Description
This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is an irresistibly moist and chocolatey treat that is both oil-free and gluten-free. Perfect for breakfast or dessert, it uses simple, wholesome ingredients like ripe bananas, nut butter, and cocoa powder. With optional protein powder to boost nutrition, this easy one-bowl recipe comes together quickly and bakes to perfection in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
Main 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 cups (150 g) oat flour or preferred gluten-free flour
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup (40 g) chocolate chips
Optional High Protein Addition
- ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (to replace ½ cup flour; see notes)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
- Mash bananas and combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas thoroughly with a fork until smooth. Stir in the nut butter and eggs until evenly combined.
- Add sweetener and flavorings: Mix in the granular sweetener of choice, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk or stir this mixture well for about two minutes to fully incorporate all ingredients.
- Incorporate dry ingredients: Add the oat flour (or oat flour plus protein powder, if using), cocoa powder, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir gently but thoroughly until there are no lumps and the batter is uniform.
- Fold in chocolate chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, reserving some to sprinkle on top if desired.
- Transfer batter and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Optionally, sprinkle additional chocolate chips on top for a decorative and tasty crust. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool before slicing: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.
Notes
- Protein Powder: To increase protein content, substitute up to ½ cup of flour with protein powder. Use vegan protein or casein for best moisture; avoid whey as it can dry out the bread. Suggested flavors include vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored.
- Sweetener Variations: Nutritional values calculated with monk fruit sweetener. Using brown or regular sugar will increase calories and carbohydrates.
- Nutrition Adjustments: Adding protein powder will reduce carbs and increase protein; adjust nutritional info accordingly based on your specific ingredients.
