Hi friends! Hope you’re having a great weekend so far!
I just wanted to pop in quickly today to share a recipe with you guys… so, can I interest you in a slice of banana bread?
A slice of soft, light, flavorful banana bread? A slice of banana bread that requires only 7 simple ingredients – none of which are sugar or oil?
I know what you’re thinking… healthy banana bread?!? Believe me, I’d be skeptical too. After going through a prolonged period of my life where I was too afraid to bake with sugar or oil, I tend to give the stank eye to anything that doesn’t include those things in the ingredients list – and if it wasn’t for the fact that I had to make some modifications for someone else (my mom… it’s a long story), I’d probably just be directing you to my recipe for chocolate chip banana bread and be well on my way.
Truth be told, I was actually hesitant to post this recipe because I didn’t want to give people the wrong idea… No matter how secure I feel in my recovery, I can’t seem to shake the feeling that I’m constantly being watched for signs of potentially falling back into old habits. Blah. But that is a topic for another day (maybe tomorrow), and this recipe is just too tasty not to share, so how about I just stop babbling for now and give you the recipe…
. – . – . – .
. simple low-fat banana bread .
Ingredients (makes one 9×5 loaf)
- 1½ cups all purpose flour (can also use 1 cup AP and ½ cup whole wheat)
- 1½ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- 2 large, ripe bananas (~ 1 cup mashed)
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350ºF, and lightly grease a 9 x 5 bread pan.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until well combined and set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine the mashed banana, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and eggs. Stir until well combined.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently. Do not overmix.
- Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly, and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
. – . – . – .
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends! Any exciting plans for the day?
I completely know what you mean – I’m always worried if I start getting on a salad kick or if I post a healthified recipe or something people will start judging me. Because let’s face it, I’m guilty of giving some bloggers the shifty side eye too when their blog appears healthy to the extreme. But I realized I just need to be comfortable with the image my blog projects. Even if I do post about eating salads for a week, hopefully my readers know me well enough to know there were probably not not-so-healthy meals and treats thrown in there too. We know you well enough to know you’re a good role model for balanced eating! And besides, this banana bread looks flipping awesome. If a baked good actually tastes good without oil and sugar (and actually looks like a baked good rather than a tasteless grey lump) then why not?
Ahh, the ever versatile banana bread…how I LOVE coming up with new variations and substitutions! I’ve done everything from real sugar to xylitol and butter to Greek yogurt, but never once have had a bad one! Super ripe bananas are so forgiving to a novice baker like myself…definitely helps the ego! 😉
Yum! I love banana bread, so delicious! Your recipe looks great!
Love love love banana bread! I actually have a similar recipe of my own on the blog which is made at least fortnightly – we’re all for banana bread/muffins/cake over here in the SIL house ;P
Our weekend has been JAM PACKED! It was a long weekend here and we’ve done something every single day – from seeing Cavalia to shopping up a storm and even a firework show during dinner in the city!
That sounds like such an amazing weekend! I hear Cavalia is such a good show – I’m still kicking myself for not going to see it when it was here 😕
I’ve had my fair share of baking disasters due to attempts of over-healthifying baked goods in the past. Fortunately banana bread is one of the few baking hits that have come out it- thank godness for the sweetening and moistening effects of an ugly-ass ripe banana ;)! I just showed this recipe to my sis and it looks like we’ll be making this tomorrow!
I actually have some ripe bananas that need to be used. I made 2 batches of the unhealthy version of banana bread, but really wanted a healthier one. This is it! Can’t wait to try it 🙂
Mmm banana bread, I love it moist with those little black things in it 🙂 greek yogurt is a great idea to make it moist, I love how there’s no sugar or oil yet still looks yummy!
This looks delicious!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
You are right this does seem like a great simple recipe, I am definitely going to have to get myself some ripe banana! My weekend turned out to be pretty stellar although not particularly exciting. Just filled with lots of family and a little bit of friends 🙂
Girl, I’ve totally been looking for a healthy banana recipe (my banana bread recipe has lotsa oil in it) for the 20+ bananas I’m storing in my freezer. I can’t wait to try this – and share it with my coworkers because goodness knows I’d eat the entire loaf 😉 I hope you had a fabulous weekend! Any more flowers?? 🙂
No new ones this weekend, but the ones I have are still alive and well, so I guess I’ll let it slide 😉
I will gladly accept a slice of banana bread ANY time. This looks absolutely wonderful, Amanda! Banana bread is actually my favorite thing to bake because it can be used in so many ways – slathered in nut butter, crumbled on top of yogurt, French toast…mmm. I actually have four bananas on my counter that I’ve been saving just for this purpose, and plan on doing a little experimenting tomorrow. 🙂
Hope you had a wonderful weekend! <3 xoxo
this looks fluffy and delightful! My favorite breads are banana and zucchini, so freaking good! Ill save this recipe because my family is having a party in a couple weeks and I have to bring dessert, who doesn’t love a good banana bread!?
