Light Banana Bread

I can provide you with a light version of Banana Bread, ideal if you are looking for a healthier recipe. Here’s a lightened variation that combines the tradition of fruit-based sweets with a modern sensitivity for less caloric ingredients.

Ingredients

• 3 ripe bananas (better if already dark on the outside)
• 200 g of whole wheat flour
• 50 g of brown sugar (or substitutable with a natural sweetener such as maple syrup or honey)
• 2 eggs
• 50 ml of almond milk (or any other vegetable milk of your choice)
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• 30 g of coconut oil (or another light vegetable oil)
• Cinnamon to taste (optional)
• Walnuts or chopped walnut kernels (optional to add crunchiness)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F) and grease or line a loaf pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, mash the bananas with a fork until you obtain a puree.
3. Add the melted coconut oil, vegetable milk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the banana puree, and mix until homogeneous.
4. In another bowl, mix the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
5. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ones and mix gently until there are no lumps. If you wish, add the chopped nuts.
6. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and even out the surface with a spatula.
7. Bake for about 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the banana bread comes out clean.
8. Let the banana bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

The addition of cinnamon is not just for flavor but also for its tiny caloric properties and beneficial effect on blood sugar. Almond milk provides an extra hint of flavor while keeping the calorie content low and ensuring the hydration of the dough without excess fat.

Curiosity

Banana bread has American origins, but it has become popular all over the world. Its popularity boom came during the Great Depression, when housewives tried to make use of every food without waste, including bananas that were too ripe to be eaten naturally. Nowadays, it’s a classic comfort food often associated with breakfast or snack time.