Are you craving a delicious treat that's also good for you? Look no further than this amazing banana bread recipe packed with protein! This recipe is perfect for a healthy breakfast, a satisfying snack, or even a delightful dessert. It's surprisingly easy to make, even for beginner bakers, and offers a fantastic way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter. This recipe is a delicious example of homemade cooking at its finest – transforming simple ingredients into a truly satisfying and healthy meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup protein powder (vanilla or unflavored recommended)
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ⅓ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 large ripe bananas, mashed
- ¼ cup maple syrup or honey (or less, to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This simple step ensures your banana bread releases easily from the pan.
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Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Make sure all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to prevent pockets of baking soda or powder from impacting the taste or texture.
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Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mash the bananas well. Then, stir in the applesauce, milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
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Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in a tough loaf.
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Add-ins (Optional): Stir in your choice of walnuts, pecans, or chocolate chips.
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Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Keep an eye on it after 50 minutes, as ovens can vary.
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the banana bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents it from becoming soggy. Slice and enjoy your delicious and protein-packed banana bread!
Tips for the Best Banana Bread:
- Ripe Bananas are Key: Use very ripe bananas for the best flavor and sweetness. The riper, the better!
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough loaf. Mix until just combined.
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to test for doneness. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs attached, it's done.
- Customize Your Flavor: Feel free to experiment with different add-ins like raisins, cranberries, or different types of nuts.
Variations:
- Vegan Banana Bread: Use a vegan protein powder, plant-based milk, and flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal mixed with 3 tbsp water per egg) to make this recipe vegan.
- Gluten-Free Banana Bread: Substitute the flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- Spice it Up: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger for a warm spiced flavor.
Nutritional Information (per slice, approximate):
This will vary depending on the specific ingredients used. However, a general estimate for one slice is approximately:
- Calories: 250-300
- Protein: 10-15g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Fat: 8-10g
This protein-packed banana bread recipe is a perfect example of a quick dinner idea or a healthy snack. It's also a great way to incorporate more fruits and protein into your diet. Enjoy this delicious and easy recipe as part of your healthy meals! It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a fantastic addition to your best recipes collection.