Healthy Banana Bread (Less Sugar, Whole Wheat Option)

What Makes This Recipe Work

Ripe bananas bring sweetness and moisture, Greek yogurt and oil keep the crumb tender, and whole wheat flour adds nutty flavor and fiber. A slightly looser batter is normal here and is what keeps a lower-sugar loaf from turning dry.

Ingredients for Healthy Banana Bread (Less Sugar, Whole Wheat Option)

• 1 1/2 cups (340 g) mashed very ripe bananas, about 3 to 4 large bananas
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) honey or pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup (60 g) plain Greek yogurt or unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup (56 g) melted coconut oil or olive oil
• 2 large eggs (100 g)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120 g) whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup (95 g) all-purpose flour, or oat flour for more whole grain
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (60 g) chopped walnuts (optional)

How to Make Healthy Banana Bread (Less Sugar, Whole Wheat Option)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan, or line it with parchment.
2. Whisk the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
3. Mash the bananas in a large bowl, then whisk in the honey or maple syrup, Greek yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, then fold in the walnuts if using. The batter will be slightly looser than a full sugar loaf.
5. Pour the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake 50 to 60 minutes, until the loaf is golden and springy and a toothpick in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, or the center reads 200 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Cool in the pan 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool fully before slicing.

Tips for the Best Healthy Banana Bread (Less Sugar, Whole Wheat Option)

• Bananas carry most of the sweetness here, so use very brown, speckled ones for the best flavor.
• Swap white sugar for honey or maple one to one by volume, but reduce any added liquid by 1 tablespoon since liquid sweeteners add moisture.
• Whole wheat flour absorbs more water, so a slightly looser batter is normal and keeps the loaf tender.
• Add chopped nuts or a tablespoon of ground flax for texture and a little extra protein.

Variations and Substitutions

• Replace all the flour with white whole wheat for a fully whole grain loaf.
• Use applesauce in place of the Greek yogurt for a dairy free option.
• Skip the nuts and stir in 1/2 cup (85 g) dark chocolate chips for a treat that still uses less sugar.
• Try the healthy take with pumpkin puree in place of half the banana for a pumpkin banana loaf.

How to Store and Reheat

• Wrap cooled slices and refrigerate up to 5 days, or keep at room temperature up to 2 days.
• Freeze slices for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature.

Healthy Banana Bread (Less Sugar, Whole Wheat Option) FAQ