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Healthy Banana Bread

Dairy Free
|
WW Freestyle Points 9
|
Calories 291kcal

103 Comments

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Simple Healthy Banana Bread is made with a few nutritious ingredients like whole wheat flour & applesauce. Easy to make-it’s great for breakfast or a snack! No refined sugar necessary for this super healthy banana bread – it’s delicious all on it’s own!

Healthy Banana Bread sliced on a white dish

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my policy and more about affiliate links. This post was originally shared in 2017 but has since been updated with helpful tips.

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?

This banana bread is still a treat, but it’s much healthier than regular banana bread!

  • 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 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!

You might be wondering.. why is banana bread bad for you? Typical banana bread is loaded with sugar, high in fat, and won’t really do much to keep you full. This banana bread is so much better for you!

Is banana bread good for weight loss? Not really. Any bread is going to be high in carbs and sugar. This combo doesn’t often keep you full and can make you crave more sweets, so if you’re looking to lose weight – banana bread every day probably isn’t the best thing for you. However – we believe in all things in moderation!

Is banana bread healthier than normal bread? Not really. Banana bread has more calories, sugar and fat than a regular slice of bread. 

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

Ingredients for Simple Healthy Banana Bread:

To make this bread you’ll need bananas, coconut oil, honey, an egg, applesauce, flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda. Nutmeg, ground ginger, chocolate chips and walnuts are all optional!

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

How to make super healthy banana bread:

Making this low sugar banana bread SO easy. First, gather all your ingredients.

Step 2: 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.

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

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!

Is banana bread a healthy snack? In moderation, yes! We wouldn’t eat this bread every day – but it’s a fun healthy snack from time to time!

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

Substitutions for this Super Healthy Banana Bread Recipe:

There are a bunch of different substitutions for this healthy banana bread recipe. Work with whatever you have in your pantry/fridge!

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.

Honey : You can substitute honey with maple syrup.

Flour: You can replace whole wheat flour with white flour but your bread might be a little more dense. I would not recommend almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour

Spices: You can omit the ginger and nutmeg if you don’t have any. Add a little bit more cinnamon to compensate!

Nuts: You can use pecans instead of walnuts

Healthy Banana Bread Muffins: Pour the batter into greased or lined muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the muffin.

Mini Loaves – I haven’t tried making this recipe into mini loaves, but I think it would work! Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf pan.

My bananas aren’t ripe.. can I still make this Simple 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:

Storing 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! It will last up to a week in the refrigerator – but will lose it’s freshness after about 3 days on the counter.

How to freeze Banana Bread: You can slice this bread and individually wrap it or freeze it whole. To defrost a whole loaf – take it out the night before you’d like to enjoy it and set it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve – pop in the microwave. If you’re defrosting a single slice, you can put it directly in the microwave or toaster oven until it is warm.

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:

We love baking healthier breads. Here are some of our favorites!

Healthy Banana Bread in a loaf pan baked out of the oven.
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4.74 from 50 votes

Healthy Banana Bread

Simple Healthy Banana Bread is made with a few nutritious ingredients like whole wheat flour & applesauce. Easy to make-it's great for breakfast or a snack!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword clean eating banana bread, healthy banana bread, simple healthy banana bread
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 291kcal
WW Freestyle Points 9
Author The Clean Eating Couple

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.
 
WW Freestyle Note: Save 2SP per serving by omitting walnuts/chocolate. Points calculated using Lily's Dark Chocolate Chips

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
Healthy Banana Bread
Amount Per Serving (1 slice (out of 8))
Calories 291 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 8g50%
Cholesterol 1mg0%
Sodium 152mg7%
Potassium 307mg9%
Carbohydrates 39g13%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 22g24%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 50IU1%
Vitamin C 3.6mg4%
Calcium 52mg5%
Iron 1.1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Comments

  5. Jenn

    5 stars
    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

    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

      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

        5 stars
        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

    5 stars
    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

      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

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

      Reply

  11. Annie

    5 stars
    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

      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

    5 stars
    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

      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

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

    Reply

  15. Melissa Levato

    5 stars
    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

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      Hi Dawn – I’m not a nutritionist/dietitian. You’d need to do your own research on if this is an appropriate treat for a diabetic as I’m not sure.

      Reply

  17. Theresa

    5 stars
    First time making your recipe! My boys requested banana bread and I came across your clean eating (low sugar!! Yay!!) recipe! I even threw in dark chocolate cocoa that I had available:) So Yum!! Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      I’m so glad you liked it, Theresa! The dark chocolate cocoa sounds like a yummy addition!

      Reply

  18. Brianne

    5 stars
    The best banana bread! Throwing out the recipe I’ve been using for years! Don’t need it! The ginger is such a fun flavor surprise, and the loaf came out so moist! Love!! Will be on the rotation!

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      Hi Joanna! So glad you like the bread. I haven’t ever frozen it, but I don’t see why it would be a problem. I’d just defrost it the night before you want to serve, or however you normally defrost breads!

