that's not only delicious but also a tad healthier – Honey Banana Bread. This delicious treat is made without butter, refined sugar, and all-purpose flour, making it a fantastic option for those looking for a version with more nutrients.
I also have a delicious recipe for healthy muffins for kids that is super delicious and packed with nutrition, and no one would ever tell it has so many vegetables and fruits in it. Check it out!
Ingredients and Substituions
*Check the recipe card for quantities.
- Bananas: Using very ripe bananas is really important. They bring natural sweetness and moisture to the cake.
- Honey: Honey replaces traditional sugar for sweetness, nutrients, and a unique flavor profile. Maple syrup can be used in place of honey.
- Coconut Oil: Adds a delicious tropical twist and helps with a moist texture. If you don't have coconut oil, you can use melted butter or another oil of your choice.
- Plain Greek Yogurt: It helps bring more moisture and protein to this bread. Sour cream can be used as an alternative.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla enhances the flavor of the bread.
- White Whole Wheat Flour: It's different from regular whole wheat flour. The white whole wheat flour is made out of the whole, hard white winter wheat, and that's why it's lighter in color and taste. It contains bran, germ, and endosperm, therefore being more nutritious and fiber-rich than all-purpose flour. You can use all-purpose flour if you don't have white whole wheat flour.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda helps the bread rise and become fluffy.
- Cinnamon and Ground Cloves: These spices add warmth and depth to the bread.
- Chocolate Chips and Walnuts (optional): These optional add-ins bring a delicious crunch and sweetness to the banana bread.
How to make honey banana bread
This recipe is so easy to make! You don't even need a mixer. Here are the step-by-step photos.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 325ºF (163ºC). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch (22x13-cm) loaf pan. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
Step 2: In another mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth.
Step 3: Add eggs, honey, melted coconut oil, Greek yogurt, and vanilla extract. Mix well to combine.
Step 4: Mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined. Don't overmix.
Step 5: If desired, fold in chocolate chips and walnuts. (Optional)
Step 6: Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
How to check if a banana is good for making banana bread
Determining if your bananas are still suitable for use is an important step when making banana bread. The bananas should be very ripe, with brown spots, or even totally brown, as long as they are not brown and mushy on the inside. Here are some signs of spoilage to look for:
- Visible signs of mold
- The smell is off, with a fermented or alcohol-like smell
- The inside is mushy or brown
- Fluids are leaking from it
If your bananas show any of these signs, it means they are beyond ripe and should be discarded.
Why you shouldn't overmix banana bread
Overmixing banana bread can lead to a less-than-ideal outcome. Overmixing develops more gluten in the batter, creating a tough and rubbery banana bread.
To avoid these issues, mix banana bread batter only until the ingredients are just combined. This gentle mixing approach will yield a moist, tender, and well-textured banana bread.
Using honey instead of sugar
There are a few things to consider when baking with honey instead of sugar. Some of them are important to know so that necessary adjustments can be made for an excellent outcome.
One aspect to consider is the moisture content in honey. Honey is a liquid sweetener that adds extra moisture to your baked goods. This can benefit some recipes but not others, so keep that in mind when swapping one for another. In this recipe, moisture and tenderness are what we're looking for, so using honey is a good idea.
Honey also brings a unique flavor profile to baked goods. Its distinct floral, earthy, and sometimes fruity notes can add depth and complexity to recipes. However, this can also mean that honey may compete with or overpower other ingredients, so consider this when planning to use it in a recipe. Honey complements flavors like nuts, oats, and fruits particularly well and tastes wonderfully in banana bread.
When substituting honey for sugar in baking, lower the baking temperature by about 25°F (15°C) and closely monitor your goods in the oven. This helps prevent over-browning or burning because honey caramelizes more quickly than sugar. It's also advisable to use glass or light-colored metal pans for honey-based recipes to minimize browning.
Top Tips
- Use very ripe bananas for the best natural sweetness.
- Be gentle when mixing; overmixing can result in denser bread.
- Use glass or a light-colored metal pan to minimize browning.
- Customize your add-ins with nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your Honey Banana Bread as a quick breakfast, a satisfying snack, or a delicious dessert. I love to eat this bread in the morning, along with my super healthy chocolate shake; they completely fill me up until lunch.
Storage
Store your banana bread in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3 days to keep it fresh. I like placing a paper towel on the bottom and top of the loaf to absorb any moisture and avoid premature molding.
For extended storage, refrigerate it for up to a week or freeze it for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Yes, you can use melted butter or vegetable oil as alternatives to coconut oil.
Any pure, natural honey will work. My favorites for baking are orange blossom, clover, and wildflower, but you can choose your favorite variety for a unique flavor twist.
Honey can crystallize over time, but you can easily liquefy it by gently warming it in a water bath.
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📖 Recipe / Receita
Healthy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups White whole wheat flour (all-purpose flour also works)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 3 very ripe bananas (or equivalent to 11/2 cups)
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup honey (or maple syrup)
- ⅓ cup coconut oil (melted) (or oil of choice)
- ¼ cup plain greek yogurt (or yogurt of choice)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips or carob chips (optional)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F (163ºC). Grease and flour a 9x5-inch (22x13-cm) loaf pan.
- Mix flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and ground cloves in a bowl and set it aside.
- In another bowl, mash the bananas really well. Add eggs and, with a fork, going up and down in a circular motion, beat the eggs in the mashed bananas until well incorporated and some bubbles have formed. Add honey, coconut oil, yogurt, and vanilla. Mix them all together until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients that were set aside to the wet ingredients and stir them until just combined. When you can still see some flour remaining, fold in the chocolate chips and walnuts (if used), and finish incorporating everything in. Don't overmix it.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for approximately 45-55 minutes or until you insert a toothpick in the middle, and it comes out clean.
- Once it's done, let it sit in the pan for about 10 minutes before unmolding and slicing.
Notes
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Nutritional disclaimer
All nutritional information above is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Nutritional content may vary according to brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, substitutions, optional ingredients, etc. Simple Living Recipes is not responsible for any miscalculation or misinformation in the nutrition label.
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