The Best Banana bread, with added fibre and less sugar!
Banana bread is the perfect snack. It’s easy to make, full of flavour, and loved by everyone. It freezes amazingly, and is a great treat for kids after school. It really is perfection.
Why is this the Best Banana Bread?
I created this recipe to be a balance between overly-rich, muffin-like banana bread that is often overloaded with sugar and butter, and super-healthy recipes that can leave the bread dense and lacking in flavour.
This recipe for banana bread is so satisfying for so many reasons…
- It contains added fibre from the addition of oat bran.
- This recipe has less butter and sugar than many recipies, but remains perfectly sweet, light, and fluffy!
- It is full of banana flavour, as the banana is ‘steeped’ in a baking soda/buttermilk mixture that enhances the natural flavour and sweetness of the bananas.
- This banana bread is quick to make, and doesn’t require a mixer. All you need is a wooden spoon, a bowl, and a whisk!
- The sprinkling of mini chocolate chips throughout provides tiny hits of sweetness without overloading the recipe with sugar.
- It is fluffy and moist, with a yummy crunchy oat topping.
- It is made with simple ingredients. A perfect recipe for kids to help make!
How to make The Best Banana Bread
1.Mash overripe banana on a plate. A fork works well, but you can also use a potato masher for this.
2. Sprinkle mashed banana with baking soda. Stir banana into buttermilk. Let sit 5 minutes. This helps create a full-bodied banana flavour.
3. Meanwhile, mix dry ingredients together in a bowl. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar. Add egg and vanilla and mix. Stir in buttermilk/banana mixture.
5. Pour dry ingredients into wet mixture. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Fold gently together, being careful not to over-mix batter. Mix just until no flour mixture remains visible. Pour into greased 9″ loaf pan.
6. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, instant oats, cinnamon, and chocolate chips. Sprinkle over top of batter.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Best served warm.
Can I freeze banana bread?
Yes! It freezes beautifully!
Simply wrap the unsliced loaf in plastic wrap, and then a layer of tin foil. Freeze for up to 4 months. To thaw, simply leave wrapped banana bread on the counter for a few hours until it comes to room temperature.
We think the best banana bread is best served warm. To reheat, just place a slice in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Top with a bit of butter, and you’re in for a perfect snack.
The Best Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 3 medium very-ripe bananas
- 3/4 cup buttermilk see substitution in notes below
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1¾ cups all-puropse flour
- ½ cup oat bran
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Banana Bread topping
- 1 Tbsp instant/quick oats
- 1 Tbsp mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9" loaf pan. Set aside.
- On a plate, mash bananas with a fork. Sprinkle with baking soda.
- Stir mashed banana mixture into buttermilk in a bowl. Let sit for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, oat bran, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well-blended. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream softened butter with brown sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add banana/buttermilk mixture and stir until well-blended.
- Add flour mixture to wet ingredients. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Fold together until just blended and no more flour is visible. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter evenly into greased loaf pan.
- In a small bowl, mix together topping ingredients. Sprinkle evenly over banana bread batter.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Let us know how you like the recipe! Leave me a note in the comments below! And be sure to sign up to be the first to receive new recipes straight to your inbox 🙂
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Yep, this is a great recipe. The buttermilk sub worked like a charm. Will definitely make it again!
I’m so glad you liked it! I don’t often have buttermilk either, and use this substitution all the time. It hasn’t failed me yet!
This really is a fantastic recipe. What are your thoughts on adding chopped dates? Thank you!
Absolutely! That’s a great idea, let me know how it goes! I’m so glat you like the recipe, we make it all the time at home 🙂