      Reply

  20. Nikki

    5 stars
    This bread is soooo frickin delicious! I made it to have a piece with my coffee this morning and ate half the loaf and had to stop myself from eating more!! But I dont even feel guilty for eating it because its pretty dang healthy!! So go make this right away!!

    Reply

  21. Kelly

    5 stars
    Very yummy recipe! I love me a good banana bread and this did not disappoint. I did not have whole wheat flour so I just used regular AP flour (insert gasp here haha) and it turned out just fine! Super moist – to the point where I questioned if it was cooked all the way through. And my daughter decided on 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to add to it! 🙂 Will definitely make again.

    Reply

  22. Tegan

    5 stars
    Great recipe, I make mine gluten free 🙂 thanks for an awesome site, I reference it often for meal planning.

    Reply

  23. Liv

    5 stars
    I made the gluten free version as muffins and they were delicious! Super moist and were a hit with the kiddos as well.

    Reply

  24. Jenna R

    5 stars
    I love that this recipe had very few ingredients, is so flavorful and MOIST (I know everyone hates that word but come on it’s banana bread!). I’ve also made it into muffins and just kept an eye on them because they bake in 1/4 of the time and they are delicious. Recipe also freezes very well!!

    Reply

  25. Kayla D.

    5 stars
    So Good! Love that it does not have any added sugar yet still sweet and delicious! Super easy comes together fast! Have made it twice in the past week!

    Reply

  26. Melanie

    5 stars
    Loved this recipe! Texture and flavor was spot on. I usually make banana bread with chocolate chips only, but I love how this one combines the two. Really nice balance of flavors. And my husband approved!

    Reply

  27. Amanda Kass

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, loved this banana bread so much! I made some for my husband and me, my dad, and my grandma. I just can’t help myself to keep sharing this recipe to others. YUM!!!

    Reply

  28. Elizabeth Taylor

    5 stars
    This is the best! I never thought about adding chocolate chips into banana bread but it really adds such a yummy touch to the bread! You would never know this doesn’t have sugar in it! So sweet and delicious!

    Reply

  31. Adela

    5 stars
    Perfect recipe for our taste. I’ve made several banana breads with different recipes. There is one that I loved but it was too complicated and too much work. Your recipe however was easy, used all natural ingredients, and very, very delicious. This is a keeper recipe and will be the one to use on a regular basis. Thank you.

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      Thanks, Adela! We try to keep all of our recipes simple, easy to make and delicious 🙂

      Reply

  33. Toni

    5 stars
    Love this recipe! It is so easy to make & delicious to eat. As soon as we have ripe bananas; this ricipe is made. 👍👍

    Reply

  34. Paula Dubecky

    5 stars
    Best banana bread ever.! Used Bibs 1:1 GF flour so my GF daughter could eat it. It was so good our family of 5 ate it in 1 day. Next time I’ll make a couple loaves!

    Reply

  35. Monica Maxwell

    5 stars
    The best banana bread I’ve ever made! Love it with chocolate chips. Kids love it too, they usually eat it all before I get one slice. Thanks!

    Reply

  37. 'Tara Flanagan'

    5 stars
    Who doesn’t love banana bread with chocolate chips? Easy to make and with more healthful ingredients than many bb recipes, this bread tastes soooooo good. The applesauce gives it a soft sweetness and lovely, moist texture, I tossed in some chia seeds just for fun.

    Reply

  38. Katie

    Can I use canned pumpkin in place of banana for this? How would I adapt the cooking times if I wanted to make muffins instead of bread, or would it cook the same?

    Reply

    • The Clean Eating Couple

      I have not tried using canned pumpkin in this so I’m not sure. If you’re looking for a pumpkin muffin recipe – try this one!

      As for muffins – it’s noted in the substituions: Healthy Banana Bread Muffins: Pour the batter into greased or lined muffin tins. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the muffin.

      Reply

  39. Tianna

    5 stars
    SO GOOD. There are a million banana bread recipes out there but I love that this one has all good ingredients that you feel much better/healthier about eating. It was delish would definitely make again!

    Reply

  40. Cate

    5 stars
    This bread is SO GOOD! I always get nervous making “healthy” versions of baked goods, but I will continue to make this recipe again and again.

    Reply

  41. Nichole

    5 stars
    I seen a few other recipes for banana bread the other day and I remembered it has been a little while since I last made a quad batch. With growing, always hungry teen boys multiple loaves is a must! This banana bread is inhaled by them that I I don’t even mention it’s healthy! Pros sky wouldn’t matter anyways!! They love it and now this is definitely on the baking list when it will feel like fall next week!!

    Reply

  43. Abby

    5 stars
    This is seriously the BESTTT banana bread recipe I’ve ever tried. Ok, ok. You read those comments on other blogs/recipes/reviews, etc but this banana bread recipe is the most delicious bread in all the land. If you don’t give it a try you will miss out. I make this all. the. time. Make it! Thank you Liz for gracing us with this recipe ☺️

    Reply

  45. Carrie

    5 stars
    This was a really easy recipe. My kids loved it and it was really tasty and moist. Definitely making again, it was gone in 1 day!

    Reply
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