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Healthy Banana Bread

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Healthy Banana Bread is made with just a few simple, nutritious ingredients. Easy to make + full of flavor – it’s perfect for breakfast or snacking!

Healthy Banana Bread sliced on a white dish

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This Healthy Banana Bread is seriously THE BEST. I know that is a very bold statement, but it’s true.

It’s naturally sweetened with only bananas, honey and applesauce (no refined sugar!), packed with whole grains, and perfectly moist!

Easy to make with basic pantry staples, this Healthy Banana Bread will definitely be a favorite in your house!

Hand holding up a slice of Healthy Banana Bread

Now.. you might be thinking.. healthy banana bread? How could this be?! But I promise you would NEVER even know that this banana bread is made with good-for-you ingredients. Just in case you’re wondering…

Why is this banana bread healthy?

  • Whole wheat flour – I used whole wheat flour in this recipe rather than bleached white flour. Whole wheat flour is a great source of whole grains and so much better for you than regular white flour! This is the whole wheat flour I like
  • Low in sugar – This recipe is sweetened only by ripe bananas, a touch of honey and applesauce. (and some chocolate chips for good measure) Many banana bread recipes are loaded with sugar, but this has only 19g of all natural sugar per slice.
  • Heart healthy fats – Instead of using butter or canola oil, this recipe uses coconut oil to keep it moist, and it also has some walnuts in it for healthy fats!

Now, let’s get into baking this banana bread.

Healthy Banana Bread ingredients. Bananas flour, egg, coconut oil, honey, applesauce, walnuts, chocolate chips and spices

How to make healthy banana bread:

a step by step collage showing how to make healthy banana bread

  • Step 1: Mash your bananas. I like to use a fork and usually pop the bananas in a microwave for about 20 seconds before mashing so they’re easier to work with.
  • Step 2: Whisk in your wet ingredients until smooth: honey, applesauce, egg white + coconut oil.
  • Step 3: Add in your dry ingredients: wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices.
  • Step 4: Add in chocolate chips and walnuts (the best part!!) You can omit walnuts if you have a nut allergy or don’t like them. Pecans also work.
  • Step 6: Pour batter in a greased 8×4 loaf pan. See below for tips on how to not get your bread to stick to the pan. Bake per instructions.

Healthy Banana Bread in a loaf pan baked out of the oven.

To me, banana bread is not only delicious, but brings back such great memories. Growing my grandma would often make mini banana loaf cakes for me, and I can remember enjoying it before I went to school in the mornings.

She still makes these cakes for us, and they’re still just as delicious, but I love my own twist on her recipe with this Healthy Banana Bread recipe!

Healthy Banana Bread with peanut butter being spread on to the bread.

Whether you enjoy this healthy banana bread for a breakfast treat or with a cup of coffee as an afternoon snack – I think you’ll find that it’s tasty and comforting. The warm gooey chocolate chips + crunchy walnuts add even more flavor and fun to it!

Healthy Banana Bread broken in half with peanut butter spread on it.

Substitutions for this Healthy Banana Bread Recipe:

My bananas aren’t ripe.. can I still make this Healthy Banana Bread?

Yes you can. For best results, your bananas should be brown and spotty like in the photos. As bananas ripen they get sweeter and softer, making them perfect for banana bread! However, as long as your bananas aren’t green, you can make this recipe. Yellow bananas will work just fine. I recommend microwaving them for about 20-30 seconds so they are easier to mash!

Healthy Banana Bread with peanut butter on it.

How to store banana bread:

You can store this bread covered on your counter for a few days, but I recommend keeping it in the refrigerator for maximum freshness!

My banana bread is sticking to the pan..help!

I typically grease my pan liberally with coconut oil. You can also line a pan with parchment paper . Allow the bread to cool completely for about one hour before trying to take it out of the pan. You can also run a butter knife along the edges of the pan to help loosen the bread before taking it out.

Healthy Banana Bread cut into slices on a blue background with bananas, chocolate chips + linen off to the side.

More Healthy Bread Recipes:

Healthy Banana Bread in a loaf pan baked out of the oven.
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5 from 11 votes

Healthy Banana Bread

Healthy Banana Bread is made with just a few simple, nutritious ingredients. Easy to make + full of flavor - it's perfect for breakfast or snacking!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword clean eating banana bread, healthy banana bread
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 291kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a greased 8x4 loaf pan. 
  • In a bowl, mash bananas with a fork until slightly clumpy. You can microwave them for 20 seconds prior to mashing to make it easier.
  • Stir in honey, applesauce, egg white, and oil to banana mixture. 
  • Add in whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and spices
  • Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips.
  • Pour batter into greased 8x4 loaf pan. Optional: sprinkle with a handful of chips and walnuts on top. Bake for 40 -45 minutes until a toothpick or cake tester comes out completely clean when inserted in the center of the bread.
  • Allow the bread to cool for 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Video

