Skip to content

One-Bowl Healthy Banana Bread (No Refined Sugar, Dairy Free)

This One-Bowl Healthy Banana Bread is better for you and doesn’t sacrifice one ounce of flavor! It’s a supremely moist banana bread that’s loaded with only the good stuff you want. Here’s a healthy banana bread recipe you’ll feel great about.

healthy banana bread recipe best banana bread moist banana bread

Super Moist, Healthy Banana Bread

This moist banana bread recipe is busting at the seams with all the good stuff you want, and none of the bad stuff you don’t.

Our gathering of peeps unanimously agreed that this healthy version could easily claim a Best Banana Bread title.

You know we don’t really do healthy baking if it sacrifices texture or flavor. A healthy banana bread recipe doesn’t have to hold back on any of that. This moist banana bread is loaded with tantalizing flavor, with a tender crumb that will have you baking triple batches…

healthy banana bread recipe best banana bread moist banana bread

How to Make Healthier banana bread recipe:

  • Replace butter with extra virgin olive oil or melted unrefined coconut oil (I usually go for EVOO because I love how healthful it is and you really can’t taste it in the finished product.)
  • Replace all sugar with raw, unfiltered local honey. You can also use pure maple syrup if you prefer, but honey is my favorite.
  • Replace any dairy milk with coconut milk or almond milk
  • Replace white flour with white-whole-wheat flour, which is basically whole wheat flour with a milder texture
  • Include ground flaxseed meal, which is great for Omega-3, fiber, and antioxidants
  • Add cinnamon because it’s super yummy and good for you
healthy banana bread recipe best banana bread moist banana bread

Use the ripest bananas ad mini chocolate chips

Oh, and we add 3 whole super ripe bananas. The riper the better. Ignore the ones I pictured here; they’re all I had, since I used up my super ripe ones. Definitely use ultra ripe bananas that are covered in brown spots.

The mini dark chocolate chips are absolutely {kind of} optional. My Biggest Little made us toss those into this banana bread, which I honestly didn’t need any arm twisting to agree to. Feel free to use nuts or dried blueberries for an even healthier treat.

So. Start saving those bananas. If need be, stick a note on them that prohibits anyone from touching or eating them until they’re ripe for the baking.

You [and your peeps] will thank you.

healthy banana bread recipe best banana bread moist banana bread

More to Bake and Eat

You may really like this one, too:

 

One-Bowl Healthy Banana Bread (No Refined Sugar, Dairy Free)

5 from 2 ratings
This One-Bowl Healthy Banana Bread is better for you and doesn't sacrifice one ounce of flavor! It's a supremely moist banana bread that's loaded with only the good stuff you want. Here's a healthy banana bread recipe you'll feel great about.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8
Author: Amy Dong

Ingredients  

  • cup extra virgin olive oil or melted unrefined coconut oil
  • ½ cup raw, unfiltered honey
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 medium-sized very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1.5 cups mashed)
  • ¼ cup coconut milk, or almond milk
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 TB ground flaxseed meal
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp table salt
  • 1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour
  • Optional: dark mini chocolate chips, nuts or dried blueberries work well, too

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F with rack on lower middle position. Lightly grease 9x5 inch loaf pan with EVOO or coconut oil. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, add the first 6 (wet)ingredients. Stir with a hand-whisk until fully incorporated. Add remaining ingredients except for flour. Gently whisk to combine well. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold in the flour; fold repeatedly until flour is just combined, with some small lumps remaining (do not over mix the flour.) Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
  • Use rubber spatula to completely transfer batter into the greased loaf pan. Bake about 50 minutes or just until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few tender crumbs attached. Let bread cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Run a thin, sharp knife along edges carefully and remove bread from pan to slice.

Notes

* We prefer mini chocolate chips, as they "melt" into the bread really well.
* If preferred, you can use all purpose flour or whole wheat flour. Note that whole wheat flour will result in somewhat of a more "textured" bread than the white-whole-wheat.
Course: Breakfast, brunch
Cuisine: American

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @chewoutloud on Instagram

Add a comment

Recipe Rating




39 comments

    • Mel F
    • 5 stars

    Oh man, I wasn’t sure how this was going to turn out, but Amy – dang! My partner really wanted to have banana bread so I tried this recipe and he ate almost half of it in the first sitting and is already asking me to make it again! Squidgy and tasty – perfect. AND healthy!
    I used all purpose flour and used half the amount of honey and added about 6-7 dates and threw in a few tablespoons of chopped hazelnuts in the mix and on top. Also used the olive oil and almond milk rather than the coconut oil/milk.
    Needed to cook it a bit longer, about an hour and 15mins in the end but kept foil on top and was patient with it. Will be my go-to recipe now! Thanks so much 🙂

      • Amy Dong

      Awww, that really makes me so happy, Mel! 🙂 🙂

    • Elizabeth Italiano

    Hi.Can I substitute The flaxseed Meal for flax oil by any chance?
    Cheers Lizzie

      • chewoutloud

      You can sub with ground chia seeds or applesauce. Enjoy!

    • Ali
    • 5 stars

    I have made this countless times, sometimes adding walnuts or (toasted) pecans, or both.. Delicious every single bake!!

      • chewoutloud

      So happy to hear it, Ali!! 🙂

    • AJ

    This is by far the best banana bread recipe I have ever used! I added dates and walnuts and cut down on the amount of honey to balance. Delicious!

      • chewoutloud

      Yay, soooo happy you liked this bread, AJ! Yum, your dates and walnuts sound like a fantastic boost of goodness 🙂

    • Lindz

    I just made the banana bread but outside is burnt and the inside isn’t fully baked. Any ideas? Thanks!

      • chewoutloud

      Hi, Lindz! I do have one suggestion: if your bread is browning too quickly (ovens definitely vary)… loosely tent the bread with a large piece of foil once you see it’s starting to brown and let it continue to bake until center is “just done.” Hope that helps! Enjoy, and thanks for being here today! 🙂

    • Anshul Gupta

    Your presentation and detailed post is fantastic. I am tempted to try this recipe for sure.

    • Kylie wenn (cre8tone)

    banana bread looks like just fine and nice and healthy for a meal.. especially breakfast..

    • kumamonjeng

    Not sure which one to make as there are too many options. May be I start with banana and chocolate. It doesnt look that difficult so may give it a try before Chinese new year. Just nice for relatives to try out.

    • diana

    Omg, this seems so delicious with banana! I’m gonna give it a try tomorrow evening. Can’t wait!

    • Nausheen

    I just love cakes & baking . All recipes are yummilicious…Will try it soon !!

    • Sian Lifts Weights

    I love banana bread and this recipe looks so good! I cant believe its one bowl either, i always end up with loads of washing up normally

    • Lisa Rios

    YUM, I’m practically drooling over the pictures. I need something like this now!

    • Anna

    Such a handy recipe. my best friend would love it, passing it to her now.

Get our free email series: 5 Easy Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less

Plus our newest recipes each week