Oh how I looove this simplicity!! I am all about easy recipes and I love the cmbo of banana and yogurt – always a winnet. I had my FIRST chobani today!!! 🙂
And just came back from a day at the beach in Coney Island 🙂
I still remember my first Chobani too <3 Hope you're having an amazing time in NYC, love!
We are huge fans of banana bread, especially my husband. But you’re right…it always has tons of oil and sugar, so I’m super excited to try a healthier version. It looks so delicious and super moist. Yum!
So now we have an excuse to top it with even more almond/peanut/…..Nutella? I’m sold!
I can relate to your every move being watched in regards to food. That’s pretty much how it is for me from my whole family! I know they care, but argh! Xx
I am ALWAYS interested in a slice of banana bread! And only 7 ingredients? That makes it even better!!
I hope you are having a great weekend :).
Hey sometimes I want a light cake- it can be nice to spread fresh butter on 🙂 – I really do spread butter on my muffins and banana bread or fruit cake (and a lot of other things too) This looks delicious- love yogurt in cakes!! I went to the great gatsby earlier- I loved it!! It’s one if my favourite books- I was not disappointed- lavish and excessive but wonderful too. Leonardo an Tobey were particularly “great” Lots of love Sophia
Butter on a warm muffin is amazing… especially when it’s a cinnamon raisin bran muffin 🙂 And I still haven’t seen The Great Gatsby. I keep hearing that it’s really good, but I’m honestly not sure I’d be able to sit through a movie that long. I’m glad you liked it!
So I totally skimmed this earlier today and bought extra bananas at the store JUST so I can make this in a few days!! totally hear you on the food judgement too – sometimes if I order a salad at a restaurant my friend (or even my dad sometimes!) will say “Just a salad?” and I’m like…yes? is that a problem that I wanted a salad?? gah. The judgement from some will never stop but I’m glad it’s not stopping you from posting whatever the heck recipe you want! banana bread is my all-time favorite, I will probably add walnuts to this too, can’t wait to test it out!
Oh wow. I love banana bread, can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
x
Girl, this looks delish! I’m definitely making this soon 🙂
I know what you mean about making healthy choices and people giving your the stank eye. Trust me when I say that soon enough, people will turn around and respect you for the decisions you make. It does take a while but they will see that you actually LIKE eating healthy (most of the time!). Stay strong Amanda! You are doing so well <3
Thank you, Alina! I don’t notice it so much out in the real world, but I definitely tend to be a little more guarded when it comes to blogging… I thin it’s just a lot easier to get judged over the computer screen since people can’t see the whole picture.
Looks delish….I love banana bread all different ways and sometimes the simpler the better. Have a great weekend!
Mmm this looks like such a good recipe. I absolutely love the simple list of ingredients too, they usually make the most delicious final products! Greek yogurt is a magical ingredient in baking. Pure magic.
I like simple. Come to think of it, I also like banana bread. Sounds like a winner! (esp if it’s as good as your pumpkin bread!)
Can’t wait to try it!!!!! It looks amazing! How many slices did you get from the loaf?
It should make 12 slices, but I guess it all depends on how thick of a slice you want 🙂
Thank you for this! I lurk a lot, but this recipe is perfect for me. 🙂 I have Ulcers/Gastritis/acid reflux/irregular stomach lining (FROM my eating disorder actually. I’m in recovery too.) and can’t eat chocolate or anything high fat. It looks amazing!
Yum. Yes, you can interest me in a piece of banana bread…care to send some my way? 😉
Seriously, though, this looks so good, and I love how clean the ingredient list is! I’m definitely pinning this one.
This looks really good and without oil? I know when I make pancakes and add Greek yogurt they are still really moist so I can imagine that is what it does for the bread as well.
looks delish – I make mine very similar only I use old fashioned rolled oats mixed with oat bran sometimes in place of flour. Oh, and I add peanut butter on occasion since I add peanut butter to everything.
