Healthy Banana Nut Bread

This deliciously moist, healthy banana nut bread made with greek yogurt and whole wheat flour, is is easy to make with just one bowl and one pan, and will make your house smell amazing as it bakes!

Is there any better smell than that of banana bread baking in the oven? It's just heavenly. The smell of sweet bananas with just a hint of cinnamon in a delicious loaf that entices you for an hour is just intoxicating. I sometimes buy a few too many bananas knowing I won't eat them just so I can bake a loaf of my favorite healthy banana nut bread.

Why You'll Love This Banana Nut Bread

This has been my go-to healthy banana bread recipe for years. It's moist, delicious, cinnamon-y and filled with crunchy walnuts. A sprinkle of raw sugar on the top gives it the perfect little crunch. It's so easy to make, too - no stand mixer required. All you need is one bowl, one pan, and enough patience to wait for this sweet, heavenly banana bread to cook! And of course, it's a the perfect use for over-ripe bananas.

What Makes This Banana Nut Bread Healthy?

This delicious banana nut bread is made healthier using greek yogurt, white whole wheat flour, and just enough sugar to maintain the integrity of a good banana bread recipe. I've tried some healthier recipes that just don't taste good or have a bad texture, while others taste delicious but they are made with 3 sticks of butter and enough sugar to induce a coma. I think this recipe is the perfect compromise. It's lightened up enough to feel good, while still tasting amazing. And you don't need any alternative flours or hard-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients In Healthy Banana Nut Bread

• Brown, over-ripe bananas - The browner, the better because the sweeter the bread will be!
• Plain Greek yogurt - Yogurt gives the bread tons of moisture and a little protein boost.
• Avocado oil - My go-to oil for baking moist, delicious breads. This recipe uses just ¼ cup.
• White whole wheat flour - The key to baking soft, fluffy baked goods that still have the nutritious benefits of whole grain flour. I like to use Bob's Red Mill Whole Wheat Pastry Flour. 
• Walnuts - My favorite in banana nut bread. You can also use pecans.
• Cinnamon and nutmeg - Both are necessary for the best flavor, IMO.
• The usual suspects - Eggs, sugar, salt, baking soda and vanilla.

How To Make Healthy Banana Nut Bread

1. In a large bowl, mash the bananas. Then whisk in the sugar, eggs, yogurt, oil and vanilla. Mix until smooth and well blended. 
2. Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined, but don't over-mix.
3. Stir in the walnuts. 
4. Pour the batter into a loaf pan and sprinkle the top with a little raw sugar (optional). Bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Cool the banana bread at least 10 minutes in the pan before removing to cool completely.

Tips For Making The Best Banana Bread

• The more ripe the bananas, the better. You can also use frozen and thawed brown bananas for super moist banana bread. I actually like to keep brown bananas in the freezer for this purpose.
• Try not to over-mix after adding the dry ingredients. You want the flour to just disappear.
• Use a metal loaf pan for the most even baking. Ceramic or glass ones tend to take longer to bake. 
• I like a sprinkle of raw sugar or sparkling sugar on top of the batter before baking for a little bit of a crunchy top. If you don't like a crunchy top, skip it.
• If you don't like nuts, leave them out. You can substitute chocolate chips if you'd like! 

How To Store Banana Bread

This banana bread doesn't last long on the counter, so I usually store it in the refrigerator either wrapped in foil or an airtight container. 

Can Banana Bread Be Frozen?

Yes! Freeze the whole loaf for emergencies, or a half a loaf if you won't eat the whole thing within a few days. I wrap it in plastic wrap then tightly in foil. Thaw it on the counter or in the refrigerator overnight.

More Healthy Recipes To Make With Brown Bananas

• Healthy Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
• Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Banana Bread
• One Bowl Tahini Banana Bread
• Gluten-Free Banana Chocolate Chip Blender Muffins
• Gluten-Free Banana Chai Blender Pancakes
• Banana Nut Blender Muffins
• Zucchini Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
• Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!

Healthy Banana Nut Bread

Print Recipe

This deliciously moist, healthy banana nut bread made with greek yogurt and whole wheat flour, is is easy to make with just one bowl and one pan, and will make your house smell amazing as it bakes!

• Author: Kaleigh
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: breakfast
• Method: baked
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 medium bananas, mashed
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ¼ cup nonfat plain greek yogurt
• ¼ cup vegetable or avocado oil
• 1 ¼ cups white whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• ½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
• raw sugar or sparkling sugar, for sprinkling on top (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325° F. Grease a 9 x 5" loaf pan or line with parchment.
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas, then whisk in sugar, eggs, vanilla, yogurt, and oil. Mix until well combined.
3. Stir in flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix until just combined. Gently stir in walnuts.
4. Pour batter into greased pan. Sprinkle the top with raw sugar. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
5. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.

Notes

• The more ripe the bananas, the better. You can also use frozen and thawed brown bananas for super moist banana bread. I actually like to keep brown bananas in the freezer for this purpose.
• Try not to over-mix after adding the dry ingredients. You want the flour to just disappear.
• Use a metal loaf pan for the most even baking. Ceramic or glass ones tend to take longer to bake.
• If you don't like nuts, leave them out. You can substitute chocolate chips if you'd like!

Keywords: healthy banana nut bread, healthy banana nut bread with greek yogurt, easy healthy banana bread