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Say hello to the best and most simple Healthy Banana Bread recipe out there. This is not your average banana bread (although that’s great, too!), this recipe is made with natural ingredients like coconut oil and coconut sugar. It also includes wholesome flour options, like gluten free flour and whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour. The end result is delicious, no matter what. I promise!

Homemade banana bread in a metal loaf pan, freshly baked and golden brown, perfect for breakfast or snack.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple ingredients: This recipe is very straightforward when it comes to ingredients. You most likely will have all of them in your pantry right this very second.
Choice of flour: Gluten-free, whole wheat or all-purpose all work. Choose your flour path!
Moist, soft, and flavorful: No butter, but instead coconut oil. It keeps the bread so moist. The addition of cinnamon and vanilla add flavor.
Optional add-ins: Banana bread is basically a blank canvas. It can handle all kinds of add-ins like raisins, walnuts, pecans, chocolate chips, chia seeds, flaxseed and more.

If you love banana bread and want some more options, I have a few other recipes I think you will enjoy! Check out my cinnamon swirl banana bread and Nutella banana bread.

Moist banana bread loaf with nuts on parchment paper, fresh baked and sliced, showcasing its dense texture and golden-brown crust. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.

Healthy Banana Bread Ingredients

Flour (all-purpose, whole wheat or gluten free): all of them work in this recipe and the result is delicious. I suggest using a cup for cup GF flour like this one.
Baking powder – to help the bread rise.
Salt – to balance all the flavors.
Cinnamon – because yum.
Egg – the binder for all the ingredients.
Coconut oil – to help with moisture. Refined or unrefined will work in this recipe. What’s the difference? Unrefined tastes like coconut and refined doesn’t. You can’t really tell the difference in this recipe, though.
Coconut sugar – for sweetness.
Vanilla extract – for warmth and flavor.

Sweet banana bread loaf on a light gray surface with a serrated knife and a soft striped cloth in the background. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, this moist, homemade banana bread features ripe bananas and warm spices.

How to Make This Recipe

This healthy banana bread is insanely easy to make. Let’s check it out.

Step 1: Preheat the oven and prepare the loaf pan – Either spray it with a non-stick baking spray or line it with parchment paper. The parchment paper should hang over the sides of the pan so it’s easy to lift the bread out. If the parchment paper does not hang over all the sides of the pan, make sure to spray the sides with non-stick baking spray.

Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients – Mash the bananas in a large bowl. Add the coconut oil, egg, coconut sugar and vanilla. Whisk well.

Step 3: Add the dry ingredients – Using a rubber spatula, stir in the flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon just until combined. Do not over mix!

Step 4: Stir in optional add-ins – This is the time when you would add chocolate chips, dried fruit or nuts.

Step 5: Pour and bake – Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 35-45 minutes. Check at 35 minutes. If the top is browning too much, tent a piece of aluminum foil on top. Continue baking until it is cooked through. You can test with a toothpick or knife. Insert it into the center of the bread. If it comes out clean, it’s done!

Tips for the Best Banana Bread

Use extra ripe bananas – they offer the best flavor and sweetness. They can literally be brown.
Don’t over mix the batter – over mixing can use tough bread. Not what we want!
Tent with foil – The tops of breads or cakes often burn in loaf pans while baking. This is very common. Tenting foil on top towards the end of baking prevents this.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I store it?

Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. It can last up to a week in the refrigerator. In the freezer, it can be stored for up to 3 months. If freezing, wrap with freezer friendly plastic wrap, foil and then place in a freezer bag.

What add-ins taste the best?

This is all based on preference. My personal favorite are chia seeds, flaxseed and semi-sweet chocolate chips. I like to add chia seeds and flaxseed for a more nutrient dense bread. I don’t really taste a difference which is great for kids! I love the melty pockets of chocolate chips throughout the bread. It feels and tastes a little more like a dessert while also being nutritious. Great with coffee!

What’s the difference between all purpose flour, whole wheat flour and gluten free flour in this recipe?

Whole wheat will offer a hearty, nutty flavor.
All-purpose will give you that classic banana bread texture and flavor. A little fluffier as well.
Gluten free flour will stay moist and delicious. The texture will be more gritty but it stays tender.

Final Thoughts

This healthy moist banana bread is proof that comfort food can be wholesome too. It’s made with natural ingredients, has flexible add-in options and most importantly it tastes great. No matter what flour you choose to make it with, you can feel good about enjoying this banana bread recipe!

Healthy Banana Bread | www.stuckonsweet.com

Yield: 1 loaf