Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is a deliciously moist and nutritious treat made with ripe bananas, nutrient-rich oat flour, and rich cocoa powder. Sweetened naturally and enriched with nut butter and optional protein powder, it offers a wholesome twist on classic banana bread, perfect for a guilt-free breakfast or snack.
- Author: Lena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf (about 10 slices) 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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 cup (150 g) oat flour (or preferred flour)
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup (40 g) chocolate chips
- ½ cup (50 g) protein powder (optional, replaces ½ cup flour)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a 20 cm (7.9 inch) loaf pan by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it lightly with oil.
- Mash Bananas and Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the nut butter and eggs, stirring them thoroughly into the banana mixture to create a wet base.
- Add Sweetener and Flavorings: Mix in your chosen granular sweetener, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Use a whisk or fork to stir for about two minutes until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the oat flour (or a combination of oat flour and protein powder), cocoa powder, and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until fully combined, then carefully fold in the chocolate chips without overmixing.
- Transfer Batter and Optional Topping: Pour the prepared batter into the loaf pan. Optionally, sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top for added texture and flavor.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes. The bread is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the Bread: Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then carefully remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Protein powder replaces ½ cup of flour; adjust flour quantity accordingly if used.
- Choose your preferred nut butter based on taste or dietary needs.
- Sweetener options affect the overall sugar content; monk fruit is a low-sugar alternative to brown sugar.
- Make sure bananas are ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Storage: Store the banana bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Keywords: Healthy banana bread, chocolate banana bread, oat flour bread, nut butter banana bread, protein banana bread, low sugar chocolate bread, vegan butter alternative