Can you believe I’ve never had banana bread before? Once again it’s to blame on this not being well-known in Germany but I’ve been intruiged for quite some time now. Your recipe looks and sounds great – especially with the maple syrup included. I’d just have to find a way to replace the eggs – and finally invest in a loaf pan. You mention having had to make the modifications for your mum: I hope she’s okay and didn’t have to make these changes to her diet for medical reasons. (Hope that doesn’t sound weird …)
Having had my fair share of no-sugar/no-fat baking experiences I’ve come to realize that some recipes aren’t meant to be healthified. But as long as it tastes good why not go for a low-fat sugar-free recipe? The few times I tested out those healthier recipes on my parents my mum would let me know she wasn’t keen on them as is and then add a nice dollop of whipped cream or a generous pat of butter :).
Mum is fine, thanks for asking, love 🙂 She’s just making some diet modifications in an effort to deal with chronic sinus infections that she’s been dealing with for years. She’s been on a special diet for about a month now and it seems to be helping, so fingers crossed!
I’m glad to hear that. Hope I didn’t sound too inquiring – it’s just because I know people myself who had to change their diets due to certain diseases so I hoped your mum didn’t have to deal with them. Keepung my fingers crossed for her infections to easen up, too :).
That looks really good! This weekend I am going to run and play soccer 🙂
I am SO glad you posted this!! I also am loving how you mentioned that you feel like you are always being watched, I can completely understand that and it has to be frustrating!! I don’t at all think you are staying away from fats or oils with this bread, and there ain’t nothin wrong with trying out new recipes! This looks SO good and fluffy!! YUM!
I definitely get the eye from my mom when I say certain things which bothers the heck out of me, but I guess I can’t blame her. It does get annoying when you go out to eat with friends or family, though, and you feel them just watching your portions or how you’re eating. It makes me feel very, very uncomfortable. It’s especially hard when you’re trying to put yourself out there again, too, because it’s like taking a step forward and being pushed a step back by the stares. Oof. Personally, I like banana breads with lots of bananas and less sugar because, well, I’m addicted to naners 😉
I know what you mean, but it does get better as time goes on and people learn that they can trust you. I actually don’t notice it that much out there in the real world anymore, but I definitely feel like I have to be more on guard when it comes to blogging. I guess it comes with readers not being able to see the whole picture, though…
I need to make this…TODAY! Oh I love banana stuff 🙂
Looks awesome! I love the idea of using maple syrup in a banana bread recipe. And I definitely know where you’re coming from on the judging issue…even years after my ED, I’m constantly on guard for people assuming I’m slipping back into old habits. But sometimes, you just want a damn salad instead of fries! 😉 Looking forward to reading your post about it!
😆 Exactly… Sometimes you really do just want a freaking salad without a side of stank eye. Or maybe it’s still just all in my head 😯
I think I shall make this tonight! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Amanda!
This sounds great! I make banana muffins with Greek yogurt and think there so good and often more moist than typical oil and sugar ones. I do usually turn my healthy muffins unhealthy with the addition of lots of chocolate and peanut butter chips.
Question! (Because I know my mom would love this recipe too!)
Did you use 0% greek yogurt or 2% (or does it matter).
Looks great!
I’m not sure if it would make a huge difference, but I used 2%.
Oh boy, this looks wonderful!
Banana bread is my far my favorite of all time, I may just have to make some today.
I wonder if the eggs can be replaced…maybe, I shall just experiment 🙂
Have a great day lovely!
It’s definitely worth a shot! Although I found that the main thing that made this recipe so much different from my other banana breads was the fact that I used two eggs instead of one. I’m not sure how flax/chia eggs would hold up 😕
Vegan baking problems haha. I so wish I could eat eggs. Um, I tried over the weekend, and let’s say I didn’t know that after avoiding a food your reactions could get worse. I got hives all on my back :S not too exciting. Might as well try a sub though! I’m pretty sure, even if it didn’t hold up it would still be good, since banana bread tastes good even when it looks ugly 😉
Oops it posted too soon! You know I have the same concerns with worrying that people will judge me for eating healthy or trying to take shortcuts, assuming I’m falling back into bad habits. So I totally get where you’re coming from and am excited to see what you have to say on the topic. I’ve actually never tried banana bread because I don’t like bananas but it’s something I’ve been intrigued by lately and kind of want to give it a shot.
Well you know I have the