Healthy Banana Bread - Whole Wheat & Naturally Sweetened

Moist, tender, and full of banana flavor, this recipe for Healthy Banana Bread is made with whole grains, naturally sweetened, and lower in fat, yet just as delicious as the classic recipe.

Healthier Yet Just as Delicious

Healthy baked goods can get a bad rap. Most are dry, flavorless, or have an artificial taste due to artificial sugar replacements. This healthy banana bread recipe, along with my recipes for Whole Wheat Zucchini Bread and Healthy Blueberry Muffins, proves that just because a recipe is better for you, it should not sacrifice taste or texture.

Instead of being made with copious amounts of refined sugar, this recipe for banana bread is naturally sweetened with simply overripe bananas and honey. Not only does this combination give the bread just the right amount of sweetness, but it also adds moisture to the banana bread. That moisture keeps the banana bread light and fluffy even though it is made with whole grains. It also cuts back on the amount of oil needed, which keeps this recipe low in fat.

Even though this recipe is healthier, it truly is the best recipe for Banana Bread--perfectly sweet, tender, and full of banana flavor.

Notes on Ingredients

• Flour: In place of all-purpose flour, use whole white wheat flour or 100% whole wheat flour both work for this recipe. Whole white wheat will keep the bread a bit lighter and the flavors of banana more pronounced--and don't worry it is still 100% whole grains! 
• Oil/Butter: Because of the number of mashed bananas added to this bread, only ¼ cup of oil is needed. Feel free to use canola oil, melted butter, or melted coconut oil.
• Honey: Feel free to use maple syrup in place of the honey.
• Bananas: Select bananas that are beginning to turn brown and soft to the touch. This recipe uses 1 cup of mashed banana which translates to about 3 bananas.

Recipe Modifications

• Egg-Free Banana Bread: To make egg-free banana bread, mix together 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of water, let sit for 5 minutes to set up, and then use in place of an egg.
• Vegan Banana Bread: This recipe for banana bread is already dairy-free, but to make it vegan-friendly use maple syrup in place of the honey and a flax egg in place of a regular egg.
• Add Nuts: Add up to 1 cup of chopped walnuts to the sifted flour mixture and toss to coat with the flour. This helps to keep walnuts from sinking to the bottom of the loaf.
• Add Chocolate Chips: Bor chocolate chip banana bread, add 1 cup of chocolate chips into the sifted flour mixture and toss the chocolate chips into the flour. This helps to keep the chocolate chips suspended in the bread instead of sinking to the bottom of the loaf.

How to Make Banana Bread

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

• Sift together dry ingredients. It is really important to sift the flour with salt, baking soda, and baking powder, as this will keep the bread light and airy and remove any potential lumps of unpleasant baking soda/powder from your banana bread.
• Whisk wet ingredients. Whisking the egg, oil, honey, and vanilla together separately will help to ensure that you don't overwork the quick bread, keeping it tender.
• Add the banana. Be sure to mash and measure the mashed bananas before adding them to the wet ingredients, to ensure accurate measurements.
• Combine banana bread batter. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful to not overmix, to keep this bread tender and light.

• Bake. Pour the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan and evenly spread it out with a spatula or by gently tapping the pan on the counter. Bake until banana bread is no longer wobbly, or when a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out dry, keeping in mind that the ripe banana and whole wheat flour, will give this bread a darker appearance.

Storing Banana Bread

Whole wheat banana bread is very moist and has no preservatives, therefore, it can grow mold quickly. Allow the banana bread to fully cool to room temperature before wrapping it in plastic wrap or placing it in an air-tight container. Store for 2 days at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

This banana bread can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, allow the loaf to cool FULLY to room temperature. Wrap in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of foil and then place into a gallon-size freezer-safe container and store in the freezer. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.

Recipe FAQs

More Banana Recipes

• Gluten-Free Banana Oat Pancakes
• Banana Breakfast Cookies
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins
• Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
• Banana Cake
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Sushi
• Pumpkin Banana Muffins
• Banana Baked Oatmeal

If you tried this recipe for Healthy Banana Bread, I would love for you to leave a comment and rating below.