Moist and fluffy Protein Banana Bread full of banana flavor and packed with 9 grams of protein. This easy, one bowl recipe is also naturally sweetened!
Reader’s Review
I made this and the only thing I did differently was substitutes applesauce with Greek yogurt. It came out amazing delicious and moist.
Belinda
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love baking with bananas and this protein banana bread is one of my latest high protein recipes. It’s the ultimate healthy snack!
Me and my kids loved it, and here is why I think it will be your new favorite:
- Moist perfect texture: This banana bread with protein powder came out soft, tender, and perfectly sweet. It’s just as good as my uber popular almond flour banana bread despite containing protein powder.
- High in protein: Each slice packs 9 grams of protein per slice similar to my cottage cheese banana bread and kodiak banana bread. It’s 2 times more than traditional banana bread.
- Naturally sweetened: I decided to sweeten my high protein banana bread recipe only with bananas, applesauce, and maple syrup. No white sugar or refined sugar of any kind!
- Easy to make and meal prep worthy: Made in just one bowl with wholesome oat flour, it’s perfect meal prep recipe for healthy breakfast or a post-workout snack.
Ingredients for Protein Banana Bread
- Ripe bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter it is. Overripe bananas are the best for this banana bread recipe. Choose ones that are yellow with many brown spots or patches. Ripe frozen bananas will work as well.
- Protein powder: Please use only whey protein powder as plant-based protein powder is more absorbent. My favorite is Leanfit whey vanilla protein powder. You can use any whey protein powder keeping in mind vanilla flavored will add sweetness.
- Eggs: They add moisture, fluffy texture and bind the ingredients. You may try flax eggs or chia eggs.
- Applesauce: Used instead of oil and sugar. I like to use unsweetened applesauce. You may replace it with Greek yogurt but your protein banana bread will be less sweet.
- Maple syrup: I love to use pure maple syrup in all of my baking. Any other liquid sweetener like honey or agave is great too. Just make sure it’s liquid because it adds moisture to the batter.
- Baking staples: Pure vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt enhance flavors and help protein banana bread rise.
- Oat flour: A gluten-free flour that adds to the fluffy, chewy texture. You can use store-bought oat flour or follow this easy tutorial on how to make oat flour.
How to Make Protein Banana Bread
Start by preheating your oven to 350 F, line a 9×5 loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Add eggs, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and whisk until smooth.
- Add dry ingredients: Add protein powder and oat flour, stirring gently with a rubber spatula until just mixed.
- Bake: Pour batter into greased loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes. To see if banana bread is ready, insert a toothpick in the center and it should come out clean. If it starts to brown too soon, tent it with foil.
- Cool and serve: Keeping the protein banana bread in the pan and let it cool for 10 minutes. Remove and cool for another hour on a cooling rack. Slice with a serrated knife and enjoy!
Tips for Best Results
- Use whey protein powder: Plant-based protein powders are very moisture absorbent and will not work for this banana bread recipe.
- Measure bananas: Bananas come in different sizes, for best results measure 1 1/3 cups after mashing to make sure your bread doesn’t come out soggy or dry.
- If you don’t have overripe bananas: Here is full tutorial how to ripen bananas fast.
- Don’t swap flours: Baking is a science and all flours act differently. Don’t use almond flour, any whole grains or all-purpose flour. Please check my quick bread recipes, I have lots of banana bread recipes for any scenario.
- Do not overbake: The total bake time may vary depending on your oven. All ovens vary. Over baking results in dry bread.
- To make into muffins: Fill your muffin pan and bake for 20-22 minutes. I think you’ll also like my banana protein muffins.
Variations
This protein banana bread recipe is delicious as is but there are so many ways to change it up. Here are some easy variations to try.
- Chocolate: Fold in some mini chocolate chips or use chocolate protein powder in the batter. Also check out my healthy chocolate banana bread.
- Nuts: Add some crunch with 1/2 cup walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, or even cashews. Mix them in with the batter, add them on top, or both!
- Icing: Make a protein-packed dessert by spreading some cottage cheese frosting on top. Creamy nut butter like melted peanut butter or almond butter are other delicious options.
- Berries: Add up to 3/4 cup of fresh or frozen berries like blueberries, blackberries, or raspberries to the batter before baking.
- Dried fruit: Cranberries, blueberries, and raisins pair well with banana. Stir in 1/2 cup just before pouring into the loaf pan.
How to Store
Store: Once cooled you can store banana bread in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It’s best to keep it in a cool dry place. If you still have leftovers you can place them in the fridge for another 2-3 days.
Freeze: Bake and cool completely, place the loaf in a large Ziploc container, let out as much air as you can and seal. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months and thaw at room temperature or in refrigerator before serving.
I recommend freezing protein banana bread unsliced to retain moisture. If you prefer to freeze it sliced, adding a piece of parchment paper between each slice makes it easier to grab and go.
More Banana Bread Recipes to Try
- Greek yogurt banana bread
- Healthy banana bread
- Applesauce banana bread
- 3 ingredient banana bread
- Coconut flour banana bread
- Oat flour banana bread
- Healthy zucchini banana bread
Protein Banana Bread
Moist, fluffy Protein Banana Bread full of banana flavor and with 9 grams of protein. This easy, one bowl recipe is also naturally sweetened!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 large over ripe bananas, 1 1/3 cups mashed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup whey protein powder, I used vanilla flavor
- 1 3/4 cups oat flour
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, line metal 9 x 5 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add bananas and mash with a fork or masher. Then add eggs, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk until combined.
- Add whey protein powder and oat flour, stir gently with spatula to combine.
- Pour batter into previously prepared loaf pan and bake for 60-65 minutes or until the toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Remove protein banana bread from the oven and let cool off for 10 minutes. Then remove bread from a loaf pan, transfer to a cooling rack and let it cool for another hour or so.
- Slice with serrated knife, it works best with breads to keep them from falling apart.
🎉 Last step! If you made this recipe, please leave a review and let us know what you think!
Notes
- Store: Store bread in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 3 days. After refrigerate for another 3 days.
- Freeze: Bake and cool completely. I recommend to freeze bread unsliced to retain moisture. Place in a gallon size Ziploc container, let out as much air as possible and seal. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw on a counter for a few hours.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice, Calories: 195kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.004g, Cholesterol: 46mg, Sodium: 238mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 13g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ifoodreal or tag #ifoodreal!
I made this and the only thing I did differently was substitutes apple sauce with Greek yogurt
It came out amazing delicious and moist
I’m glad to hear this protein banana bread worked well with Greek yogurt!
Delicious 😋
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!
Hi Olena, what other healthy alternative can I use instead of applesauce?
Hi Daniela. You could replace it with yogurt but be ready for less sweet bread. Or possibly replace it with more mashed banana. I hope the bread will be not too wet, I think it should be fine.
This came out so Gud Olena..
Yes did it in my regular glass cake pan ..
🥰thx…
1 quest though… y didn’t you use almond flour here❤️
Just curious 🥰
Thx❤️
Glad to hear. No, oat flour only.
Hi Olena..
If it’s a cake pan can I bake in that & what’s the measurement i use.. like a banana cake 🥰
Thx..❤️
Hi Sherry. I am pretty sure you can bake it in a cake pan. Check in the center was a toothpick until it comes out clean at about 30 minutes mark. The measurements for a recipe remain the same.
What’s the pan measurement ?
Thx❤️🥰
Regular cake pans are 8-9 inches.You can use any regular cake pan.
How do I incorporate frozen bananas that I have in the freezer in this recipe?
Just thaw your frozen bananas and use the same amount, including the liquid from thawing. I do it all the time!