Everyone has searched for a healthy and delicious banana bread recipe ever since the loaf's boom over the past few years, and they honestly deserve it. It's the perfect answer for when you're looking for something sweet and filling. Plus, it doesn’t sacrifice taste for nutrients.
How Bananas Are Healthy and Delicious
Baked goods have their ups and downs regarding how good they are for your body and mind. Banana bread is no exception, using quite a considerable amount of sugar. However, the main component of this loaf that provides sweetness and melds everything together is the bananas.
And luckily for us, bananas are a fantastic ingredient with many health benefits. For instance, they provide fiber and starch that improve your digestive system. They also contain potassium, which regulates blood pressure and helps heart health.
The Healthy Banana Bread Batter Recipe
A healthy and delicious banana bread starts with the right batter. This recipe is pretty uncomplicated since it’s easy to adjust the steps or add a couple of your own. Customize and achieve a baked good that hits all the marks you need.
1. Gather Your Ingredients and Materials
For materials, you need two bowls, one large enough to hold all your batter batter. A fork is great for mashing your fruit, but you can also opt for a food processor instead. A whisk is also ideal for your mixtures. As for the ingredients, prepare the following:
Bananas
Eggs
Milk
Olive Oil
Whole wheat flour
Baking soda
Cinnamon powder
Brown sugar
Salt
Vanilla Extract
2. Whisk Together Your Dry Ingredients
Whisk together one and a half cups of whole wheat flour, a teaspoon of baking soda, half a cup of brown sugar and a fourth of a teaspoon of salt in one of your bowls. A teaspoon of cinnamon and other spices are optional, depending on the aromatics and flavors you want your banana bred to have. Put this bowl to the side.
3. Bring Together Your Wet Mixture
Mash up your bananas and add them to your larger bowl. Three big ones should be enough, but use four or five if your fruits are smaller. Crack and add two large eggs into your wet mixture. Follow it up with a fourth cup of milk, a third cup of olive oil, and vanilla extract before mixing well. The consistency should be somewhat thick.
4. Combine Your Wet and Dry Bowls
Once your wet mixture looks good, grab your bowl of dry ingredients and combine everything. If you’re hand-mixing, add your dry mix in increments and stir in between. Taking your time will ensure that the final product is well-mixed. If it seems too wet, add a dash of milk to balance it out. When it is too dry, mix in some extra flour.
Elevating Your Banana Bread
The instructions above give you an excellent bread batter that's ready to bake. However, we have a couple of tips that you may want to consider to make your banana bread recipe healthy and delicious.
1. Use Ripened Bananas
Ripe bananas are ideal for your banana bread since they contain more moisture than fresh ones. They are still able to contribute the same nutrients. In addition to that, they’re much easier to turn to mush for your batter.
If you don’t have any ripe bananas, add what you have to your paper bag with a ripe apple. Your bananas will be brown and ready by morning. Another alternative would be to bake them with the skin at 300 degrees for around 15 minutes.
2. Substitute Honey for Sugar
Some people are conscious about sugar in baked goods, but it’s necessary to help your banana sweeten the loaf. One healthy alternative that you can try is natural honey. Much like your fruits, they can aid your digestion health. Its liquid form can also offer a bit of moisture to your banana bread when it’s baked.
3. Mix In Some Greek Yogurt
Speaking of moist, some people try to incorporate sour cream or mayonnaise into their banana bread. Another thick cream to consider for your bread batter is Greek yogurt. It makes the consistency of your loaf soft and dense in the best way. It also pairs well with bananas in helping out your gut and lowering blood pressure.
4. Add Extra Ingredients On Top
The best banana bread always has toppings on it. There are countless options, but some of the most popular choices are:
Nuts: Nuts add a wonderful texture to your banana bread and balance the sweetness. They also offer a good amount of fiber. Cut a few almonds in half or break apart walnuts when incorporating this ingredient into your batter.
Oats: Some people like to mix bananas into their oatmeal, so it makes sense to pair them together the other way around. If you want to add a crunch to your banana bread, toast your oats before sprinkling them on top.
Raisins: Raisins are delectable dried grapes that go well in healthy baked goods. They are rich in iron and anti-oxidants, making them a definite must-try.
Chocolate Chips: Dark chocolate chips are healthy in moderation since they improve brain function. It doesn’t hurt that they go perfectly with banana bread, either.
More Banana: If you want to commit to using banana as a main ingredient, use it as a topping, too. Slice the banana lengthwise and lay it on your batter before baking.
5. Skip the Microwave
Microwaves are relatively safe alternatives to an oven, but their temperature doesn’t go over 212 degrees in many models. While it can cook your banana bread to a certain degree, the limitations will require more math and wait time. It’s better to go with your oven instead.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees before baking your batter for 50 minutes. The cooking time can vary, so use a toothpick to check the center of your loaf. If it comes out dry, it means your banana bread is ready.
6. Store Properly
To keep your banana bread fresh, let it cool for an hour or two. Once it’s ready, transfer the loaf to an airtight container lined with a paper towel. Add another napkin on top before sealing and keeping it at room temperature. The paper towels help regulate the moisture in your bread.
Recreate This Healthy and Yummy Banana Bread
There is no doubt that banana bread can be good for both your body and your cravings when you take the right steps. Enjoy substituting certain ingredients and customizing the loaf recipe to your liking. Happy baking!
