Healthy No-Sugar-Added Banana Bread Recipe
This Healthy No-Sugar-Added Banana Bread recipe is a wholesome twist on the classic treat, using whole wheat flour, natural sweeteners like honey and sugar-free applesauce, and ripe bananas for moisture and flavor. It’s perfect for those seeking a nutritious, delicious bread without added refined sugars, offering a moist texture and gentle sweetness that’s ideal for breakfast or a snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 2 medium loaves (about 12 slices per loaf) 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup sugar-free applesauce
- ½ cup honey
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 3 large or 4 medium mashed overripe bananas
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 extra banana for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease two medium loaf pans with cooking spray or a small amount of oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir everything together to ensure even distribution.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, mix together the applesauce and honey. Then, add the beaten eggs and mashed bananas. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Slowly pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently—only enough to incorporate all the ingredients. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to dense banana bread.
- Pour Into Pans: Divide the batter evenly between the two greased loaf pans. Slice the extra banana and place it on top for decoration.
- Bake: Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. After about 30-40 minutes, cover the tops with aluminum foil to prevent excessive browning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the loaves cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Store banana bread at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freeze sliced pieces in a sealed container for up to 3 months; reheat before serving.
- To make nutty banana bread, add ½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds.
- For a chocolate twist, stir in ½ cup dark chocolate chips into the batter.
- Use a gluten-free flour blend 1:1 as a substitute to make it gluten-free.
- For a vegan version, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg).
- Add ¼ cup Greek yogurt or plain unsweetened yogurt for extra moist banana bread.
- Honey can be substituted with pure maple syrup or extra mashed bananas for sweetness.
Keywords: healthy banana bread, no sugar added banana bread, whole wheat banana bread, sugar-free banana bread, healthy baking
