Have you ever found yourself craving something sweet and comforting, but you also want to stick to your wellness goals? I know the feeling well. That’s where this amazing Healthy Banana Bread recipe comes in. It’s the perfect solution for when you want a treat that feels indulgent but is made with wholesome ingredients.
This isn’t just any banana bread. It’s rich with chocolate, incredibly moist, and so simple to bake. You won’t believe how easy it is to create a loaf of this deliciousness in your own kitchen. It’s a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, the flavor is just fantastic. The deep, rich taste of cocoa powder pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of very ripe bananas. It’s a classic combination that always feels like a warm hug.
Then there’s the texture. Thanks to almond flour, this bread is wonderfully moist and tender. It’s dense in the best way possible, without being heavy or dry. Each bite is a soft, satisfying experience.
You can feel good about eating it too. This recipe for a Clean Banana Bread avoids refined flour and sugar. Instead, it uses nutritious almond flour and a touch of pure maple syrup for sweetness. It’s a treat that fits right into a balanced lifestyle.
Honestly, it’s one of the easiest baking recipes out there. Everything comes together in one bowl. You don’t need any special equipment or advanced baking skills. If you can stir ingredients together, you can make this bread.
And it is so versatile. Enjoy a slice for a quick breakfast, a midday snack with coffee, or a wholesome dessert after dinner. It’s one of those amazing Banana Recipes Healthy enough for any time of day.
Ingredients
The ingredients for this Healthy Banana Bread are simple and wholesome. Using very ripe bananas with lots of brown spots is key. They provide so much natural sweetness and moisture, which is essential for the final texture.
- 3 very ripe medium bananas (ones with LOTS of brown spots), mashed (about 1 and a quarter cups mashed banana)
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 and a half cups packed fine blanched almond flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips (dairy free if desired), plus 2 tablespoons extra for the top
- Fancy sea salt, for sprinkling on top
Step By Step Instructions
Making this bread is a straightforward process. Just follow along and you’ll have a warm, chocolatey loaf in no time. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Getting the oven to the right temperature is important for an even bake. While it heats, prepare your loaf pan. An 8 and a half by 4 and a half inch pan works best.
Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This will act as a handle to lift the bread out later. Then, spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray to make sure nothing sticks.
Step 2: Mix The Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, add your mashed bananas. You can use a fork or a potato masher to get them nice and smooth. Add the eggs, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the bowl.
Whisk all of these wet ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture looks uniform. This creates the flavorful and moist base for your bread.
Step 3: Combine The Dry Ingredients
Now it’s time for the dry ingredients. Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt directly into the same bowl with the wet ingredients. No need to dirty another dish!
Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to gently combine everything. Mix until you no longer see streaks of flour. Be careful not to overmix. Just stir until it comes together.
Step 4: Fold In Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the half cup of dark chocolate chips. This adds those wonderful pockets of melted chocolate throughout the bread. The batter for your Healthy Banana Bread is now complete!
Step 5: Bake The Bread
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use your spatula to smooth the top so it bakes evenly. Sprinkle the extra two tablespoons of chocolate chips over the top. This makes the finished loaf look extra special.
Bake for 50 to 65 minutes. Ovens can vary, so start checking around the 50 minute mark. Insert a tester, like a toothpick or skewer, into the center. It should come out almost clean, with a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 6: Cool And Serve
Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it set. Then, use the parchment paper handles to lift it out and transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
Waiting for it to cool is the hardest part, but it’s important for clean slices. Once cool, cut it into 12 slices. Like most banana breads, the flavor is even better the next day! Enjoy it with a little nut butter and a sprinkle of sea salt.
How To Store Leftovers
Storing this Healthy Banana Bread properly will keep it fresh and delicious. You have a few options depending on how long you want it to last.
For short term storage, you can keep the bread at room temperature. Let it cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for about two to three days.
If you want to extend its life a bit longer, the refrigerator is a good choice. Wrapped tightly, the bread will last for up to a week. The cold can make it a little firm, so you might want to let a slice sit out for a few minutes before eating.
For long term storage, the freezer is your best friend. You can freeze the entire loaf or individual slices. For slices, wrap each one in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer safe bag. This way, you can grab a single serving whenever you want. It will keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
To thaw, simply take out a slice and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. If you froze the whole loaf, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours.
Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make sure your Clean Banana Bread turns out wonderfully every single time. Little details can make a big difference in baking.
The riper your bananas, the better. Seriously, wait until they are covered in brown spots and very soft. These bananas are much sweeter and provide the moisture that makes this bread so good.
Be gentle when mixing the batter. Once you add the dry ingredients, mix only until they are just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture, so a light hand is best.
