Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
Introduction
This healthy chocolate banana bread is a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Made with ripe bananas, cocoa powder, and a touch of protein powder, it’s perfect for a nutritious snack or breakfast treat. Moist, chocolatey, and naturally sweetened, it’s sure to satisfy your cravings without guilt.
Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas (about 12 oz/360 g total)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 g) nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter)
- ⅓ cup (70 g) granular sweetener (monk fruit or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅙ tsp sea salt
- 1 ½ cup (150 g) oat flour (or preferred flour)
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup (40 g) chocolate chips
- ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (optional, replaces ½ cup flour)
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it with oil.
- Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Stir in the nut butter and eggs until well combined.
- Step 3: Add the granular sweetener, vanilla extract, and sea salt to the wet mixture. Whisk or stir for about two minutes until everything is fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Stir in the oat flour (mixed with protein powder if using), cocoa powder, and baking powder. Mix until just combined, then gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Step 5: Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan. Optionally, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top for a nicer finish.
- Step 6: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: Remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack or plate and cool completely before slicing.
Tips & Variations
- For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter instead of nut butter.
- Swap out oat flour for whole wheat or all-purpose flour if preferred.
- Try adding chopped nuts or dried fruit for extra texture.
- If you like it sweeter, add an extra tablespoon of sweetener to the batter.
Storage
Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze slices for up to 3 months. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen bananas for this recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas work well. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing to avoid making the batter too wet.
Is this banana bread gluten-free?
It can be, if you use certified gluten-free oat flour and ensure your protein powder and other ingredients are gluten-free. Otherwise, it contains gluten if using regular oat flour.
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Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread recipe combines ripe bananas and rich cocoa powder to create a moist and flavorful treat perfect for any time of day. Sweetened naturally with a granular sweetener like monk fruit or brown sugar and enriched with nut butter and optional protein powder, this bread offers a nutritious twist on a classic favorite. Easy to make and bake in under an hour, it’s an ideal wholesome snack or breakfast option that satisfies chocolate cravings without compromising health.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 3 medium ripe bananas (about 12 oz/360 g total)
- 2 large eggs
- ¼ cup (60 g) nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- ⅓ cup (70 g) granular sweetener (monk fruit or brown sugar)
- ⅙ tsp sea salt
- 1 ½ cup (150 g) oat flour (or preferred flour)
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (optional, as replacement for ½ cup oat flour)
Add-ins
- ¼ cup (40 g) chocolate chips (plus extra for topping if desired)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Heat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it with oil to prevent sticking.
- Mash bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the three ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork until completely smooth to ensure an even texture in your bread.
- Mix wet ingredients: Stir in the nut butter and eggs into the mashed bananas until fully combined, then add the granular sweetener, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk or stir the mixture for about two minutes until everything is well incorporated.
- Add dry ingredients: Gradually add oat flour (or oat flour combined with protein powder), cocoa powder, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir thoroughly until the batter is smooth and uniform, then gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Bake the bread: Pour the prepared batter into your loaf pan, optionally topping with extra chocolate chips. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool the bread: Remove the loaf pan from the oven and let the bread cool inside the pan for about 15 minutes. Then transfer the banana bread to a wire rack or plate and allow it to cool completely before slicing to maintain its structure and flavor.
Notes
- Protein powder is optional and can replace ½ cup of oat flour to increase protein content.
- Use ripe bananas for best natural sweetness and moist texture.
- If you prefer a gluten-free version, ensure oat flour and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- You can substitute any nut or seed butter according to your preference or dietary needs.
- Chocolate chips can be omitted or replaced with nuts for variation.
- Store leftover banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Healthy chocolate banana bread, banana bread recipe, healthy baked goods, chocolate banana loaf, protein banana bread, oat flour banana bread, nut butter banana bread
