Description
This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Delight is an extra rich and chocolatey treat that remains surprisingly healthy. Moist and flavorful, it is oil-free and gluten-free, made with simple wholesome ingredients. Perfect for a nutritious breakfast or a guilt-free dessert, this easy-to-make recipe comes together in one bowl and bakes into a deliciously satisfying loaf.
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)
- ⅓ cup (70 g) granular sweetener (monk fruit or brown sugar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ⅙ tsp sea salt
Dry Ingredients
- 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
Optional High Protein Addition
- ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (as a replacement for ½ cup flour, see notes)
Instructions
- Prepare the 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 mixing bowl, mash the three ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Add nut butter and eggs, stirring them into the mashed bananas until well combined.
- Add Sweetener and Flavorings: Incorporate the granular sweetener of your choice, vanilla extract, and sea salt into the wet mixture. Whisk or stir vigorously for about two minutes to fully blend all ingredients.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Add oat flour (or oat flour plus protein powder if using), cocoa powder, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir everything together thoroughly until the batter is smooth and consistent.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, saving a few to sprinkle on top if desired.
- Fill and Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and distribute it evenly. Optionally, top with reserved chocolate chips. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into 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 it onto a wire rack and allow it to cool completely before slicing.
Notes
- Protein powder substitution: You can replace up to ½ cup of flour with protein powder to boost protein content. For best moisture retention, choose vegan protein or casein. Avoid whey protein as it can dry out the bread. Suitable flavors include vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored.
- Sweetener choice impacts nutrition: Nutrition facts are based on monk fruit sweetener. Using brown sugar or regular sugar will increase calories and carbohydrates.
- Protein powder impacts nutrition: Adding protein powder reduces carbs and increases protein, so recalculate macros accordingly based on your ingredients.