Let the bread cool completely before slicing. I know it’s tempting to cut into it while it’s warm, but it will be quite delicate. Cooling allows it to firm up, so you can get nice, clean slices without it crumbling.
Feel free to add your own personal touch. Chopped walnuts or pecans would add a lovely crunch. A swirl of your favorite nut butter in the batter before baking would also be delicious.
To create a truly Sugar Free Banana Bread, you can swap the maple syrup for a liquid sugar free alternative. Just be sure to also use sugar free chocolate chips to keep the recipe completely free of added sugars.
For an even more Low Calorie Banana Bread, you can look for monk fruit based maple syrup substitutes and use a brand of chocolate chips that is lower in calories. Every little bit helps!
Conclusion
This Healthy Banana Bread recipe is a true favorite. It’s the kind of bake that makes your house smell amazing and provides a wholesome, satisfying treat without any of the guilt. It’s simple, delicious, and made with good for you ingredients.
Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, you’ll appreciate how easy this comes together. I hope you enjoy every chocolatey, banana filled bite. Give it a try and let me know how you like it!
FAQ
Can I Use A Different Flour?
This recipe was developed specifically with almond flour. It provides moisture and a wonderful texture while keeping the bread gluten free. Substituting other flours would require significant changes to the liquid and egg ratios, so I recommend sticking with almond flour for the best results.
How Do I Know When My Bananas Are Ripe Enough?
You are looking for bananas with a lot of brown or even black spots on the peel. The more spots, the better! The peel should feel thin and the banana inside should be very soft and easy to mash. These overripe bananas are much sweeter and perfect for baking.
Can I Make This Recipe Without Cocoa Powder?
Yes, you can make a non chocolate version. To do this, simply omit the cocoa powder and replace it with an equal amount of almond flour. This will give you a more traditional, classic flavored Healthy Banana Bread. It will still be just as moist and tasty.
Is This A Sugar Free Banana Bread?
This recipe uses pure maple syrup, which is a natural, unrefined sweetener. For a completely Sugar Free Banana Bread, you would need to use a liquid sugar substitute like monk fruit syrup and choose sugar free chocolate chips. This is an easy swap to make if you need to avoid all sugars.
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread
This rich chocolate banana bread is incredibly moist, simple to bake, and made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour and pure maple syrup, making it a treat you can feel good about.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Getting the oven to the right temperature is important for an even bake. While it heats, prepare your loaf pan. An 8 and a half by 4 and a half inch pan works best. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on the sides. This will act as a handle to lift the bread out later. Then, spray the pan with nonstick cooking spray to make sure nothing sticks.
- In a large bowl, add your mashed bananas. You can use a fork or a potato masher to get them nice and smooth. Add the eggs, pure maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Whisk all of these wet ingredients together until they are well combined and the mixture looks uniform. This creates the flavorful and moist base for your bread.
- Now it’s time for the dry ingredients. Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt directly into the same bowl with the wet ingredients. Use a wooden spoon or a spatula to gently combine everything. Mix until you no longer see streaks of flour. Be careful not to overmix. Just stir until it comes together.
- Gently fold in the half cup of dark chocolate chips. This adds those wonderful pockets of melted chocolate throughout the bread. The batter for your Healthy Banana Bread is now complete!
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Use your spatula to smooth the top so it bakes evenly. Sprinkle the extra two tablespoons of chocolate chips over the top. This makes the finished loaf look extra special.
- Bake for 50 to 65 minutes. Ovens can vary, so start checking around the 50 minute mark. Insert a tester, like a toothpick or skewer, into the center. It should come out almost clean, with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This helps it set. Then, use the parchment paper handles to lift it out and transfer it to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Waiting for it to cool is the hardest part, but it’s important for clean slices. Once cool, cut it into 12 slices. Like most banana breads, the flavor is even better the next day! Enjoy it with a little nut butter and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Notes
For short term storage, keep the bread at room temperature, wrapped tightly or in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
For longer freshness, store the bread in the refrigerator for up to a week.
For long term storage, freeze the entire loaf or individual slices (wrapped tightly) for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature.
The riper your bananas are (lots of brown or black spots), the sweeter and more moist your bread will be.
Be gentle when mixing the batter, especially after adding dry ingredients, to avoid a tough texture.
Always let the bread cool completely before slicing to ensure it sets properly and yields clean cuts.
Customize your bread by adding chopped walnuts, pecans, or a swirl of your favorite nut butter before baking.
For a completely sugar-free version, swap maple syrup for a liquid sugar-free alternative like monk fruit syrup and use sugar-free chocolate chips.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
