Banana bread is such a great comfort food, and so easy to make – but it's typically loaded with oil and sugar. If you're avoiding gluten due to an allergy, sensitivity, banana bread is a huge no-no. If you're diabetic or follow a low-carb or keto diet, it's packed with carbs.
We have some good news! Here is classic banana bread, leveled up and lightened up – with no oil, no sugar and no flour added.
Eliminate the Added Oil and Sugar with One Trick
There is one trick that not only eliminates any added oil or sugar in the recipe: use pureed fruit instead. Because bananas already are a higher sugar fruit, be mindful that one banana has 24 net grams of carbohydrates. The good news is that bananas are very flavorful, and you can use just one mashed banana in the whole recipe and each serving will just have a handful of banana-related carbohydrates.
Most pureed fruits will work to replace the sugar and oil, but if you're looking for low-carb or low net carb options use berries (blackberries, raspberries or strawberries), peaches, nectarines, kiwi, melons, pears, apples or cherries. Pumpkin puree is also a great option.
Simply puree the fruit with a little water and/or lemon juice, and use according to the recipe below.
Banana Bread Without the Carbs and Gluten
The best way to convert a banana bread recipe is to use a mix of half coconut flour and half almond flour to replace the traditional flour. The texture and taste is slightly different, but it truly does result in delicious banana bread. If you're afraid the lack of any wheat flour will be off-putting and you don't need to keep it gluten free or as low in carbohydrates, you can also use an even ratio of whole wheat flour with coconut and almond flour.
Nutritious Mix-Ins
Nuts can be added for texture and taste, as well as many health and antioxidant benefits. Good options include almonds, walnuts, pistachios, cashews and macadamias.
Dark chocolate in a small amount is also a great addition for its antioxidant benefits. Dried fruits high in fiber such as dried dates, dried peaches, dried figs, dried bananas (how fun is that?), dried prunes and dried raisins.
Chia seed can be sprinkled on the top of the dough before baking to add a light crunch as well as protein and fiber.
With any mix-ins, just be sure to take into account the added sugar and carbohydrates if that is a dietary restriction.
Next Level Banana Bread Recipe
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup of coconut flour
- 1 cup of almond flour
- 1 cup of pureed fruit
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 mashed overripe banana
- 2 eggs, beaten (or to convert this to a vegan recipe, mix two tablespoons of chia seeds into 1/3 cup of water and allow it to sit for 30 minutes and use instead of the eggs)
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Stir together the dry ingredients.
- Add wet ingredients while mixing or stirring until you achieve a wet dough consistency
- Add any mix-ins
- Pour into your favorite Xtrema skillet and bake for an hour (until the top is golden brown, and a fork inserted comes out clean).
