Protein Banana Bread Oil Free (Printable version)
Moist, protein-rich banana bread made without oil. Naturally sweetened and wholesome.
# What you need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups rolled oats, blended into flour
02 - 2 tablespoons vanilla or unflavored plant-based protein powder
03 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
10 - 1/3 cup maple syrup or honey
11 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Optional Add-ins
12 - 1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
13 - 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas thoroughly until smooth. Whisk in the eggs, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together oat flour, protein powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until evenly distributed.
04 - Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix to maintain texture.
05 - Stir in chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips if desired.
06 - Transfer the batter to the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top evenly.
07 - Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
08 - Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- The texture is impossibly tender without a drop of oil, thanks to the magic combination of ripe bananas and applesauce
- Each slice delivers 7g of protein while tasting like an indulgent treat, not health food
- It keeps beautifully for days, actually improving in flavor as the bananas settle into the crumb
02 -
- The toothpick test is essential because oil-free baked goods continue cooking internally after they come out of the oven, so do not overbake
- Letting the bread cool completely before slicing is excruciating but necessary, otherwise the crumb will be gummy and fall apart
- Your protein powder matters heavily here, some brands absorb more liquid than others, so you may need to add a tablespoon of water if the batter seems too thick
03 -
- Weighing your bananas instead of counting them ensures consistent results every time
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so pull your eggs and applesauce out 30 minutes before baking