Easy Oatmeal Banana Bread

2024-03-22 /Posted byYoga Pit / 79

A whole new take on banana bread that’s healthier and tastier!

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When life hands you some extra bananas, there’s nothing better to do than make banana bread. However, that doesn’t mean you have to make traditional banana bread. Why not add an extra element to your old-fashioned banana bread recipe by making some oatmeal banana bread? It’s still an easy recipe to follow, it’s just packed with a little more flavor and might even be healthier than normal banana bread.

This recipe is filled with nutritious ingredients that are good for you but also taste good. You’ll be tasting a lot more than just bananas while also eating healthy. This promises to be a dense loaf of bread with good texture and perhaps a surprise or two for your taste buds. It’s the perfect bread to have around the house as a snack, a healthy dessert, or even part of your breakfast. Plus, since it’s so easy to make, you can whip up a loaf of bread every week or any time you have a few rotting bananas.

To be honest, we wouldn’t be surprised if this became your favorite banana bread recipe. But to be fair, there are other ways to prepare banana bread depending on your health needs and your taste buds. For instance, there is both sugar-free banana bread and high protein banana bread. Don’t forget there is plenty of competition when it comes to the best banana bread recipe.

Is Oatmeal Banana Bread Healthy?

There is an almost endless list of reasons why oatmeal banana bread is considered healthy. For starters, bananas are a natural source of fiber, potassium, and other nutrients. Also, using ripe bananas help to sweeten the bread, eliminating the need for additional sugar. The maple syrup and cinnamon in the recipe also provide natural sweetness, which is why there is no other sugar in this recipe.

Meanwhile, the use of rolled oats and whole wheat flour contribute to this bread being healthy. Whole wheat flour is a great source of protein, fiber, and a slew of other nutrients. Rolled oats are a great way to regulate blood sugar, lose weight, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Plus, don’t sleep on the non-fat Greek yogurt, which comes with calcium and plenty of vitamins. Finally, if you decide to add walnuts, you’ll have a good source of omega-3s in this recipe.

Not just for banana and oatmeal lovers

As mentioned, this recipe is about so much more than bananas. In fact, there are so many flavor profiles in oatmeal banana bread that you don’t have to be the world’s biggest fan of oatmeal or bananas to enjoy it. That’s because you have the freedom to tweak this recipe as you like it. If you’re a fan of cinnamon, add a little more than what the recipe states. If you want the bread to be a little sweeter, add in some more maple syrup.

You can even go off-recipe and get a little creative. You can throw in a little nutmeg, perhaps some brown sugar, or even pumpkin spice (if it’s that time of year). Of course, chocolate chips and nuts can also add a little crunch. When it comes to banana bread, don’t be afraid to experiment. Always remember, it’s not about the bananas; it’s about everything else you put in the batter.

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs preferably organic
1/2 cup pure maple syrup for natural sweetness
1/2 cup non-fat plain Greek yogurt to keep it moist
1 1/2 cups ripe mashed bananas about 3 medium bananas, the riper, the sweeter!
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour for a healthier twist
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats plus a handful for topping
1 teaspoon baking soda for lift
1/2 teaspoon sea salt just a pinch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon for that warm spice
1 cup walnuts roughly chopped (optional, but great for omega-3s!)

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment. Blend eggs, maple syrup, yogurt, and bananas in a bowl.

Combine

Mix dry ingredients separately. Fold into wet mix. Add walnuts if desired.

Bake

Pour batter into pan, top with oats, bake for 50-60 mins. Cover with foil if needed.

Cool

Let bread cool in pan on a rack. Slice when cool.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Once the banana bread has baked and cooled, put it in an airtight container. It’ll last a little longer if it’s stored in the refrigerator. If you don’t mind thawing the bread when you want a piece, you can keep it in the freezer, where it’ll stay good for several months.

Is banana bread alone a good breakfast?

Banana bread is rich in vitamins and nutrients, which makes it good to have first thing in the morning. However, a slice or two of banana bread alone may not necessarily be a filling and balanced breakfast.

How long should banana bread cool before eating?

Once it’s out of the oven, it’s good to let banana bread cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and eating it.

Bigger is better (when it comes to eggs)

Try to use large eggs when baking banana bread. This will help with the consistency of the batter.

The right bananas

The best bananas for baking bread will be ripe and brown on the outside. If bananas get over-ripe, they risk growing mold or having a weird smell, in which case they should be thrown away.

Serving Suggestions

Banana bread is a great snack or dessert, but not necessarily a balanced breakfast on its own. Therefore, try to complement banana bread in the morning with a smoothie for breakfast. This could be a green smoothie, a classic blueberry smoothie, or even a coffee smoothie if you need a little boost in the morning. You can also look at banana bread as a good complement for an egg-based breakfast. This could mean something as simple as scrambled eggs or perhaps a pesto egg white omelette.