Notes

Substitutions for this Healthy Banana Bread Recipe:
-To make gluten free: replace whole wheat flour with Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour
-To make vegan: replace 1 egg white with 1 flax egg. Sub honey with maple syrup
-To make nut free: simply omit walnuts.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Banana Bread
Amount Per Serving (1 slice (out of 8))
Calories 291 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 152mg 6%
Potassium 307mg 9%
Total Carbohydrates 39g 13%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
Sugars 22g
Protein 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1%
Vitamin C 4.4%
Calcium 5.2%
Iron 6.2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looking for help with eating healthy?Check out our 4 Weeks of Clean Eating Guide!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  5. Jenn

    October 24, 2018 at 10:36 am


    I’ve made this almost once a week since the first time I tried it! I nanny for 2 VERY picky eaters and they request this banana bread all the time. It’s so easy to make and absolutely delicious!

    Reply

  7. Anonymous

    November 8, 2018 at 6:51 am

    it cannot be 280 calories. it maybe yummy, but so are other high calorie cakes. good way to make money referring products (doesnt matter if you have mentioned that you have affilite links in bold or not) and misleading people

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      November 8, 2018 at 7:26 am

      Hi There! I think you’re misunderstanding. Regarding the nutrition facts, I’m not misleading anyone. Here’s a link to the nutrition fact calculation on myfitness pal where you can see ALL the ingredients are clearly measured and calculated to give accurate nutrition information. The bread is 280 calories per serving, and you will get 8 servings per loaf (which is also clearly stated) https://www.myfitnesspal.com/recipe/view/98285959147261

      It’s linked within the blog post, and I would never ‘mislead’ someone by posting a false nutrition label. That would be ridiculous

      As for the affiliate links – I’m sorry they bothered you, but quite frankly – this is my job and if I want to make a small commission by linking products on my website where I’m providing you with FREE content, I’m going to continue to do so. I clearly disclaim that there are affiliate links, as you noticed.

      Lastly, I just wanted to remind you that when you type out nasty comments behind your computer screen that there is a REAL person that reads them. Have you ever heard the saying if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all? If not – maybe you consider putting that into practice.

      Have an awesome day!

      Reply

      • Varnica

        March 31, 2019 at 10:33 pm


        I LOVE your banana bread recipe! have basically been making the same thing, but adding the applesauce was a game changer! Also, got to say, I love your response to the nasty comment above. Your site is awesome!

        Reply

  8. Tina Marie

    November 12, 2018 at 8:22 am


    These turned out great as mini muffins! I used a chia egg and pure maple syrup, and left out the nuts and chocolate. The tops get a nice crispy texture and they are so moist!!! My toddler loves them and I’m happy because there’s no refined sugar. I will definitely be checking out some more of your recipes! Thank you!

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      November 12, 2018 at 8:36 am

      I’m so glad you and your little one like them, Tina! I’m going to have to try it with a chia egg and in mini muffin form! Such a fun way to enjoy it 🙂

      Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      January 2, 2019 at 7:10 am

      It’s just peanut butter 🙂 You don’t have to put anything on it, but peanut butter is delicious!

      Reply

  11. Annie

    February 7, 2019 at 9:15 am


    I have made this banana bread soo many times and I have to say it’s delicious and I love that there it is naturally sweetened. My kids, 18 month old twins and my 3 year old love it soo much. My 3 year old actually helps to make it and gets soo excited about it, lol. Anyways, thank you for a wonderful recipe. Keep them coming!!!!

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      March 24, 2019 at 11:45 am

      Hi Mare – I’m sorry but I’m not sure why that would happen. I’ve had hundreds of people make this recipe with no issues! Are you sure you used the correct ingredients + baked it at the right temperature?

      Reply

  13. Amanda

    May 17, 2019 at 11:05 am


    I had a couple bananas that were getting too ripe and I wanted to make a healthier banana bread. I am so glad I came across this recipe. I made it for the first time yesterday and it came out great. I also loved that this recipe didn’t require dumping sugar and butter in it! The whole family loved it and I will be making it again for sure.

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      May 19, 2019 at 5:10 pm

      I’m so glad you liked it, Amanda!! You totally don’t need a bunch of butter/sugar for a delicious treat!

      Reply

  14. Nadine

    June 8, 2019 at 4:37 pm


    Absolutely loved this recipe! Easy to follow, and tasted so yummy! Definitely be making it again! 😋

    Reply

  15. Melissa Levato

    June 12, 2019 at 10:18 am


    My kids and I love to make this banana bread. We leave out the nuts, personal preference. It is usually only around for the day!

    Reply

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