Name: Moist Banana Bread - Easy and Healthy
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 12 Slices
Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 1/4 cup wheat germ optional (increase flour by 1/4 cup if not using wheat germ); 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon table salt; 1 cup sugar; 2 large eggs (room temperature); 1/2 cup oil (neutral like canola); 3-4 medium bananas, very ripe (mashed); 1/2 cup macadamia or walnuts optional (chopped); 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt (or sour cream)

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So many banana breads are dry and heavy, our moist banana bread recipe is easy, healthy and delicious! Not into the sliced bread? How about healthy banana bread donuts or muffins?

Banana bread has got to be one of the most classic American treats, close to apple pie and ice cream. The aroma of warm, moist banana bread baking in the oven is a welcome surprise for guests walking in the door. And for those that want a more portable option, try banana bread donuts.

banana bread doughnut with powdered sugar

If you have a donut pan then use it for this recipe, it makes a much better portable option because the donut doesn’t crumble as much as a slice of banana bread does

And even better when you spread some butter on the slice and hand that guest the warm bread. Great for breakfast, after school snack or as a snack on the go.

How To Make Moist Banana Bread or Donuts

Mash the banana to a chunky consistency, once you add the eggs and oil it should look like the consistency in the bowl above.

You will find hundreds, or thousands of recipes for banana bread. All very similar, each with its own twist. Our moist banana bread recipe stands out for a few special ingredients like wheat germ (optional), cinnamon, yogurt and oil. And it couldn’t be easier.

Mash the banana to a chunky consistency. The darker the banana the sweeter it will be

Stir dry ingredients in a small bowl. Mash the bananas in another bowl. Beat the sugar and eggs with an electric mixer or with a whisk. The whisking by hand will take about 10 minutes and the electric mixer will take about 3 minutes. No mixer, no problem!

The bowl above is after whipping the eggs and sugar

Once the sugar and eggs are light and fluffy, slowly add the oil, then the bananas and yogurt. Now bake away!

For banana bread donuts you’ll need a special donut pan to bake the doughnuts in.

Healthy, Moist Banana Bread

Adding wheat germ and yogurt elevates this banana bread recipe to healthy status. And baking as opposed to frying keeps them lighter.

Can I Use Black Bananas? Or What Are Overripe Bananas?

You want to use really ripe bananas, meaning the ones with brown spots and on the way to being completely black. You can use the black bananas as long as you don’t see mold or fruit flies. If the inside of the banana is turning brown I typically toss them.

Don’t use green or yellow bananas. You want the banana to have some brown spots on the skin, even black is fine. These bananas will be much sweeter than yellow ones. If the banana has been black for more than a couple of days I throw them out

As the banana ages, the starch turns to sugar and the inside of the banana gets mushier. This is why you want to use overripe bananas to add natural sweetness to your moist banana bread.

If your bananas have started turning black and you don’t have time to bake banana bread or banana muffins, then keep them in the refrigerator. The peels will turn brown quicker but the inside of the banana will keep longer than on the counter.

You can also freeze bananas in their peel. They won’t be good for regular eating but are great for banana bread recipes. Or once frozen, slice into a blender and you’ll have a dairy free dessert similar to ice cream.

Why Use Oil Instead Of Butter?

Adding oil give the banana bread more moistness

Moistness. The oil makes the banana bread moist. Also, if you store the bread in the refrigerator it won’t get hard like a banana bread made with butter.

We also add plain yogurt (or you can substitute with sour cream) to add moistness as well as adding a healthy ingredient.

The moistness is especially important for the banana bread donuts since they are smaller and could tend to dry out if over baked.

What To Spread On Banana Bread

The classic of room temperature butter spread on moist banana bread is popular. Plain cream cheese or sweetened cream cheese is delicious too. See our recipe for banana muffins with cream cheese filling. The cream cheese makes it the best banana bread ever.

Nutella is always a favorite. Spread on a slice of banana bread or on the top of the banana bread donut for a chocolate hazelnut treat.

Or go with the classic and sprinkle powdered sugar on the doughnuts.

banana bread donuts stacked with powdered sugar

Once the donuts have cooled add a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a special touch. If you add the sugar when the doughnuts are hot the powdered sugar will melt into the donut

How To Freeze Banana Bread and Banana Bread Donuts

You can freeze the whole loaf of bread and then thaw in the refrigerator over night or warm in a 325 degree oven for about 20 minutes. BUT, I prefer to slice the bread and then flash freeze them. Meaning lay the slices of banana bread on a baking tray in a single layer (same for the donuts) and freeze for at least 2 hours. Then place in a labeled resealable freezer bag and store for up to 3 months.

I like slicing the bread first because then I can reheat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds from a frozen state. Then my kids or myself are out the door in minutes with a healthy breakfast or snack in hand!

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