Description

This Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread is a nutrient-packed, moist, and delicious treat, perfect for breakfast or a wholesome snack. Made with ripe bananas, cocoa powder, oat flour, and a choice of nut butter, it offers a rich chocolate flavor without the guilt. The recipe is versatile, allowing for a protein boost with optional protein powder, and uses natural sweeteners like monk fruit for a healthier twist on a classic favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

3 medium ripe bananas (about 12 oz/360 g in total)
2 large eggs
¼ cup (60 g) nut butter (almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Sweetener and Salt

⅓ cup (70 g) granular sweetener (monk fruit or brown sugar)
⅙ tsp sea salt

Dry Ingredients

1 ½ cup (150 g) oat flour or preferred flour
½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
¼ cup (40 g) chocolate chips

Optional High Protein Addition

½ cup (50 g) protein powder (as a replacement for ½ cup oat flour, preferably vegan protein or casein; avoid whey for moisture)

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Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Pan: Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 20 cm (7.9 inches) loaf pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly with oil to prevent sticking.
Mash Bananas and Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly with a fork until smooth. Add nut butter and eggs, stirring well to combine into a uniform mixture.
Add Sweetener and Flavorings: Incorporate the granular sweetener, vanilla extract, and sea salt into the wet mixture. Whisk or stir vigorously for about two minutes, ensuring everything is well blended.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the oat flour (or oat flour plus protein powder if using), cocoa powder, and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir thoroughly until the batter is uniform and smooth.
Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips, reserving some to sprinkle on top if desired.
Pour and Bake: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Optionally, sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool and Serve: Remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Then, remove the bread from the pan and let it cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

Protein Powder Substitute: You can replace up to ½ cup of oat flour with protein powder to increase protein content. For the best texture and moisture, use vegan protein or casein powders; avoid whey as it may dry the bread. Flavors like vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored protein powders work best.
Sweetener Impact: The nutrition facts are based on monk fruit sweetener. Using brown sugar or regular sugar will increase calorie and carbohydrate content.
Nutritional Variations: Adding protein powder modifies the nutrition profile by lowering carbohydrates and increasing protein. Adjust your macros accordingly based on the specific protein powder and ingredients used.
Ensure bananas are very ripe for optimal sweetness and moisture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (approximately)
Calories: 150 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 95 mg
Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 22 g
Fiber: 4 g
Protein: 4 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg