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Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 30 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is a moist and flavorful loaf made with ripe bananas, whole wheat flour, and cocoa powder. Sweetened naturally with honey or maple syrup and enriched with Greek yogurt and unsweetened applesauce, this recipe offers a nutritious twist on a classic favorite. Optional mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts add extra texture and taste, making it a perfect snack or breakfast option.

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 ripe bananas mashed (about 1 ¼ cups)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
  • ½ cup honey or maple syrup
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup salted butter melted

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt

Optional Mix-ins

  • 1 cup mix-ins: chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, coconut, etc.

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan thoroughly and set it aside to be ready for the batter.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt. Set this mixture aside.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas. Add the eggs, vanilla bean paste, honey or maple syrup, unsweetened applesauce, vanilla Greek yogurt, and melted salted butter. Stir the mixture until all ingredients are evenly combined and smooth.
  4. Add Dry to Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until there are no lumps and the batter is uniform in texture.
  5. Add Mix-ins: If using, fold in your choice of mix-ins such as chocolate chips, nuts, dried fruit, or coconut gently into the batter to evenly distribute.
  6. Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula for an even surface.
  7. Bake: Place the loaf pan on the lower rack of the oven and bake for 50-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out with moist crumbs but not wet batter.
  8. Cool in Pan: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. This resting time helps the bread set properly.
  9. Cool Completely: Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve it slightly warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Notes

  • Use very ripe bananas for natural sweetness and moisture.
  • Whole wheat pastry flour makes the bread healthier and tender, but all-purpose flour can be used as a substitute.
  • Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup according to taste.
  • Mix-ins are optional but add delightful texture and flavor contrasts.
  • Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
  • Ensure the loaf is cooled completely before slicing to prevent crumbling.

Find it online: https://dishmelt.com/healthy-chocolate-banana-bread-recipe/