Healthy Banana Bread
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Healthy Banana Bread is a delicious, low calorie treat! Made with applesauce, this clean eating banana bread is perfect for dessert! No refined sugar necessary for this super healthy banana bread – it’s delicious all on its own!
This post was originally shared in 2017 but has since been updated.
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 ripe bananas, a touch of honey, and applesauce —no refined sugar here! Coconut oil keeps the bread moist and tender, and if you’d like, you can add chopped walnuts for extra crunch and heart-healthy fats.
Made with whole wheat flour and pantry staples, it’s easy to whip up and guaranteed to become a favorite in your house.
Liz’s tip for the best banana bread
- “Help! My banana bread is sticking to the pan”: I typically grease my loaf pan really well with coconut oil, and you can also line a pan with parchment paper. Allow the bread to cool completely for about one hour before running a butter knife along the edges of the pan to help loosen the bread before taking it out.
- Use overripe bananas: Bananas that are brown and spotty are ideal for banana bread, as they provide natural sweetness and moisture. If your bananas aren’t fully ripe, you can microwave them for 20-30 seconds to soften them, making them easier to mash and incorporate into the batter.
- Allow the bread to cool before slicing: After baking, let the banana bread cool for at least an hour before removing it from the pan. This gives the bread time to set, which helps prevent it from falling apart when you cut into it.
Ingredients
Substitutions
Bananas: If you’re short on bananas, you can substitute them with a little bit of applesauce or pumpkin puree. If you have extra bananas, try our Healthy Banana Pancakes or Banana “Nice” Cream!
Honey: You can substitute honey with pure maple syrup.
Applesauce: I have not tried making this banana bread recipe without applesauce so I’m not sure how it would work. You might be able to substitute yogurt or pumpkin but without testing it I can’t be sure. If you want a pumpkin bread recipe, try this Healthy Pumpkin Bread!
Eggs/To make vegan: Replace 1 egg white with 1 flax egg. Sub honey with maple syrup.
Coconut Oil: You can replace coconut oil with extra-virgin olive oil or melted butter. Canola oil will also work but we don’t recommend cooking with canola oil.
Flour: It’s best to make this banana bread with whole wheat flour, as the recipe recommends. You can also use regular white flour, but your bread might be a little more dense. I would not recommend almond flour, coconut flour, or oat flour- they will not work. Coconut and almond flour can never be replaced 1:1 with regular flour. Try finding an almond flour banana bread recipe instead!
To make gluten-free: I haven’t tried making this bread gluten free but others have used Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Flour and had success. If you try it, let me know! Try at your own risk though, gluten free baking is a science!
Spices: You can omit the ginger and nutmeg if you don’t have any. Add a little bit more cinnamon to compensate!
Healthy Banana Muffins: To make 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. You can also try our Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins or Protein Muffin Recipe
Mini Loaves: I haven’t tried making this healthy banana bread 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.
Nuts: You can use chopped pecans instead of walnuts or skip the nuts to make this bread nut free.
Lower Sugar: Skip the chocolate chips if you want a lower sugar banana bread. They’re optional.
Vanilla Extract: You can add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for extra flavor if you’d like.
Zucchini: To up the nutritional benefits, try our Zucchini Banana Bread, which is the perfect mix of this recipe and Zucchini Bread.
How to make Healthy Banana Bread
- Mix together wet ingredients. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.
- Pour batter into greased 8×4 loaf pan.
- Bake for 40 -45 minutes until a toothpick or cake tester comes out completely clean when inserted in the center of the bread
To me, banana bread is not only delicious but brings back such great memories- banana cake is my Gram’s specialty!
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.
Storage
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 its freshness after about 3 days on the counter.
How to freeze Banana Bread: You can slice this bread and individually wrap slices in plastic wrap or freeze banana bread whole. To defrost a whole loaf – take it out the night before you’d like to enjoy it and let it thaw 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.
Low Calorie Banana Bread vs Regular Banana Bread
This homemade banana bread has 230 calories per slice. It has 35g of carbs, 10g of fat, and 3g of protein.
