Banana bread is one of our favorite sweet treats to bake. We adapted the classic recipe into a healthier alternative that still tastes indulgent. All it takes is a few simple swaps of ingredients! It can be made gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free to appease all dietary preferences. Customize it further by adding your favorite mix-ins!
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil (olive oil or any neutral flavored oil works too)
- ½ cup Sunnymede Farms maple syrup
- 2 eggs* (sub flax egg if vegan – see below)
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 ½ medium or 2 large bananas)
- ¼ cup milk of choice (we like almond milk)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda (NOT baking powder)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ¾ cups whole wheat flour (sub with 1:1 gluten-free flour if needed – we like Bob’s Red Mill)
- Optional but recommended: ½ cup mix-ins like chopped pecans or chocolate chips (measure with your heart).
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, beat the oil and maple syrup together with a whisk. Add the eggs (or flax eggs) and beat well. Whisk in the mashed bananas and milk. (If using solid coconut oil it may solidify when adding cold ingredients. Warm for about 10 seconds in the microwave or let sit on top of a warm stove until dissolved.)
- Blend in baking soda, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in flour until just combined. Fold in mix-ins if desired.
- Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan and sprinkle lightly with cinnamon. Run the tip of a knife across the batter in a zig-zag pattern to make a swirl.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let rest until cool before slicing.
- Can also be served with fresh strawberries, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Tips/Notes
To make a flax egg alternative, combine 1 tbsp of flaxseed meal to 2.5 tbsp of water in a small dish. Stir and let rest for 5 minutes to thicken. This will equal 1 real egg.
