HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY BANANA BREAD

 A loaf of banana bread will forever be my recipe staple. I mean, it is just so versatile. You can have a couple of slices of banana bread topped with some yogurt and fruits for breakfast, with ice cream for dessert, or smudged with some nut butter and chocolate chips for a healthy snack.

One of my all-time favorite breakfast pancake recipes is made of bananas and sweet potatoes. Moreover, I made some paleo flourless sweet potato brownies. They are a hit!

So now I am thinking, why don’t I recreate a healthy banana bread recipe?

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED TO MAKE HEALTHY BANANA BREAD

1. RIPE BANANAS

Ripe bananas are the natural sweeteners those cavemen were blessed with. (Is that why they could handle being on the paleo diet?)

If you’ve got some spotty bananas in hand, this would be a perfect time to make this super easy banana bread. Or you can peel them, put them in a Ziploc bag and stick it in the freezer to use for later (when you crave some banana bread).

2. SWEET POTATOES

You probably have already heard me saying this 20 times, sweet potatoes are my love language.

Here you will need 1-2 medium-sized sweet potatoes that are cooked pretty soft. You can either bake, steam or microwave them. However, if you don’t love the taste of sweet potatoes, you can also replace it with an equal amount of bananas. 

3. ALMOND BUTTER

A jar of almond butter doesn’t last very long in my house. I use almond butter in almost everything.

I love almond butter as toppings. or even better? Bake with it.

It gives this banana bread a nutty sweet flavor and makes it so moist.  More importantly, almond butter does the magic of holding the banana bread together since it is gluten-free.

If you are not following a paleo diet, you can also use Peanut Butter. Because peanut butter and bananas are the best combination. Agreed?

4. COCONUT FLOUR

I tested this recipe many many times and decided that including optional ingredient – coconut flour makes the texture of this banana bread a little more fluffy and soft. But if you decide you prefer the gooey ooey banana bread (almost like a brownie), omit the coconut flour.

EXTRA INGREDIENTS TO SPICE UP GRAIN-FREE BANANA BREAD

I am usually pretty extra when it comes to baked goods. As much as I love to keep it simple most of the time, I also enjoy adding a few fun ingredients to spice up the recipes.

1. CHOPPED WALNUTS

Banana bread and chopped walnuts go hand in hand. They are made for each other. Chopped walnuts give a slice of banana bread that nice crunch when you bite into it.

2. CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND SEA SALT

Fold in a handful of chocolate chips and a generous sprinkle on top along with a little sea salt. This combination will take this delicious banana bread to the next level.

3. MORE BANANAS

Here I sliced a whole banana vertically and placed it on top. You could also cut some banana rings to top off your banana bread.

Since this healthy banana bread is refined sugar free, adding a little extra banana will do the trick for your extra sweet cravings.

HOW TO ENJOY THIS HEALTHY BANANA BREAD

If chomping down a hunk of banana bread is one way to enjoy it, that would be my favorite way.

1. SWEET BREAKFAST

This banana bread is so healthy. It is paleo, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. Just the perfect options for a quick and satisfying breakfast. I guarantee it will for sure kick your sweet tooth to the curb.

2. GUILT-FREE DESSERT

A slice of healthy banana bread for dessert? Yes, please! Top it with some ice cream, The line between breakfast and dessert is quite blurred in my houseNow scroll down to check out the full recipe for this healthy banana bread. 

HEALTHY BANANA BREAD

This easy banana bread recipe is not only so delicious, it is also paleo, gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free.

Prep Time10 mins|Cook Time25minutes |Total Time 45 mins

 Dessert

 Servings: 10

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cup ripe banana ( about 2 - 3 bananas) *
• 1/2 cup sweet potato puree*
• 1/2 cup smooth almond butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 2 tbsp coconut flour

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS

• 1 pinch of seal salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 2 - 3 tbsp coconut sugar (if you prefer sweeter)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven for 375 F
2. Mash bananas, sweet potatoes *, then add eggs, almond butter. Whisk together using a hand mixer or a food processor. Add almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda. Combine well.
   If you prefer sweeter, add the coconut sugar here.
3. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts (optional) to spice up this recipe. 
4. Line 9x5 loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with coconut oil. Pour the banana bread mixture into the loaf pan.
5. Top with bananas or more chocolate and walnuts.
6. Bake 35 - 37 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let the banana bread cool, cut into slices and top with some nut butter, ice cream or yogurt. Enjoy!

NUTRITION

Serving: 10|CALORIES: 243 |TOTAL FAT: 15g |SATURATED FAT: 3g |UNSATURATED FAT: 11g |CHOLESTEROL: 37mg |SODIUM: 323mg |CARBOHYDRATES: 24g |FIBER: 4g |SUGAR: 13g |PROTEIN: 7g