Most banana bread recipes have 400 calories per slice, 60g of carbs, and closer to 12-15g of fat.
Healthy Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups ripe mashed bananas about 3 bananas
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup coconut oil melted + cooled to room temp
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 egg white
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips optional
- ½ cup chopped walnuts optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a greased 8×4 loaf pan.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, mash bananas with a fork until slightly clumpy. You can microwave them for 20 seconds prior to mashing to make it easier.
- Add the applesauce, melted coconut oil, honey, and egg white to the mashed bananas. Mix until combined.
- Add whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger to the bowl. Gently mix until combined.
- Fold in walnuts and chocolate chips if using
- Pour batter into greased 8×4 loaf pan. Optional: sprinkle with a handful of chocolate 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 before slicing. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.
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!!!
Thank you so much, Amanda! So glad your family enjoyed it!
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!
Thank you so much, Melanie! So glad you both liked it 🙂
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!
Thanks, Kayla! Glad you’re enjoying it 🙂
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!!
So glad you liked it, Jenna! Love that you turned them into muffins too!
I made the gluten free version as muffins and they were delicious! Super moist and were a hit with the kiddos as well.
So glad you liked it, Liv!
Great recipe, I make mine gluten free 🙂 thanks for an awesome site, I reference it often for meal planning.
Thanks, Tegan! What flour do you typically use to make it gluten free?
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.
Glad you liked it, Kelly! And that the flour sub worked 🙂 Enjoy!!
Tried this and the whole family loved it!! Always great when there is a recipe everyone loves.
So glad you enjoyed it, Toni!
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!!
Thanks Nikki!! So glad you enjoyed it.. it’s hard to eat just one piece 🙂
Im making this again right now because im craving it!! haha 😀
Yay!! So glad you like it, Nikki!
Can you freeze the loaf? I’m planning on making three loaves.
It’s delicious BTW! I make mine with a nut flour blend.
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!
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!
I’m so glad you like it, Brianne!! Thank you so much!
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!!!
I’m so glad you liked it, Theresa! The dark chocolate cocoa sounds like a yummy addition!
Would this be good for a diabetic?
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.
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!
It makes me so happy to hear that you + your kids love this! Thank you so much, Melissa!
Absolutely loved this recipe! Easy to follow, and tasted so yummy! Definitely be making it again! 😋
Thank you so much, Nadine!! I’m glad you liked the banana bread!
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.
I’m so glad you liked it, Amanda!! You totally don’t need a bunch of butter/sugar for a delicious treat!
Followed the recipe exactly as stated but bread was extremely dry,any suggestions? Thanks !
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?
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!!!!
I’m so glad you like it, Annie!! And that your kids love it 🙂 That makes me so happy to hear!
I like to put peanut butter on banana bread too. So good haha 🙂
Totally!! It makes it sooo much yummier!
What is the spread you put on the banana bread?
Thanks
It’s just peanut butter 🙂 You don’t have to put anything on it, but peanut butter is delicious!
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!
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 🙂
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
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!
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!
I’m so glad you like it, Varnica!! And thank you LOL! Mean people are the worst!
My kids and I love this banana bread! My kids ask to make this all the time.
So glad you and your family like it, Morgan! Thank you so much!
Can you substitute almond flour?
No, please read the green substitutions section. almond flour will not work!
So easy to throw together! Hands down my favorite banana bread recipe. I bought bananas last week on purpose to let them brown and make this today! So delicious! And healthy!!
So glad you like it, Alex! Thank you!!
Can’t wait to make this recipe again! This healthy banana bread is so good and easy to make!
It’s one of my favorites too! I’m so glad you like it 🙂
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!
So glad you like it, Jenn!! Love that your picky eaters love it too 🙂
We’ve made this banana bread a handful of times! It is such a yummy recipe and I love that it’s low in sugars!
I’m so glad you like it!! 🙂
Love this recipe! So easy & delicious. We make it often; as soon as our bananas get too ripe to eat, this banana bread is made.
Thank you Toni! Glad you like it! It’s the perfect way to use up bananas 🙂